Miltonia Regnellii with dark brown roots

[idreamoforchids]

Hello folks, this is my first time posting to this forum, and I'm a newbie to this site--and to orchid care for orchids other than phalaenopsis. I acquired my first Miltonia Regnallii last week, on sale because the roots weren't visible through the pot. However, lots of roots are growing above the bark (Orchiata), and the plant is flowering. Many of the roots are dark brown except for the base, and they feel dry and definitely not mushy to the touch. There are also a couple of dry spots on the leaves, with one leaf being a lighter yellow near the top of the leaf compared to the bottom of the leaf. I'm wondering if perhaps the orchid has not been getting enough water? Or might too much fertilizer be the issue? I've attached a couple of photos. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

It may be wanting more frequent watering. The mix is pretty coarse. That is likely a good thing... I have the luxury of growing it outside, the new growths are mostly in the air because they climb out of the pot. (This is one that really lends itself to mounting since its growth habit is upward... it really wants to climb trees). It doesn't need a lot of fertilizer (as is the case with most orchids). Mine are rather yellow (likely under-fertilized) , and bloom profusely anyway. But since the roots don't want to stay in the medium, they do need to be watered often, almost like a mounted plant.

[Waterdog111]

Sounds like excellent advice to me. And I also welcome you to the board,heres hoping you love it here, and get all the help and everything you need. I have two Miltonopsis but of a different kind. I think most are more cool prefering than Philonopsis. Anyone else might elaborate this, but living in Tex. I keep mine inside where it stays under the airconditioner.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Waterdog111

Sounds like excellent advice to me. And I also welcome you to the board,heres hoping you love it here, and get all the help and everything you need. I have two Miltonopsis but of a different kind. I think most are more cool prefering than Philonopsis. Anyone else might elaborate this, but living in Tex. I keep mine inside where it stays airconditioned.

Miltonia is not the same as Miltoniopsis ("pansy orchid"). I have found Miltonia (several species) a lot easier to grow, being tolerant of a wider temperature range. Miltonia is much more likely to also be involved in intergeneric Oncidium-tribe hybrids, contributing star-shaped form and interesting color patterns.

The OP is in Canada. Depending on which part of Canada, the Milt. regnelii may do quite nicely outside when temperatures are above 45 deg F/ 7 deg C. Heat is unlikely to be a problem.

[Waterdog111]

Mine are Miltoniopsis Lila Fearneyhough ‘Ethel’, so I’m thinking this being a hybred is totally different than, Miltonia? Sorry I’m the one most confused.
I just hope Idreamoforchids will forgive me for butting into their thread.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by idreamoforchids

Hello folks, this is my first time posting to this forum, and I'm a newbie to this site--and to orchid care for orchids other than phalaenopsis. I acquired my first Miltonia Regnallii last week, on sale because the roots weren't visible through the pot. However, lots of roots are growing above the bark (Orchiata), and the plant is flowering. Many of the roots are dark brown except for the base, and they feel dry and definitely not mushy to the touch. There are also a couple of dry spots on the leaves, with one leaf being a lighter yellow near the top of the leaf compared to the bottom of the leaf. I'm wondering if perhaps the orchid has not been getting enough water? Or might too much fertilizer be the issue? I've attached a couple of photos. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Welcome to the OB.

Please, when posting pictures of plants with blooms, post an image of the flowers, as well. We love seeing them.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Miltonia and Miltoniopsis are different orchid genera. It's even more confusing because at one time the pansy faced orchids, Miltoniopsis, were included in Miltonia. Then they were split off into a separate genus.

Go to orchidspecies.com and look at the different Miltonia species. Then look at the different Miltoniopsis species. Pay attention to the information on light and temperature requirements.

[idreamoforchids]

Hello everyone,

You folks are awesome in being so welcoming and thoughtful in your responses. Thank you! I've attached a photo of the blooms.

You've anticipated my question about Miltonia vs. Miltoniopsis. My understanding is that my Miltonia would do well in a warmer space than would a Miltoniopsis, and that Miltonias may be more forgiving of their custodian's lapses in care. That is a good thing, given that I'm new at this. In answer to the points about Canadian climate, it would be great if I were in a temperate place like the Southern part of British Columbia. But I'm in the Prairies (translation: long, cold Winters). So bringing my Miltonia outside-except perhaps in a small window of time in the summer, is probably a non-starter. ~ Jessica

[Roberta]

First, that's beautiful! It is the aurea form of the species - yellow petals, so really nice contrast to the lip. (The typical form has more cream-colored petals, nice but not as dramatic... I grow and love both).

In your northern winter, give it as much light as you can manage. If you use supplemental lighting on your orchids, even better. (Extending light duration is beneficial - don't need or want much intensity) And it can be fine near a window where it gets cool, save the warm spots for the Phals. (My Milt regnelii plants experience winter night temperatures down to 4 C or occasionally lower, and do just fine, but winter days do get up to 15-20 C. So I would not call this one exactly "warm growing" It doesn't require chill but it tolerates it no problem.) It really IS a very forgiving species.

[idreamoforchids]

Thanks for all of the encouragement and advice. Here's a photo of a fresh and healthy looking root that recently appeared on my Miltonia Regnallii. The new root is at about the 5 o'clock position in the pic. Things are going pretty well, I'd say. Fingers crossed that they continue to do so!