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Post by Avery on May 7, 2015 22:08:13 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
I'm just wondering what your experiences are with growing Masdevallia under fluorescent lighting? I just bought a Masdevallia ampullacea from a local orchid show, and was hoping to mount it on one of my "moss walls" in my terrarium, along with my other Masdevallia. Temperatures are around 20-23 C for the daytime, and around 10 C at night. They have strong air circulation 24-7 (with some ventilation), high humidity, and a misting system that gives them good moisture, but their roots don't stay soggy. My main concern is that they're under 8x T5HO's, which is pretty strong lighting. Will this be a problem?
Keep in mind that I have a Dracula lotax, as well as a couple of other Masdevallia's (M. kimballiana, M. 'Prince Charming') that used to develop black spotting on the leaves. Since I built my cooling system, the black spotting has dissipated and they appear quite healthy (the D. lotax has bloomed several times, but I've never bloomed the Masdevallia's). My confusion is that when I installed the cooling system, I also moved them below a large Nepenthes ventricosa, so they were partly shaded. Therefore, I'm not sure what is responsible for the improvements- the lower light levels or the significantly lower (and more consistent) temperatures...
To get to the point- will Masdevallia/Dracula orchids survive/thrive in high light levels as long as temperatures stay cool/adequate air circulation is provided/they don't stay soggy/they're fertilized regularly? It would sure make my terrarium setup much more flexible.
Thanks!!
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Post by H2O on May 7, 2015 22:35:30 GMT -5
Everything in your setup sounds perfect for Masd. except the light as you are worried about. If Nepenthes are growing well and colourful then it is going to be too bright for Masd. put it into the lowest light section and hope for the best. With good temps, humidity and a little fertilizer they will be able to handle slightly brighter light. Towards the end of the lights will be less intense as well. Give it enough time and you'll just have to make a new terrarium just for the cold orchids You should look into getting some Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, they are "difficult" to grow but you have the perfect conditions for them. Cool, humid, good air flow and unlike the Masd. likes bright light. I have a couple friends that I could put you in contact with if you did want one.
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Post by Avery on May 7, 2015 22:57:43 GMT -5
Thanks Justin!
That's unfortunate, but good to know. I'm not sure about the Dendrobium. They're not "out there" enough for me... Haha. I did however pick up a Dinema polybulbon at the same show- and from what I've read they're more appropriate for my setup. Unless I'm wrong about that?
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Post by Avery on May 9, 2015 2:10:32 GMT -5
^^ I take back what I said about Dendrobium cuthbertsonii. It really is a pretty orchid.
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Post by Apoplast on May 9, 2015 8:55:47 GMT -5
Hi Avery - A little off topic, so I apologize for that, but what are you using that gets your temps consistently down to 10 at night?! That's awesome, and something I'd like to be able to replicate.
Good luck with the new Masd!
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Post by H2O on May 9, 2015 12:20:33 GMT -5
D. cuthbersonii is a holy grail for many growers, it has a fairly large cult following I grow the warmer growing species that are related. Flowers that last 6-9 months is a major bonus. You can also get it in so many colours.
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Post by Avery on May 11, 2015 14:46:28 GMT -5
what are you using that gets your temps consistently down to 10 at night?! Apoplast, Sorry for the late response. Next to my terrarium I have a small chest freezer with a large plastic bin full of anti-freeze/water sitting inside. I have a day/night thermostat hooked up to a quiet little pond pump that pumps anti-freeze from inside the chest freezer to a home made copper radiator inside the terrarium, and back again. It's a looped system, so I never have to worry about re-priming the pump. During the day, it just kicks on when the temps get to around 23-24C, and shuts off once they're down to 20C. Once the lights go off, it just keeps circulating until the terrarium is cooled down to 10C. There are a couple of small fans blowing air across the copper radiator inside the terrarium which makes it much more efficient. I hope this makes sense. If you have any questions just ask!
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Post by H2O on May 11, 2015 15:29:10 GMT -5
I love that idea. My old HL terrarium used a premade computer rad. Although it worked, I found it got really clogged up with condensation and the fan had a hard time pushing air through. It would also get algae because of the high light and condensation.
How big in the homemade rad? You could make it any size you wanted eh? Do you have a can running across the rad to help with cooling?
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Post by Apoplast on May 11, 2015 22:10:32 GMT -5
Hi Avery - Thanks for the reply! No need to apologize, despite my best efforts I only get on here every few days anyhow. Wow, that sounds like a serious DIY setup! I'd love to see a photo if you ever get a chance.
I think for now I am going to have to stick with my dual exhaust A/C unit for the room (I've got other HL tropicals in there too). It will only get me down to about 17 at night, but that might have to do for now.
Someday, I dream of having a conservatory (local regulations stipulate that a "conservatory" is acceptable in residential zones, but "greenhouses" are strictly commercial structures - you can get a permit if you call it one thing but not the other), with an air washing system to keep the entire room humid and able to get down to 10 at night. What a dream!
For now, I might just have to dream of a setup like yours. Thanks for sharing the details! One of the things I love about CP growers is that they are excellent at building apparatus. Creating life-support systems for our plants seems to be part of the fun. Well it is for me a bit, and I envy you, yours.
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Post by Avery on May 11, 2015 23:49:03 GMT -5
H2O- My radiator sits in the back right-hand corner of my terrarium. You could totally build it any size you wanted really. Copper tubing is surprisingly simple to work with (my first time), and with your soldering skills it would be a breeze! My Masdevallia's are actually mounted and hanging off of the radiator, and when my Nepenthes villosa's come in, they'll be sitting right beside it. It's easy to adjust temperatures according to species. The ones that really need cold will be right beside the radiator, and others will be positioned according to their requirements. That being said, the whole terrarium air temperature cools down to 10C, but I'm thinking sitting right beside the radiator will get those N. villosa pots quite a bit cooler. Also, because the reservoir in the freezer is so large, I don't have to worry about warm water sitting in the lines "diluting" (?) the temperature of the coolant too much. All in all it provides very stable temperatures, which is perfect for these plants. And yes, there are two fans blowing air across the rad. I have four fans total in my terrarium. All four run during the day, and at night, the two stronger ones kick off, leaving two smaller ones to blow air across the radiator. So far it's been very effective.
Apoplast- I'll be happy to get you some photos. There are a couple photos in my terrarium thread, but I can take some that explain my system a bit better. What is this air washing system you speak of? I'm intrigued. I'm with you on the conservatory. My dream as well... The challenge of growing these plants is part of the fun. When my N. villosa's died last summer, it was very disappointing, but I was also determined to give them another go, and I'm hoping that this particular system will prove successful.
My next challenge will be space. I'm really considering trying to "bonsai" my Nepenthes, but we'll see. I've been trying to stick with more compact species, but of course they all tend to get large...
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Post by Apoplast on May 12, 2015 8:42:47 GMT -5
Hi Avery - I think I found the part of the thread you are talking about: ocps.proboards.com/thread/5832/new-terrarium?page=8It looks really great! As to not hijack this thread about your orchids further, I'll post any questions I have about it on the other thread. I can explain the airwasher there too if you prefer. Your threads, your call. I could also start another thread explain air washers as they relate to cooling for plants.
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Post by jjspm on May 27, 2016 19:38:55 GMT -5
I can never get success with masdevallias no matter how hard I try lol I should try that chest freezer trick!
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