In the normal course of events, one would be inclined to say that an old veteran of 22 years owes you nothing, and that a bush that has been allowed to get into this senile state would be better scrapped to make space for a new start.
In the normal course of events, one would be inclined to say that an old veteran of 22 years owes you nothing, and that a bush that has been allowed to get into this senile state would be better scrapped to make space for a new start.
Strong colourings, fragrance and upright flower spikes typify this South and Central American genus. The plants are mainly epiphytic with stout pseudobulbs and leaves which can grow to 30cm (12in) or more in height.
Affectionately known as kite orchids for the long “tails” of some of the flowers in this vast natural genus, the masdevallias are small- to medium-size plants that have single-leafed, short stems on a creeping rhizome. The leaves are oval to long, and mid- to dark green in colour. The slender flower spikes come from the base and may be single-flowered or have several on a stem. The flowers are very variable in shape and colour.