Masdevallia veitchiana

Masdevallia veitchiana is one of the showiest species in the Masdevallia genus, producing large, intensely pigmented orange to carmine-red flowers with long trailing tails that extend far beyond the central flower body. It is a cool-to-intermediate grower from the Peruvian Andes, where it grows in cloud forest conditions with year-round mist and cool temperatures. The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds in nature, and their large size and vivid colour make them immediately eye-catching in any paludarium display.

Successful cultivation requires keeping temperatures below 25 °C during the day and cool at night (12–16 °C), along with consistent high humidity and excellent air movement. It is mounted on cork bark or fine-grade sphagnum moss and misted frequently. Given the right cool conditions, it is a robust and freely flowering species.