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Conservatory Greenhouse

Masdevallia veitchiana

Veitch's masdevallia

A terrestrial orchid with erect, linear to oblong leaves. Arching stems up to 40cm carry a single, long-lasting flower up to 20cm long and 5cm wide; flowers are orange with fine purple hairs

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Masdevallia are a genus of orchids known as kite orchids due to their triangular-shaped flowers with a tail. A compact orchid, flower stems may only grow to around 12 inches in height, producing just one flower which can range in colour and pattern from pale to neon, spotted to striped.
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Peru

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in epiphytic orchid compost with added grit or bark and from late spring to summer, in partial shade with good ventilation. Water freely adding orchid fertiliser every third watering and provide high humidity by misting twice daily; reduce watering in the autumn and winter. See indoor orchid cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division when the plant over-fills the pot

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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