Masdevallia infracta

A free-flowering and adaptable species with a distinctly unusual floral structure, its fused sepals forming a rounded, urn-like cup from which three slender elongated tails extend outward. Its relatively forgiving temperature tolerance makes it an excellent entry point into cool to intermediate Masdevallia cultivation.

• Light: Low to moderate indirect light with 60–70% shade cloth; avoid direct sun exposure, which can scorch the delicate foliage.
• Temperature: Intermediate to cool grower. Daytime temperatures of 58–70°F (14–21°C) and nighttime lows of 48–58°F (9–14°C); tolerates a slightly wider range than most Masdevallias.
• Humidity: 70–85% relative humidity with steady air circulation; a humidifier or humidity tray helps maintain adequate moisture levels.
• Watering: Keep the medium evenly and consistently moist; water every 4–6 days and ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot.

Additional Notes

Native to Brazil and the Andean foothills at mid elevations; the epithet infracta is Latin for "bent downward," referring to the distinctive shape of the lip. Best cultivated in small pots with fine bark or sphagnum moss, or mounted on cork bark.