Overwintering guide
How to overwinter many-flowered masdevallia
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — many-flowered masdevallia uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
The mistake that kills many-flowered masdevallia in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and many-flowered masdevallia rots from the base.
More many-flowered masdevallia care
Overwintering many-flowered masdevallia — FAQ
Does many-flowered masdevallia need to come indoors for winter?
Many-flowered Masdevallia is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Many-flowered Masdevallia is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.
When should I move many-flowered masdevallia for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water many-flowered masdevallia in winter?
Cut watering right back — many-flowered masdevallia uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills many-flowered masdevallia over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and many-flowered masdevallia rots from the base.