There is something tragic, yet very graceful, when the orchid flower has done its time. It slowly begins to wilt and finally become a memory (or a mummy) of its former beauty. Yet it lingers, refusing to give up the right to exist, to remember its former grandeur. Sometimes I almost like this process more than buds opening, in a macabre, Edgar Allan […]
After the harrowing near death experience with Madame La Guillotine recently, the spirited tovarensis has made a strong comeback and is displaying the most perfect set of flowers finally! The delicate shades of white and the pronounced structure of the flowers looks a bit like a corset made with the finest silk – it would of course have to be Venezuelan […]
I have been tiptoeing around my two Masdevallia tovarensis for weeks now watching the little buds grow – but they grow oh sooooo slow!! And then last night I managed to break off one of the most developed buds, the one almost ready to open up! A quick slash, a gasp for air, followed […]
…I have mentioned this, my most faithful flower-machine before. I am not quite sure the Swedish expression “blommaskin” translates too well, but you get the point. This Masdevallia Aquarius Hybrid has been blooming non-stop since May of 2008! This morning I counted over 20 flowers on this thing and I just had to get a picture. I grow this one like […]
…because almost all of my Masdevallias are blooming now. I have an aquarius hybrid that has been blooming non-stop since May 2008! Another, a small Masdevallia guttulata – truly a perpetual bloomer – is working on on flower number 9 on the same inflorescence at the moment. Only the two winter blooming tovarensis are not in bloom right now. We’ve had a bit of […]
Back in April (5 months ago) I decided to start a little experiment with Masdevallia and different growing mediums. Until then I had only cultivated my Masdevallia i sphagnum moss, but I wanted to try goring them in semi-hydro volcanic rock. I had two near identical M. tovarensis orchids so they were a logical choice for my small experiment. Warning: Sweeping generalizations and vague scientific conclusions ahead.
Here is the report on the result.
The control, Masdevallia […]
This little gem is blooming now for the first time – for me. I wonder how it got its name, because it sounds as if it should be some hardcore, heavyweight flower, when instead it is quite delicate. The white cone created by the fused sepals is almost sheer and the deep purple spots inside shines through the sides a little bit. I love the shape […]
I have decided to start a little experiment testing potting media with Masdevallias. I happen to have two lovely Masdevallia tovarensis orchids that need to be repotted, so they have been volunteered for the project.
I plan to place one back in sphagnum moss, like they both have been cultivated for the […]
Today was spring cleaning in the nano vivarium. I took the whole thing apart, cleaned out the watering system and polished the tube. To do that I had to lift out the whole EpiWeb wall/branch assembly which gave me a good opportunity to go over and inspect each plant since that is really hard to do when it is inside the […]
Okay, looked into the nano cabinet last night and it seems like I have a fungus problem on my hands… Two masdevallia orchids, tuerckheimii (left) and guttulata (right) are affected. Dang!!
As much as this sucks, I think I know what the problem is … when I watering water is dripping from the orchids hanging above these guys. With this many plants in the nano the […]