What is Masdevallia Schmidt – Mummii?
Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii is an orchid which originates from Colombia. It is a member of the genus Masdevallia, which is a plant in the family Orchidaceae.
Two botanists, Carlyle August Luer from Alton, Illinois and Rodrigo Escobar from Colombia, first described the species in 1978.
It is found at altitudes of between 1800 and 2600 meters where it can tolerate cool temperatures, and grows as an epiphyte in mossy forests. The flowers grow singly on a short, branching inflorescence.
The plant has a compact growth habit, with short stems and leaves that are held horizontally. The leaves are dull green and have a rough surface, with pale longitudinal stripe in the middle.
The plant has slender, erect ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 tubular sheaths. It also carries a single, apical, erect, coriaceous leaf that gradually narrows below into the petiole.
Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii is a beautiful plant that bears flowers in the fall.
The inflorescence, which grows from low on the ramicaul, has a bract below the middle and a tubular floral bract. It is slender and suberect, measuring 8 to 11 cm long, and has a single flower nestled amidst the leaves.
The flowers are very flashy, measuring 4 to 6 cm, and many of its features are crossed with those of Masdevallia rupestris.
Its petals have a pinkish-purple coloration similar to Masdevallia tonduzii and its lip is similar to that of Masdevallia rupestris.
It has been observed that single leaves may have more than one inflorescence, but not at the same time.
How to Care for Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii?
One of the most important factors in caring for your Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii is to make sure that it stays moist throughout the year.
This plant likes humidity, so you can mist its leaves during the summer to help maintain a proper level of moisture in the soil.
Read on to know more!
Watering:
In the wild, Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii orchids grow on trees in the rainforest. The roots are exposed to air, and they get their food from the water, sunlight, and nutrients in the air. They are accustomed to getting a lot of moisture from the air around them.
When you water your Masdevallia Schmidt orchid, you’ll want to make sure that you keep it damp at all times. If it gets too dry, it will begin to wilt and die.
Your best bet is to give it a light spritz of water every day or two depending on the humidity and temperature.
You can water your orchid using low-mineral water, like distilled water or rainwater. If you use tap water, you should allow it to sit out overnight to evaporate away some of the chemicals
They like humidity, but their roots shouldn’t sit in water for too long, so it’s important to make sure their pot is well-drained.
Sunlight:
The ideal temperature range for Masdevallia schmidt-mummii is between 12°C and 22°C (54°F – 72°F). Temperatures above 25°C (77°F) will cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off, which can lead to death.
The plant does well in bright light but direct sun will kill it quickly so make sure there are no windows nearby that might let sunlight through during summer days when temperatures rise above 25°C (77°F).
Fertilizers:
When it comes to fertilizing the Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii, you need to fertilize very sparingly.
Orchids are not heavy feeders, and only need to be fertilized once every two weeks during their active growth period.
Use a balanced fertilizer for flowering plants at one-quarter strength.
Potting Requirements:
The potting mix for Masdevallia orchids can be made from one part of sphagnum peat moss, one part of perlite and two parts of pine bark. The sphagnum peat moss provides moisture retention and aeration to this mix. It helps to keep the roots healthy by allowing them to breathe. The perlite improves air circulation around the roots and allows excess water to drain away. Pine bark provides additional aeration, drainage and some nutrients to the potting mix.
Repotting Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii
Repotting the Masdevallia Schmidt orchid about every two years is recommended.
You should repot when it begins to outgrow its container the roots will start to pop out of the drainage holes and it will become top-heavy.
Repotting in the spring after flowering is best. You can repot in spring when new growth begin to appear.
As your Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii orchid grows, its roots will become crowded. It’s important to repot your Masdevallia when it has outgrown its container.
You can repot it by first removing the plant from its pot and gently brushing away any old soil from the root ball on the bottom and sides.
Trim off any dead roots at the bottom of the root ball. Place a coffee filter in the bottom of a new pot so that soil will not wash out when you water it.
Add enough fresh orchid mix to fill half of the pot, then carefully place the plant inside and add more soil to fill in around the orchid, leaving a quarter-inch space below the top rim of the pot.
Then, water your plant with a weak solution of liquid fertilizer.
You’ll know you’re ready to repot your Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii when you see new growth appearing at the base of your plant or if roots are growing out of drainage holes on the bottom of your pot.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii orchid is an exotic plant that thrives in unique environments.
I hope these tips will help you grow your Masdevallia Schmidt-mummii orchid.
It may take some trial and error to find the right balance in terms of how much water, light, and fertilization your plant needs to thrive, but once you do find it, you’ll be able to raise a healthy plant that can bloom for many years.
