Masdevallia andresiana 'MC5780' × self

This is the very first individual to flower from a flask purchased from Troy Meyers. Masdevallia andresiana 'MC5780' × self, which was Alfonso Miguel Doucette's cross (thank you, Alfonso!). I deflasked them Aug. 1, 2013, and flowered in Oct. 2, 2014 (14 months after deflask). According to the record, the pollination was done in Sept 2010, so it is about 4 years from seed-to-seed. Other siblings are almost flowering, too. They are grown in cool side of intermediate temp (75/60F), and they grow quickly. Actually they are still in the compot.


Masdevallia andresiana 'MC5780' × self, on Flickr


Masdevallia andresiana side view on Flickr


Masdevallia andresiana close up on Flickr


plant on Flickr


Masdevallia andresiana flower parts on Flickr
Top left: close up of column, petals and the lip.
Top right: the hinge mechanism of the lip, whose base is fused to the sepal, two sepals are removed
Bottom left: tip of the column and the top side of the lip, all sepals and petals removed
Bottom right: Bottom (stigma side) of the column

I feel that this type of flowers are quite difficult to take photos of (i.e. I couldn't come up with a good and interesting angle).

 

I have only a couple Masdevallia, but this species seems to be one of the easiest (I think I got 0% mortality from the flask so far except 2 plants which weren't fully formed). When the temp went above 90F for a day or so (I wondered how high the temp become if I put the LED inside instead of outside of the enclosure), it showed slight stress (leaf dots), but it seems to be ok with around mid 80F.

I agree that Masd. seems to be good for propagation since you get results quick. During the similar period, my deflasked Paph (relative of adductum) has produced only two leaves (1-2cm each)....

 

Chad, for the Paph, I think that my pour through is around 6 (bark, sphag, sponge rock). It is under fairly low light. I think I'm not giving enough heat (most Polyantha grows slow or die for me).

Brett, it's in Chilean (or it could be cheap Wisconsin) sphagnum moss about 3cm (very loose) and the bottom part is filled with shipping peanuts. Since the sphag layer is not thick, I can water every 2-3 days (just around the time when the surface dries). But because of the pendant flowers, mounted is probably better, though. For a couple of them, I had to redirect the inflorescence which wanted to go into the sphag.