Today we return to the genus masdevallia, with this miniature species endemic to cloud forests of Bolivia. Masdevallia oreas is one of the smallest masdevallias we grow. The plant shown is in a 5.5cm pot with 4cm leaves and 5cm flower spikes. The flowers are large for the plant and long lasting.

We grow the species both mounted and in small pots and it seems very happy both ways in a shady spot in our Cool Americas section.

We find that the secret of success with species such as this is our really heavy watering regime which meant it coped fine with the hot dry spell this spring and early summer.