Masdevallia limax is found in southwestern Ecuador. It occurs at altitudes of 1400 to 2400 meters. First collected in 1974 in the Tungurahua Province of Ecuador by Father Andreetta, it was later flowered by Benigno Malo in 1978 and described as a new species shortly afterward.
Masdevallia limax also called as The Slug-Like Masdevallia, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Carlyle August Luer in 1978. The name for this species is Latin for slug, which while an accurate description of the shape of the flower is not a very attractive name for such a delightful little species.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA LIMAX ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia limax is found in southwestern Ecuador. It occurs at altitudes of 1400 to 2400 meters. First collected in 1974 in the Tungurahua Province of Ecuador by Father Andreetta, it was later flowered by Benigno Malo in 1978 and described as a new species shortly afterward. It is a local but abundant species that grows in wet forests on both sides of the Central Cordillera of Ecuador.
It is a mini-miniature sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte blooming with blackish, erect, slender ramicauls enveloped by 2 to 3 loose, tubular sheaths carrying a single, apical, elliptical, acute leaf with the base narrowly cuneate into the petiole.
The Slug-Like Masdevallia blooms in the summer and fall on an erect to horizontal, slender, 13 cm long, solitary flowered inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul with a bract near the base and a tubular floral bract holding the long-lasting, waxy flower at or just amid the leaves. The 4 cm long, single, bright-orange tubular flower has a characteristic “pot belly,” a narrow orifice, which may be somewhat lighter in color at the base of the tube and has short and lighter colored sepaline tails.
MASDEVALLIA LIMAX ORCHID PLANT CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Masdevallia limax like good light, but not direct light. 17000 - 22000 lux is a good amount of light. About 70-90% shade is recommended in summer and 25% shade to full sun in winter. It will flower better if receive plenty of light and leaves are pale green rather than dark green when in heavy shade.
Temperature:
The Slug-Like Masdevallia like cool growing conditions from 5°C to 25°C. Ideally in winter they like a minimum of 10°C in and a maximum of 13°C. In summer the optimum range is 13 to 20°C. The temperature should not exceed 25°C and temperatures consistently above 30°C will weaken the plants and they may drop their leaves. Ensure 6-12°C day/night difference to aid flower formation.
Humidity:
This orchid prefer high humidity in summer near 75-80% and may need a humidifier over summer. Keep air circulation at all times to prevent water staying on leaves as this will encourage leaf spot.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Masdevallia limax can be grown in basket or net pots. They can also be grown in pots or mounted. They prefer a continuously damp medium. Some growers use chopped sphagnum moss mixed with polystyrene chips. Others use a pine bark, polystyrene and coarse perlite mix. A mix of 5 parts bark, 5 parts perlite and 1 part fibrous, not fine, peat moss is recommended. Their roots are small and many and will fill pots very quickly when growing well. Deeper pots are generally used and plants are potted out from being divided into 5cm tubes, 7-10cm pots or 12-15cm pots depending on size.
Repot or divide the plants during the autumn or spring every two years or when they are sufficiently large enough. It is best, as with most plants, to repot when the plants are about to root to minimize disturbance. Huge clumps must be divided as a considerable number of species tend to completely rot from the oldest parts of the clump. Do not bury the base of the plants. Double potting is beneficial to keep the plant roots cool.
Watering:
The Slug-Like Masdevallia will not tolerate dry conditions and should be kept moist but not soggy. Their roots must be able to dry out slightly between waterings. In hot weather they need daily watering but in spring and autumn weekly watering should suffice. Water in the morning so leaves can be dry by midday. The plants should be provided with rain water or distilled water or a very pure water source. It is preferable to provide a humid environment than keeping roots too wet as they are prone to rotting.
Fertilizer:
Masdevallia limax are generally active throughout the year although growth may be slower in winter. Use a balanced fertiliser at 1/4 strength throughout the year; feed at every third or fourth watering. If in doubt do not feed. These plants do not like salt so roots will easily turn brown if over fed. If plants need a boost then a dilute foliar feed can be applied. Higher feeding schedules can be used if the grower masters their culture perfectly well. Do not use lime or dolomite lime.
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