This is a very nice and fragrant little Masdevallia endemic to Costa Rica where it grows in primary forests from 950 to 1500 meters. The description of Masdevallia laucheana on IOSPE claim that is is supposed to smell like vanilla, a good friend of mine swears that his smells just like coconut, but mine definitely has a very distinct Lemon Pledge (furniture wax) scent. The scent discrepancies might be culture related, I know that my friend grows his intermediate while I grow mine cool, but who knows for sure…
Kränzlin, the botanical collector who described Masdevallia laucheana named it after his friend Lauche, the Director of Vienna Botanical Garden in the 1800’s. …and according to Luer we are actually supposed to call this one Acinopetala laucheana now. Either way, it is a lovely plant and it is turning out to be quite a vigorous bloomer – and I love it.
Hi Karma, the accepted name is Masdevallia laucheana. Frustratingly, the names of orchids continue to change as they constantly find reasons (legitimately) to make name changes. Sometimes it drives us nuts as well as shocks us with some of the changes. Kew lists the accepted names on their Website, usually name changes are rapidly updated on their site. You can put in an orchid name here http://bit.ly/iaOegK and check if it is correct or if you want to confirm the accepted name.
Having said that, either way, you have a beautiful flower.
Bill.
Thanks a lot! 🙂 Yes, I know that Kew has not accepted all the changes within Masdevallia that Luer is suggesting – at least not yet. …and like i have mentioned before I am a bit on the fence about it myself. Part of me thinks you should just keep the genus together, but a very large part of me thinks that Luer’s logic is sound… So far I am keeping my name tags according to Kew standards for the most part, but I am following this development closely as I feel that Kew might (as with many large institutions) sometimes resist change just on principle…
You got me hooked!!! The people from Ecuagenera and their great plants are coming to Miami next January and I was wondering if you would be so kind to guide me about what plants to order from this nursery. I especially liked Lepanthes, Masdevalias, Draculas and Pleurothallis. Also, do you know about other “shingle orchids” like Psychopsiella Limminghei? Thanks in advance for your time.
Great to hear Carlos! The more Pleurothallid growers we got the better! 🙂 I have always received very nice plants from Ecuagenera and it is always best to order when you can pick them up at a show so you can see that they have not been damaged by shipping. I recommend you just look through what they have on their website. See what appeals to you and what suits your growing conditions best. They list some culture advice on their site, but you can also look up the plants you like for on google or sites like IOSPE to make sure you can provide a good growing environment for them. I do not know how or where you grow your orchids, and it is impossible for me to tell you what to get… but if I was forced to choose just one of each genera you mention for myself (to start with)… I would probably say: Lepanthes caprimulgus, Masdevalia princeps, Dracula chimaera, and Pleurothallis megalops. I have no experience with shingle orchids, sorry can’t help you there. Have fun shopping!!
Very nice blogg Karma with excellent clear photos!You need to give me tips. M.laucheana is a lovely species but has been a little bit difficult to grow for me.I also have a love of Masdevallia and have a good number of them.
Regards Keith
Thanks Keith, always nice to hear from a fellow Masdevallia fan. 🙂 Masdevallia laucheana has behaved in my care and seems fairly easy to grow. It should be able to handle intermediate temperatures as well as cool, but as with all Masdevallia, it loves high RH.