Masdevallia pteroglossa is found in premontane and montane forests of Colombia. It was first collected by Consul Lehmann in 1883 in the Department of Cauca, Colombia, but it was not published until 1920 by Schlecter. It is known only from the Western Cordillera of Colombia (elevation 1600 to 1800 m).
Masdevallia pteroglossa also called as The Winged Tongue Masdevallia, Masdevallia wagneriana var colombiana, Masdevallia wageneriana var. pteroglossa, Masdevallia xerophila, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter in 1920. The name for this species is Greek for winged tongue and alludes to its winged lip.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA PTEROGLOSSA ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia pteroglossa is found in premontane and montane forests of Colombia. It was first collected by Consul Lehmann in 1883 in the Department of Cauca, Colombia, but it was not published until 1920 by Schlecter. It is known only from the Western Cordillera of Colombia (elevation 1600 to 1800 m).
It is a mini-miniature sized, cool growing epiphyte with slender, erect, blackish ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 short, tubular sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse leaf with the base cuneate into the petiole.
The Winged Tongue Masdevallia blooms in the late summer and fall on a suberect, slender, 2.5 to 4 cm long, single flowered inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul and with a bract near the base and a tubular floral bract. The sepals are yellowish flecked with red, with long, slender yellow-green tails. The dorsal sepal has one and the lateral sepals two darker red stripes at the base. An added attraction to this cute species is its lip, which wiggles side to side with the slightest breeze.
MASDEVALLIA PTEROGLOSSA 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 pteroglossa 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 Winged Tongue Masdevallia grow under cool to intermediate growing conditions from 10°C to 23°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 pteroglossa 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 Winged Tongue 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 pteroglossa 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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