Masdevallia colossus

Masdevallia is a diverse genus as a result of plants evolving for a range of pollinators including hummingbirds and in the case of Masdevallia colossus, carrion flies. As a result the large attractive flowers of Masdevallia colossus have a rather unpleasant scent (although I am sure it smalls lovely if you are a fly). 

Masdevallia colossus is native to cool cloud forests in Peru and Ecuador where it grows in shade with reliable moisture throughout the year. We find pants grow quite quickly in pots of baskets to make lovely specimen plants that flower on and off throughout the year.  


We grow plants well watered and shaded in our "Cloud Forest Glasshouse" with a minimum temperature of 12C although plants are happy to grow warmer.

Although the flowers do whiff a little, the species is well worth growing for its dramatic and long lasting flowers.