Masdevallia setacea is found in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia at elevations of 1400 to 2400 meters. The first known collection of the species was by Malo in 1975. It was found growing epiphytically in cloud forests on slopes east of Cuenca, Ecuador (elevation 1700 m). It has subsequently been collected in the Zamora-Chinchipe Province of Ecuador (2000 m) and the nearby province of San Martín, Peru (1600 m).
Masdevallia setacea also called as The Bristly Masdevallia, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Carlyle August Luer & Hugo Malo in 1978. The epithet for this species is from the Latin setaceus, meaning bristled, which refers to three long tails of the sepals.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA SETACEA ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia setacea is found in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia at elevations of 1400 to 2400 meters. The first known collection of the species was by Malo in 1975. It was found growing epiphytically in cloud forests on slopes east of Cuenca, Ecuador (elevation 1700 m). It has subsequently been collected in the Zamora-Chinchipe Province of Ecuador (2000 m) and the nearby province of San Martín, Peru (1600 m).
It is a mini-miniature sized, caespitose, cool to cold growing, epiphytic species with short, inconspicuous, channeled, black ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 loose tubular sheaths with a single, apical, elliptic, erect, coriaceous, attenuate to the channeled black petiole, mid-vein carinate, coriaceous leaf with a slightly tridenticulate apex. This species is vegetatively similar to many of its relatives in the subsection Caudatae that have blackish stems. However, this elegant species is easily recognized by its relatively large (10 to 13 cm), slender, long-tailed, “goblinlike” flower that is much larger than its leaves.
The Bristly Masdevallia blooms in the summer and early fall with a large solitary flower on a, slender, 10cm long, erect inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul with a bract near the base and a tubular floral bract holding the single flower way above the leaves. The species is quite variable in coloration with very light yellow forms as well as rose-purple. The yellow form can have larger flowers of 18 to 21 cm that are quite open, while the purplish forms tend to have smaller, 11 cm flowers that have recurved sepal edges. The pink to purplish color varieties often have much more reflexed sepals than the yellow varieties. The tails of both the dorsal and lateral sepals are very narrow and a green-orange color.
MASDEVALLIA SETACEA 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 setacea 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 Bristly Masdevallia are grown in 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 setacea 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 Bristly 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 setacea 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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