Advice for Wilsonara Spacemine Red Rendezvous and Miltoniopsis Bert Field Eileen

[Corsetière]

Hello! Please help me not kill this beautiful plant. I confess that I have had some Phals (of dubious health to begin with) die of root rot and so I am being extra cautious about over watering with this new orchid.

I bought this Wilsonara Spacemine Red Rendezvous last Friday at a plant sale at our local arboretum ( along with a Miltoniopsis). They seemed suitably moist and so I thought I would wait until this friday to water. I just checked them and the Wilsonara's pseudobulbs are looking a tad wrinkled. So I watered them, flushing them in the sink. (I tried to post an image but it would not let me stating ''too many urls")

I am just learning about orchids, so I could use all the tips you would care to share about Wilsonara and Miltoniopsis. I read quite a bit in the forums and it was stated that they seem to like a bit more water then Phals and are sensitive to a lot of sun. I have them on a desk in front of an east facing window ( a couple feet back from the window) and I just set up a humidifier near them. Can you offer any advice?

Thanks!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This photo shows how Miltoniopsis grows in the wild:

Miltoniopsis vexillaria | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

It demonstrates that there is consistent moisture in adequate amounts to grow a lush carpet of moss on the tree branch. Notice also, that while there is quite a bit of moisture, it is also not sopping wet.

They grow in moderately bright indirect light.

Miltoniopsis are mostly cool - intermediate growing orchids.

[vjo]

I loved all the pics of the bugs and buds too. ...Jean

[Corsetière]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

This photo shows how Miltoniopsis grows in the wild:

Thanks for the beautiful photo and the info! I set up a fan and the humidifier has been going since last night so hopefully they will like that. I also considered moving them to my backyard. I have a pond with a waterfall and lots of shady trees so it would probably by happy with the humidity and light conditions.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

For the Miltoniopsis, try to shoot for a temperature range of 40 F - 85 F.

If it gets to be about 36 F, it's fine too, nothing below 36 F, please.

[Corsetière]

Here's an image of the sad pseudobulb -

---------- Post added at 01:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 PM ----------

And here is the Wilsonara plant and blooms. (Pardon the phone photos)

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Check the Wilsonara for root damage.

[Corsetière]

Ok,I don't see anything that looks like a glaring problem, do you? The roots aren't the most impressive growths I've seen but there doesn't appear to be any rot. It did seem dry given I just watered it yesterday. Perhaps the bark medium it came in isn't the best choice? I went ahead and put it to soak in a solution of super thrive and water to see if that might invigorate it.

---------- Post added at 08:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:34 AM ----------

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

There's presently no sign of rotting, but I'd bet that most of those roots are not really alive. Try to see if any of the roots turn green when you water them.

Doing a soak was a good idea. I don't know what to say in regards to KLN. I'm not really a believer of that product mostly because I haven't found any good, solid, scientific evidence that definitively concludes whether or not it really significantly contributes positively in helping grow or establish orchid roots.

Perhaps making a clear plastic pot out of a water bottle can help make things easier to figure out in terms of watering your Wilsonara. It could be that it really isn't getting enough water, idk. I really don't even know what your watering regimen with this orchid is like. The clear pot also helps the orchid roots photosynthesize which could help out tremendously with food production for the orchid.

However, it is sufficient to say that it is probably best to water the orchid thoroughly and wait until it dries out completely before watering again. Depending on what your growing environment is like, the orchid could take 3 days to dry out completely, or it could take only 1 day to dry out completely, again, idk. This is something you may need to figure out on your own in order to put together a proper watering regimen for your Wilsonara.

[Corsetière]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Perhaps making a clear plastic pot out of a water bottle can help make things easier to figure out in terms of watering your Wilsonara.

Good idea! I've only had it a week so it is hard to know what is normal for it. I'm going to check it everyday to try to catch any changes. Thanks for your advice!