Miltoniopsis watering - Orchid Board

(..._...) · #1 04-07-2008, 11:59 AM

Hello! I just purchased a miltoniopsis, and would like to know a bit about how to water the plant. I already have two, but I have them potted so that they can be watered everyday. This one is in spike, and the fine bark is relatively new, so I don't want/ need to disturb it yet. It came from an orchid greenhouse, so the plants in in perfect condition. I watered it when I brought it home, the medium was almost dry, and I expect that it will need to be watered every 1/2 week- week. Is this okay? When I purchased my first two, I was new to any non-phal orchids, and lost roots to root rot, but I still have them. Now I would like to keep this one from loosing roots to begin with!

Any other tips/ experiences with miltoniopsis would be helpful

philoserenus · #2 04-07-2008, 01:24 PM

watered everyday? hmmm... the only way can u pot them such that u can water them everyday is if they are mounted with very little moss or in semi hydroponics or inert materials like lava rock.

with fir bark, u should definitely not be watering everyday... seeing u are in canada... rite now, its not summertime so i dun think u should even water more than once a week... the top of the layers of bark will dry off quick if the plant is in a very dry room... but the bark at the btm of the pot would be the consistency of sand in no time if u watered everyday... and thatz not good.

just my 2cent

(..._...) · #3 04-07-2008, 01:31 PM

The new one isn't watered everyday... its the other one i have... it is in a 4"pot, half filled with packing penuts, and the rest is coarse bark- It is almost dry by the next morning and has been thriving like this (If I water any less... the new growth becomes pleated). I would like to learn how to water the NEW orchid that I purchased, which is in a fine bark mixture, and know whether or not the a once a week watering is okey for the roots.

razka3 · #4 04-07-2008, 01:54 PM

Pictures always help... and I would first let it dry out, until it is light when you pick it up... that way you know what it feels like when it's getting dry. Then water, and water later when it feels light again... that's really the best way if you can't see the media/roots... clear pots help with that a little.