Fairly Easy Orchids – Masdevallia Marguerite

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Blooming, Care and Culture, Classification, Growing Indoors

I define “fairly easy” orchids as those that, while suitable for a beginner, may not be quite as tolerant of less than ideal conditions as the “easy” orchids.

This rosy-cheeked hybrid with the smiley face is one of the attractive kite orchids, so called for the long tails that adorn the sepals. It was bred in the United States in 1982. The species in this genus all come from high altitudes in the South American rain forests. Here they enjoy a climate of perpetual spring, where the day temperatures are never too high and the nights never too cold. When cultivated outside their natural habitat, species and hybrid are fairly easy to grow provided these conditions can be met. They therefore do best in a cool environment that is well shaded and humid in the summer. You can ensure the humidity by growing them in a group on a humidity tray. M. Marguerite has short-stemmed, tufty leafed growths, and produces its flowers singly on flower spikes above the foliage throughout the summer.

Flower Size: 2 1/2 inches (6cm) across

Flower Spike: 6 inches (15cm)

Plant Height: 4 1/2 inches (11cm)

Pot Size: 3-4 inches (8-10cm)