Masdevallia rimarima-alba is found in damp, scrubby cloud forests at elevations around 2500 meters of Peru. This species was known by its common name, the white uniflora, distinguishing it from the pink uniflora - the true Masdevallia uniflora described by Ruiz and Pavón.
Masdevallia rimarima-alba also called as The White Rima-Rima, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Carlyle August Luer in 1979. The rather odd name for this elegant species derives from a local Indian name rima rima, which means talk-talk, plus the Latin word alba, meaning white. The Huancas, a native civilization of the central Andes of Peru, used the leaves and roots of this orchid as a herbal medicine to improve and accelerate talking in their children.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA RIMARIMA-ALBA ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia rimarima-alba is found in damp, scrubby cloud forests at elevations around 2500 meters of Peru. This species was known by its common name, the white uniflora, distinguishing it from the pink uniflora - the true Masdevallia uniflora described by Ruiz and Pavón. This species is found in the damp, scrubby vegetation above the ancient community of Huasahuasi, and it is quite likely that Ruiz and Pavón found both species during their collecting expedition to Peru circa 1778. Despite the long history of this white uniflora, it was not considered a distinct species until Luer formally described it in 1979.
It is a miniature sized, cold growing epiphyte or terrestrial with slender, erect ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 loose, tubular sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, petiolate, elliptical-obovate, subacute leaf that gradually narrows below into the petiole.
The White Rima-Rima blooms in the fall from low on the ramicaul a slender, erect, pedunculate, 15 cm long , single flowered inflorescence with a bract below the middle and a tubular floral bract. The sepals are white, faintly suffused with yellow toward the base, with purple veins; the petals are white; and the lip is rose. Masdevallia rimarimaalba is distinguished from Masdevallia uniflora by this coloring, a slightly larger flower, thick sepaline tails, and petals with a short, basal tooth.
MASDEVALLIA RIMARIMA-ALBA 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 rimarima-alba 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 White Rima-Rima like cool growing conditions from 10°C to 20°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 rimarima-alba 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 White Rima-Rima 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 rimarima-alba 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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