This Miltonia is just not thriving . . . - Orchid Board

DenmanNJ · #1 07-05-2021, 01:29 PM

I have this Miltonia Hawaiian Punch 'Kalapana'. I can't seem to figure out what this orchid needs. I was hoping it would grow well, but all I've done is cut down leaf after leaf.....Does anyone else grow Miltonia ?

estación seca · #2 07-05-2021, 01:44 PM

The name should be Miltoniopsis. It's a pansy-faced orchid. Miltoniopsis are cool growing orchids, and not that easy to grow in typical US homes. Miltonia is a genus of mostly intermediate- to warm-growing plants.

If you search here on Miltoniopsis you can find what other people do. They like to be very cool, moist, with high humidity and plenty of air circulation.

DenmanNJ · #3 07-05-2021, 01:48 PM

What do you mean the name should be "Miltoniopsis" ??? The tag reads "MILTONIA". Not Miltoniopsis.

estación seca · #4 07-05-2021, 01:52 PM

The pansy faced orchids are now considered to be in genus Miltoniopsis. At one time they were included in Miltonia. They were split off into their own genus. A lot of growers use the old name.

It matters because culture of Miltoniopsis is different from culture of Miltonia.

If you search on the plant's name you'll find it listed as a Miltoniopsis.

Roberta · #5 07-05-2021, 04:40 PM

For what it is worth, I have found Miltoniopsis to be just plain fussy. People who grow on the warm side say it is a cool-grower. I grow cool (lots of plants outside in coastal southern California) and find the genus to be more of a warm grower, not liking my cool winter nights at all. I have concluded that it is a "fussy narrow range" grower, not wanting to go much below 50 deg F. or much above 80 deg F. They are beautiful, but finding the "sweet spot" that will keep them happy is a challenge.

As for genus names, the orchid world is full of changes and reclassifications. Makes all of us crazy. Some changes help to provide useful information for culture like this one, some of the other changes that you'll run across totally muddy the waters.

DenmanNJ · #6 07-05-2021, 04:50 PM

Hmmm..well I am glad I only have 1 Miltonia/Miltoniopsis. No matter which one I have it doesn't like my house, or my conditions. I will be sure not to purchase another one, and yes I agree I don't know what's happened in the "Orchid world" but these constant name changes and reclassifications have done nothing but, as you say, muddy the waters and make things a total Mess!

JScott · #7 07-05-2021, 05:09 PM

I grow outside in Texas in the summer and under lights in the winter, and I simply cannot give Miltoniopsis the cool temps and high humidity they like. For this reason, they simply do not make good house plants, unless you happen to live someplace that has the temperatures they require (such as in South America in the Andes mountains at moderate elevation where they enjoys days in the 70s, pushing 80, and nights in the low 60s all year).

Roberta · #8 07-05-2021, 05:23 PM

I have actually managed to grow the species Miltoniopsis vexillaria, it has been growing on my patio for about 3 years and gets bigger each year. But whatever goes into the hybrids makes them less forgiving. They hybrids do well right along the coast near Santa Barbara, California, and I think maybe in the Pacific Northwest. But picky, picky... definitely narrow-range "Goldilocks" zone, not too hot and not too cold. My general rule is, I'll try something twice, on rare occasions 3 times if I think that I know how to tweak conditions. Then I give up... there are so many orchids, with requirements that I can meet, I try but recognize that while I can grow a lot of varied types, I just can't grow EVERYTHING.

DenmanNJ · #9 07-05-2021, 05:28 PM

HaHa, yes, isn't it the truth. Well, as for me, I limited myself to what I like, and that is the Slipper orchids - Paphiopedilum/Phragmipediums. I also like the Phalaenopsis species. I have a few Wilsonara, a Colmanara 'Wildcat' (But I think they are no longer called 'Colmanara') which is currently in spectacular bloom. So I'm sticking with what I have. I have a Zygopetalum that I am determined to keep alive ....but this Miltonia/Miltoniopsis is slowly working itself toward the dumpster.

JScott · #10 07-05-2021, 05:28 PM

I grow outside in Texas in the summer and under lights in the winter, and I simply cannot give Miltoniopsis the cool temps and high humidity they like. For this reason, they simply do not make good house plants, unless you happen to live someplace that has the temperatures they require (such as in South America in the Andes mountains at moderate elevation where they enjoys days in the 70s, pushing 80, and nights in the low 60s all year).