Masdevallia 



will prove, if tested, to be several dej^rees less cold 

 than the other, because nearer to the furnace, per- 

 haps, or for some occult reason. That may pro- 

 bably be just the temperature wanted for species 

 which exact a trifle more heat in winter. A mini- 

 mum of 50" suffices for them. 



No Masdevallia in cultivation will bear hot 

 sunshine. 



They grow in moss and peat — not more than 

 sufficient to keep the roots moist — and a very damp 

 atmosphere all the year round ; in fact, the Odon- 

 toglossum house is altogether suited to their needs, 

 if it be kept at a minimum of 50°. 



The Harrycma group and many others do best 

 in pans, not pots. It is hard to understand why 

 the depth of the vessel in which they grow should 

 make a difference when it is filled with crocks pro- 

 portionately ; but experience proves that it does, 

 somehow. The warmer species, however, have 

 pendent blooms, and they should be planted in 

 baskets. I distinguish these in each case. 



In summer, Masdevallias must be always wet, and 

 in winter they cannot be allowed to dry up. Some, 

 indeed, must be distinctly moist the year round, 

 even of those which grow in pans. As this is 

 vastly important, I affix the warning " Always 

 moist " in such instances. 



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