Masdevallia amabilis 'Alba'

Masdevallia amabilis is a Peruvian cloud-forest species, well known in cultivation for its vivid red-orange flowers with bright yellow tails. The alba form suppresses all the typical pigmentation, producing flowers of near-pure white with only a small crimson mark at the column — a pale counterpoint to everything the standard form is. Named clones of the alba form are genuinely scarce; most growers encounter the typical red-orange plant and never see this variant. This is a division of the selected clone 'Alba'.

What to expect

• Flowering: Single flowers on upright spikes. Can produce multiple flushes through the year with no strong seasonal preference in Australian conditions.
• Flowers: Near-pure white, with the faintest blush at the sepal margins and a small crimson mark at the column centre. Tails slender, pale yellow-white. Very different character to the typical red-orange species.
• Plant: Compact miniature habit, typical of the genus. Manageable size, suited to a shadehouse or climate-controlled collection.

Growing notes

• Temperature: Cool to intermediate. M. amabilis originates from the cloud forests of Peru at mid to high altitudes. Avoid sustained warmth.
• Light: Bright filtered shade. No direct midday sun.
• Water: Keep evenly moist at all times. No pseudobulbs means no water reserves — do not allow to dry out.
• Humidity & air: High humidity with constant gentle air movement. Rainwater or RO water preferred.

Shipping & condition

You will receive the selected clone 'Alba' as an established division. Buds and flowers cannot be guaranteed at time of shipping due to seasonal and environmental factors.