My second try at Miltoniopsis

[NYCorchidman]

Two others are open now.
I really like these! the color is just so vibrant and lively (the red one with white edge)!!!

The yellow one and the really dark one have great scent, although not as intense as the white one, and the other two have no fragrance. however, they make up for it with their striking color I think.

[greenpassion]

I just recieved a budded Miltonia ( I won an auction) It's potted in some sort of moss-I grow all my orchids in S/H. That said, I've been reading that these guys like it humid. I'm thinking that the humidity requirments would be met if I move this newbie to S/H. I don't know how large the roots are, and if I need the larger size hydroton (the size that phals like) or the smaller size that Oncidiums like. Do these guys have a large root system? I'd like to know what size container to use. All my other orchids are in drilled glass vases and jars, and I can keep track of how the roots look, as well as the water level in the resevior. I'd like to move her into S/H right away, but yet another question: Should I wait for the blooms to go by, or can I do it now? There are 2 flowered buds, and several buds not yet opened.

[Lagoon]

Ooooo weeeee these are so pretty, love all the colours. Sweet lemon coloured yellow!
One of my milts just opened yesterday morning, I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

I just recieved a budded Miltonia ( I won an auction) It's potted in some sort of moss-I grow all my orchids in S/H. That said, I've been reading that these guys like it humid. I'm thinking that the humidity requirments would be met if I move this newbie to S/H. I don't know how large the roots are, and if I need the larger size hydroton (the size that phals like) or the smaller size that Oncidiums like. Do these guys have a large root system? I'd like to know what size container to use. All my other orchids are in drilled glass vases and jars, and I can keep track of how the roots look, as well as the water level in the resevior. I'd like to move her into S/H right away, but yet another question: Should I wait for the blooms to go by, or can I do it now? There are 2 flowered buds, and several buds not yet opened.

I wish I could give you some good advice, but I am not experienced with miltoniopsis myself.
I don't ever take plants out of the pots unless I'm repotting them, so I have no idea how large the root systems are for these guyes, but I see tons of white roots all over, so I'm guessing the root mass will be quite a bit.
I heard flowers are quite sensitive for these guys so I wouldn't repot them while in flower. take a chance at your own risk.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Ooooo weeeee these are so pretty, love all the colours. Sweet lemon coloured yellow!
One of my milts just opened yesterday morning, I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow.

I love the yellow one. The tone of yellow color is just amazing! I was going to call it banana milk since the color reminds me of banana milk I used to drink as a kid, but I found a name for it. The seller told me it is Maui Sunset. yay!!!

[RosieC]

Looking gorgeous!

I think I'm going to try Camille's S/H idea next time I try one. I had one that seemed to be doing well last summer in fine bark. It had masses of root growth, loads of new leads and produced 4 spikes in the autumn. But it just upped and died over the winter, not sure if it bloomed it's self to death, if I had it in too low a light when it was blooming, or something else. This thread really makes me think I need to try again though.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Looking gorgeous!

I think I'm going to try Camille's S/H idea next time I try one. I had one that seemed to be doing well last summer in fine bark. It had masses of root growth, loads of new leads and produced 4 spikes in the autumn. But it just upped and died over the winter, not sure if it bloomed it's self to death, if I had it in too low a light when it was blooming, or something else. This thread really makes me think I need to try again though.

It died??? Yours was so beautiful!!

I hope to buy another soon and pot it in S/H. My mother loves Milts, but I couldn't keep any alive for her. So I'll establish one for her, and she can pick it up when she comes to visit in August.

[RosieC]

Yeah, it lasted a couple of years and seemed to be growing wonderfully, then near the end of the last flowering I noticed some leaves dropping, then steadily over the winter months they all just dropped and the p-bulbs died back and all the new growths as well.

I seem to have had a bit of a problem will several of the oncidium/odontoglossum alliance types over this winter and I'm not really sure what it is. I was worried the Miltoniopsis has something that might spread, it doesn't seem so but they just all seem unhappy. Probably relates to lack of water and I'm hoping that's all it is.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Yeah, it lasted a couple of years and seemed to be growing wonderfully, then near the end of the last flowering I noticed some leaves dropping, then steadily over the winter months they all just dropped and the p-bulbs died back and all the new growths as well.

I seem to have had a bit of a problem will several of the oncidium/odontoglossum alliance types over this winter and I'm not really sure what it is. I was worried the Miltoniopsis has something that might spread, it doesn't seem so but they just all seem unhappy. Probably relates to lack of water and I'm hoping that's all it is.

That is really strange. You had them a few years, they did good, flowered and everything but all of sudden downhill and gone?
Did it have any spots on leaves or pbs? did you change anything in the growing practice? You mentioned lack of water. Did you reduce watering too much? was the roots all mushy when they died??

My first miltoniopsis died after flowering. It had some new spikes and new shoots coming but everything turned yellow and died. It had no disease symptoms at all. I think I might have watered it too much and killed the roots. It was earlier this year so it wasn't hot at all.
or not enough day/night temperature variation?
no idea.

I love these plants. flowers are just amazing in color and fragrance.
If mine don't make it this time around, I will keep buying every spring until I get it right.

[NYCorchidman]

So I put all five of these guys in the kitchen with the kitchen light on. I'm sure it's not strong enough for them to grow well, but it is cooler in the kitchen and don't they look nice together?

The seller told me the names off of memory not record.

The yellow one is Maui Sunset. This one looks like it's glowing almost with so many large flowers open. I like it very much! I don't see any sunset this yellow. I think I will call it my way, banana milk.
Mild rose scent.

The white one, Up Country Puna, although I don't think it's the correct name. Very strong spicy rose fragrance.

The deep velvety red purple, Bert Field, also not correct I believe. This one has the same scent as the white one.

These three are almost identical in flower shape and patterns on the lips. just thee different colors. very large flowers about 4in across.

next one up, rouge. This is correct. This one has no scent.

The last two pictures (the same plant). He didn't know the name and I have no clue. it's got such a vivid coloration though. look like artificial flowers almost.
It is beginning to develop sweet scent after being open for almost one week.

These last last two miltoniopsis have slightly smaller flowers than the first three.