My second try at Miltoniopsis - Orchid Board

NYCorchidman · #1 05-03-2012, 04:32 PM

So I had rather small flowered red/pink/cream tone miltoniopsis earlier this year. It is not here with me.

Just last week, a friend and I were walking by this orchid store, then I saw this gorgeous white bloom throught the shop window. I had to step inside.

They had lots of red tone with waterfall patteren miltoniopsis but only one white, and it totally got me.
The price wasn't bad either. We lingered around the store checking at lots of other plants, then the store owner offered me 30% discount. Of course I got it and I had never ever gotten so much compliment from people on the street, bus, and elevator.

Unfortunately, it's missing a name tag, but it is soooo beautiful and fills up my apartment all morning and afernoon. kind of like rose but rather sharp, I'd say.

6 to 7 large 3-4 inch flowers are born on 6 spikes. Much taller than the one I had before. At the back of my mind, I'm worried, "now how am I going to keep this one alive through the summer?"

Well, I'm just going to enjoy the bloom and its wonderful scent for now.

Anyone successful with these orchids, please share with me your tips! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

flexdc · #2 05-03-2012, 05:02 PM

I have a rescue noid Miltonopsis spiking. They are pretty tough plants as long as you don't let them have full midday sun.

Likes and dislikes:
Likes:
humidity (lots of it), even comfortable temps 60s and 70s, even moisture (I potted mine in sphagnum moss)

Dislikes:
Full sun, hot and dry temps, nothing over 80s temperature wise.

Here are pictures of mine. I grew it outside, but I let too much sunlight got to it and it shows some sun burn. None the less, it is putting up two new spikes. I found it among a pile of neglected plants in one corner of my friends garden.

NYCorchidman · #3 05-03-2012, 05:08 PM

wow~ good job! It will be interesting what the flowers will look like.

The main concern for me with these are the temperature. They are cool growing and I just can't provide. I will have to see how they will survive (or not) through the summer in NYC.

flexdc · #4 05-03-2012, 05:22 PM

I used to grow these when I lived in Washington DC which has tropical summers! They like air-conditioning just fine! Just put a humidity tray under the plant.

NYCorchidman · #5 05-03-2012, 05:30 PM

I thought about AC, but only if it gets too hot for other orchids. I wouldn't sacrifice my others just for this one. I wish I had a house with backyard or something, so I could put this guy under a tree shade or something. oh, well...

flexdc · #6 05-03-2012, 05:34 PM

They don't mind a bit if the temp in your apartment get up to around 80 or so. But you might mind if it is that hot in your apartment.

Another trick is to buy yourself a cool mist humidifier, they love those no matter how hot it gets. The moisture really helps. You can place your Milt right next to it and let your other plants enjoy the benefits too. I can guarantee you that it will work. Don't give up on her. She is gorgeous!

flexdc · #7 05-03-2012, 05:36 PM

Btw, which orchid store did you get it from? One of the ones on 28th street flower district? I used to live on that street. I used to walk downstairs and just stared at plants LOL

NYCorchidman · #8 05-03-2012, 05:47 PM

I thought about humidifier, but was afraid if they might cause fungus spots on the leaves? no?

Do you recommned any good model that's easy on the electricity bill too?

I have a mini Swiss-O-Air humidifier I use in the winter time. It is quite small, but maybe I should give it a try? anyway, I normally leave the window open all summer and the humidity then is not much of an issue. It is an issue during cold months when I keep my windows closed and the heating is on.
so far, my plants have survived, but now I have a south exposure, so this winter will be a different story. hmmmm

I got mine from a store called Orchidman on 52nd st&10th avenue. Their price is much better than flower district. but this store has mostly just phals. and then little bit of everything else depending on the season.
I really want to keep this white miltoniopsis alive!!!

flexdc · #9 05-03-2012, 06:10 PM

I just use the ones they sell at CVS or Duane Reed. Also, consider turning on a fan. Cool mist humidifier plus fan will cool everything down and add buoyancy to your environment. Fungus spots only happen when the air is still. The fan will solve this problem and we are talking about just a small desk fan.

fishmommy · #10 05-03-2012, 06:13 PM

I grow mine in very low humidity but I do it by keeping the media moist at all times. Daily watering, temps UNDER 80, no direct sun, and lots of indirect light. I run an oscillating fan on mine to keep it from heating up too much under the lights.
I have two and they do really well.
Here's a recent pic of one of them