Odontoglossum vs Miltoniopsis

[Havoccity]

Until now I've most been keeping warm growing species. I want to try my hand at cool growers. Between Odontoglossum and Miltoniopsis, which is more forgiving when it comes to temperatures on both ends of the spectrum? Freak heat waves and random cold snaps are kind of an issue for me.

I'm looking at O. harryanum in particular.

[Roberta]

The Odont is probably more forgiving. According to the Baker culture sheet, the habitat of O. harryanum ranges from 85 deg F (30 deg C) to 34 deg F (1 deg C). For the heat waves, provide extra shading, and water. The only Miltoniopsis that I have managed to keep alive is Mtps. vexillaria. It has a similar climate range, even a little wider than the Odont. (A lot of the the Miltoniopsis are more narrow-range, I have found the hybrids to be challenging, but this species seems to be quite forgiving)

[Havoccity]

Thanks Roberta. Have you tried the growing M. phalaenopsis and roezlii? I was told that the former is warm tolerant and all online resources say that the latter is a warm grower.

[Roberta]

I think I killed roezlii once, I have stopped trying with most of the genus. In general, I find Miltoniopsis to be neither "warm grower" or "cold tolerant" - more like "narrow range". Winter is too cold for them, summer too warm. So they'd lend themselves to indoor growing (intermediate or warm/intermediate). I grow outdoors, winter temps typically 40 F/4 C) and summer brings whatever it brings. There are so many orchids that I CAN grow under those conditions, I push the envelope but some types just aren't meant to be - usually, I'll try twice and then give up.

[Toadwally]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The Odont is probably more forgiving. According to the Baker culture sheet, the habitat of O. harryanum ranges from 85 deg F (30 deg C) to 34 deg F (1 deg C). For the heat waves, provide extra shading, and water. The only Miltoniopsis that I have managed to keep alive is Mtps. vexillaria. It has a similar climate range, even a little wider than the Odont. (A lot of the the Miltoniopsis are more narrow-range, I have found the hybrids to be challenging, but this species seems to be quite forgiving)

This gives me new found hope.