A Legendary Masdevallia Orchid
It only takes one look at this orchid to understand why it’s nicknamed the King of the Masdevallias, and is considered a national treasure of Peru. I bought this plant at last winter’s Pacific Orchid Expo, and was thrilled when it recently opened its first bloom, a brilliant orange flower with tiny purple hairs which glisten in the sun. My photos don’t do it justice.
Masdevallia veitchiana is native to the high Andes of Peru, including the cloud forests of Machu Picchu. It’s called gallo-gallo in Spanish, and waqanki in Quechua. The Incas cultivated this species, and venerated it in a legend. I’ve read several versions of the story, which revolves around an Incan princess who fell in love with a soldier. Her father forbid her to marry him, and these flowers grew where her tears fell. In Quechua, waqanki means “you will cry.”
The King of the Masdevallias lives up to 13,000 feet (4000 m) in the Andes. In its native habitat, it can handle warm days, but wants a big temperature drop at night, often swinging from 40°F to 80°F (4.4°C to 26.7°C) daily. Unlike other Masdevallias, it prefers full morning sun. Mine is growing outdoors with sun-loving Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums, and Epidendrums, rather than with its shade-loving pleurothallid cousins. Regular watering, constant high humidity, and good air flow are essential. With luck, I can keep my plant happy, and coax more blooms from this legendary orchid.
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