My First Miltonia! - Orchid Board

new_orchid_rescuer · #1 09-30-2007, 11:43 AM

Hello! I just bought my first Miltonia (Miltonia Herralexandre) yesterday! I love it!

But I do have a few questions. I read that they can grow quite large and are difficult to contain in a pot. Should I mount it? I'm in Canada so I'm a bit concerned about humidity... or would that be okay if I but a bit of sphag under the roots?

Also, it seems a bit odd to me that the flowers look sideways? Is this normal?

sjMagoo · #2 09-30-2007, 04:09 PM

Beautiful miltie! Don't they smell wonderful?

I have found that these love to be repotted every year - I've never had one as a mount, it always concerned me about keeping them moist enough. The humidity is definitely a concern - I have a couple in 70 degrees that do very well, and a few in 40 degrees that get wrinkled leaves but still bloom. They like a steady moist medium ( yet not soggy ) and are sensitive to fertilizer ( the leaf tips will burn ). The misalignment of the blooms is probably due to it being moved around while in bud - poor flowers didn't know which way to open!

Shirley · #3 09-30-2007, 06:59 PM

I agree with Sarah. We happen to have a Miltonia expert in our Society so get some very good advice. Here in the West we all grow them in pots -- I've never seen one mounted. They do like to be kept moist, should never dry out, and some here use straight moss but it can be too soggy. I prefer a fine bark mixed with charcoal, perlite and some bits of sphag. They should be repotted every year. They are very susceptible to spider mites, particularly in the hot, dry summer weather. I also agree that the sideways flowers are caused by changing the direction of the light.

A very lovely flower, good choice!

Shirley

Shirley

new_orchid_rescuer · #4 09-30-2007, 07:09 PM

Thanks! They do smell wonderful! Like roses actually.
Thanks for the advice. I will keep it in the pot! Right now it's in sphag, but when I repot is it alright to use coarse bark mix or is this too large?

Shirley · #5 09-30-2007, 10:07 PM

No, I think not. Coarse bark would dry out too quickly. Miltonias have fine roots and so need a fine mix which holds the moisture. When they dry out too quickly or if the watering is inconsistent, they get those accordion-pleated leaves. They will still bloom but the appearance isn't as it should be.

Shirley

new_orchid_rescuer · #6 09-30-2007, 11:12 PM

They already have some accordion leaves!

But I bought it that way! (not my fault

)
Okay so I guess I have to buy some fine grade orchid mix on e-bay... unless anyone knows of where you can buy some in Ottawa?

kiki-do · #7 09-30-2007, 11:49 PM

I'm glad I happened upon this posting on Miltonias. I too have two of them and one has the signs of possible leaf tip burns, but I didn't know what that was until I read this. I also have some wrinkled leaves, but try to keep them misted and somewhat moist. I read they were to be kept moist and never dry out. I have mine in live sphag. Thanks for the info. It's appreciated.

kiki-do

Shirley · #8 10-01-2007, 02:24 AM

new_orchid_rescuer,

I'm assuming that there is an orchid society in Ottawa. Your local library should have a listing of local organizations with contact numbers. If you can reach them, they will probably be able to tell you where you can obtain a fine bark mix. Probably some of the members even sell it. Maybe you'd even like to join the society! Good luck!

Shirley

Lagoon · #9 10-01-2007, 07:11 AM

Ooo la la that's a real beauty!
Do you have sphag - can you grow in sphag?
You can visit your local petshop, many of them carry fine bark, check in the reptile section.

Bolero · #10 10-01-2007, 07:46 AM

I love Miltonias and your display is very impressive. I don't understand why I don't see more of these grown in Australia. It's a real shame........but I can enjoy yours in the meantime!!!