mystery oncideum with possible problem

[ben]

I also posted this on the ID forum because I'm sort of asking two questions.

I purchased this several days ago and was curious to know more specifically what it was. The pattern inside the bloom looks a bit like a butterfly or moth and that is what was originally attractive to me.

FYI, I am keeping it near an east window and water it about once a week. I basically water it until i is running out the bottom and don't water again until it is fairly dry. It is in an orchid mix with rock gravel at the bottom for drainage.

I would sure appreciate any attempts at IDing this as well as any input on best care for it (I might be doing something wrong).

I also have to more I plants I will post shortly.

This is my very first post on an orchid board by the way, thanks in advance.

[ronaldhanko]

This is a Miltonia (Miltoniopsis) hybrid - again very difficult to find the exact hybrid name. The flowers on this are either going by or opened in a very dry atmosphere. Ordinarily they are much flatter. As to culture, your light is probably right, but this likes a bit of humidity and cooler temperatures to do well. I would also suggest a smaller pot. It looks like you have it overpotted. Most orchids do not like to be in pots that are far too large - they tend to stay too wet and suffer root rot. A rule of thumb is to put them in pot allowing for about two years of growth (you have room for about 10 years, ). Hope that helps.

[ben]

Thanks for your reply. Those are new blooms just opening. The pot is about 5-6 inches diameter. I also have a 3inch and a 4-5 inch pot too. would the smallest one be better?

[Karmen]

Hey Ben, it looks like a Miltoniopsis for sure. Can't ID more than that but those flowers are still going to flatten and maybe widen out too. Mine is nicely fragrant too - like citrus.
The cultural recommendations are sound as well - I give my Newton Falls Waterfall as much bright light as it can handle (S-SE window; leaves take a rose tint to their edges) with 50% + humidity most of the year - winter can be a challenge: that is very dry air and usually when my new growths are getting a bit critical an need more consistent moisture, either from RH or increased watering. Otherwise the leaves will pleat significantly. Day temp can get high in my conditions (too high) but nights are cool and always good air movement, even inside. Outside all summer long.

I pot small, yours looks well OVERpotted, as mentioned. I have 6 mature pseduobulbs in a 4'' pot and there is room for one more year of growth and that will be barely enough room (I'll get 2-3 new growths starting anytime now). I pot in a somewhat coarse mix of bark, perlite, and charcoal and it works great in my conditions - I can water the heck out of it with no worries since drainage is perfect. In that pot, full of roots as it is, I will water 2X per week in winter, 1X through summer when the air has more moisture anyway. No problems with rot like this.

One note - I bought mine in bud, it bloomed, then did not the next season, despite new growth. This year has been fine but I think that my conditions are generally non ideal in one or more aspect, and I think this took some time for adaptation in the plant's part. All good this year - 2 new growths, 3 spikes and 11 flowers.
Good luck with that one!
Karmen

[priz_m]

Hi Ben, I don't have any Milts of my own, so can't advise much there, besides, I think Karmen has your back on that.

BTW that is a beautiful flower!

[ben]

Thanks all for the feedback. I've re-potted into something about half the size and it is on a homemade humidity tray now too.