Some of the most beautiful and of the minature orchids are found in this category.  Most are Intermediate to Cool Growing species from South and Central America.  Most grow low in the forest well below the canopy and as such they do require much light and some never actually see direct sunlight.  They do not have pseudobulbs and must not allowed to dry out too much althought they do like well-drained mix.  A good mix  that works for most Masdevallia will usually require watering once every 5 days in winter and every 2-3 days in summer.  In all cases don't water if the media is still wet. Masevallia are good candidates for under lights culture or culture in a terrerium.  They can also be grown on the windowsill but measures must be taken to keep the humidity high.  Summers can be challanging especially if the temps go above 85 deg F.  Usually a remedy for high temp is to keep them in lower light.  The root zone can be kept cooler if the plants are established in small clay pots.  The moisture evaporating through the clay pot will evaporate and keep the root zone slightly cooler than when growing in plastic pots.

Fertilizer;
They require very low concentrations of fertilizer once or twice a months.  Collected Rain water is best or RO water as the mineral content is lower.

Temps
55-60 seems to suit them best at night with temps in the 70's during the day.  We have found that many of the hybrids can be easily grown outside this range with no ill effect; however, optimum condions results in faster growing and better blooming plants.