Masdevallia paiveana is a lovely species native to Peru and Bolivia where it is found as an epiphyte in cool wet woodland around 2500m altitude. The flowers are produced throughout the year and very pretty with pink hairs on white sepals.

We have two distinct clones of the species. This clone (above) forms a neat little plant with 7cm leaves and attractive flowers produced on and off throughout the year. The second clone is even more hairy but with otherwise identical flowers (below) but is a much more vigorous plant with larger leaves.

Plants have a scrambling habit and as a strong grower and soon forms a large plant.

We find that the first clone does well in a small pot or a basket, where as the second clone does much better in a basket to suit its scrambling habit.