Leaves on milt. and onc. look unhappy

[Irisha99]

Hi guys. Three days ago I received a miltoniopsis and oncidium in spike from Hausermann. The new growth on miltoniopsis is yellowing. I did repot it right after I received it in medium fir bark mixed with perlite and charcoal. It’s near an east facing window. The room temperature is about 70F, humidity around 30-40%. I put some water in the decorative pot that it’s in; water isn’t touching the medium. I watered it once since I acquired it. The oncidium is in spike and has new growth that looks a bit whitish so not sure if it should be this color. I don’t know the condition of it’s roots or what it’s potted in since from the recommendations I have received here I decided to wait with repotting until it’s done blooming. It’s in the east facing window too. Humidity 30-40% water it every other day since it looks like it has a lot of roots and not much medium in the pot. Am I doing something wrong or it’s a normal occurrence given the new surroundings/ reporting etc. thank you!!

[orion141]

Was it shipped to you? And do you live in a cold climate?

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by orion141

Was it shipped to you? And do you live in a cold climate?

Yes, it was shipped to me. Received it almost 3 days ago. I live in NYC it’s 39F outside. When I received it, it only stayed outside for about 40minutes. I received a delivery notice from UPS and rushed home to take it inside. In the house it’s 68F now.

[JScott]

I don't see anything that looks concerning. When you say that the new growth on the Milt. is yellowing, are you referring to that little yellow leaf in the first picture? I don't think that's a new growth. I think that is one of the outer leaves from an older growth. I think that leaf goes with that tiny little pseudobulb in the back, and it is normal for older leaves to yellow and fall off, and usually the outer leaves that wrap around the sides of the pseudobulbs will die first.

It sounds like you are doing everything right. The humidity is a little low, but not terribly low, and I've found that plants will adjust to lower humidity if you give them time. I think you should just relax and give them time to settle in to their new home, but certainly let us know if anything changes and you are worried.

Also, the medium that you repotted that in is coarser than what I prefer for my Oncidium-type plants. It's fine, but just remember that you will have to water more often than you would in a finer medium.

Also, sometimes new growths will come out a little pale, and they will green up once they get up to the sun and develop their chlorophyll better.

[Dollythehun]

I live near Hausermann's. Until yesterday, our weather was fine going out. I wouldn't worry too much about these, just keep an eye on them. It could just be changing conditions. I have an Oncidium doing much the same.

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I live near Hausermann's. Until yesterday, our weather was fine going out. I wouldn't worry too much about these, just keep an eye on them. It could just be changing conditions. I have an Oncidium doing much the same.

I envy you living so close to Hausermann’s, I probably would be visiting daily😝 thanks for your support

---------- Post added at 09:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 PM ----------

Originally Posted by JScott

I don't see anything that looks concerning. When you say that the new growth on the Milt. is yellowing, are you referring to that little yellow leaf in the first picture? I don't think that's a new growth. I think that is one of the outer leaves from an older growth. I think that leaf goes with that tiny little pseudobulb in the back, and it is normal for older leaves to yellow and fall off, and usually the outer leaves that wrap around the sides of the pseudobulbs will die first.

It sounds like you are doing everything right. The humidity is a little low, but not terribly low, and I've found that plants will adjust to lower humidity if you give them time. I think you should just relax and give them time to settle in to their new home, but certainly let us know if anything changes and you are worried.

I thought that new pseudobulb was the new growth, I guess I was wrong. Thank you for the peace of mind. I hope I develop a successful relationship with these two guys. Does water under the pot help increase humidity a little? Do I need to fertilize either one of them at this point or should I wait until new growth? I have 20-20-20 fertilizer (urea free). Do you think watering miltoniopsis ~5 days is going to be sufficient? Thanks again!

[Dollythehun]

I some times leave a little water in my saucers but not so they are standing in it. It probably does as much good as a humidity tray.

My Twinkles are all losing leaves on their old pbulbs. I've just learned not to fret...

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I some times leave a little water in my saucers but not so they are standing in it. It probably does as much good as a humidity tray.

My Twinkles are all losing leaves on their old pbulbs. I've just learned not to fret...

I potted it in a clear plastic container with many holes for ventilation. I insert the plastic container into a decorative pot that has a raised bottom portion that allows to it to be filled with water without actually touching the pot in it. So I am thinking it could work.
Thanks Dollythehun

[JScott]

On the new growths, they will look like just a little fan of leaves for a long time. The pseudobulb is the very last thing to emerge, after the leaves are fully grown, and the new growths will come from the "front" of the plant (the "front" being the side with the most recently matured pseudobulb). The pseudobulb with the yellowing leaf is tiny because it is an old growth from when the plant was just a little baby seedling orchid, not because it is just starting to grow.

Full disclosure, I don't have any "pure" Miltoniopsis. I grow my plants outside in the summer, and it just gets too dang hot in Oklahoma for them, but I do have some intergeneric hybrids which include Miltoniopsis. But I think they are thirsty, just like Oncidiums and their intergeneric hybrids, so with a medium that coarse, I would not think every 5 days would be enough. What size pot is that in? I water my plants in 4 inch pots every other day if it's sunny (I have mine by a south window), and my plants in 5 or 6 inch pots every three or four days. They all get water every day when they are outside and it is hot.

I grow mine in clear pots and I can tell from the color of the medium if it is dry or not, and I water when the top half-inch to one inch of the medium or so is dry. Some people recommend using a pencil or a bamboo skewer to tell if the plant needs water. You stick it into the medium and pull it out and see if it is moist or not.

And I'm sorry, everybody tells me I'm really verbose haha. The TL;DR version is that no, every 5 days will probably not be enough, but exactly how long will depend on your growing conditions.

As far as the fertilizer, give them time to settle in. Fertilizer is not particularly critical. Master your watering schedule, and then worry about adding fertilizer once you have the basic cultural requirements down.

---------- Post added at 08:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 PM ----------

If the new growths start to come out wrinkled or pleated like an accordion, you know you are not watering enough.

[Dollythehun]

Some people need verbose Jscott. Good job. I switched most if my Oncidium tribe to a moss bark much. Finer roots, finer bark and yes, they are thirsty.