Repotting Miltonia

[escualida]

Hi guys, I have a Miltonia Spectabilis that has outgrown it's pot. The new shoots start off higher than the old ones so my question is, when I repot it, do I bury the old pseudo bulbs so that the new ones are right on top of the media, or do I pot the old ones on top of the media and let the new ones just float like an inch or so above it?

Thanks in advance!

[Brooke]

I let my new growths dangle in the air until the roots reach the media. I grow mine in a net basket in sphag and tree fern and the roots eventually touch the media.

Brooke

[NYCorchidman]

I would not bury the older pbs in the potting mix as doing so can rot them.

[orchidsarefun]

I have a specimen-sized Miltonia Kismet that has been repotted 2x. I use fine bark, in an unglazed ceramic pot. I pack sphagnum moss around the pbulbs, in a loose layer on top only. Do not bury the bulbs.
The pot should be wider than deep, roots are shallow growing. Currently there are at least 8 new growths. I will try and post a photo to give you an idea.

[escualida]

Got it, I just think it's weird that the new growths are up so much higher than the old ones, I'm wondering what it's going to look like when these growths grow other shoots.

[WhiteRabbit]

Remember these are epiphytes - it actually makes sense that they grow somewhat 'uphill'. Why some do it more drastically than others , I don't know, but I think there's probably a reason. I have a Milt. species that grows quite drastically uphill.

You can tilt the plant when repotting, tho it doesn't look good. I have slightly buried old growth on some of mine, and haven't had problems with them rotting. But I can see that it could be a possibility.

Another option is to top dress with sphag, piling it higher around the growths that are above the media - maybe not needed in more humid environments, but as dry as it can be here in summer, it has been helpful to me, giving new roots a chance.

Also, dividing as necessary as new growth starts to be a good deal above the media, making sure there is sufficient growth for any divisions.

Or, grow on a mount.

[escualida]

Thank you! What are the rules for dividing Miltonias? How many pbulbs per division?

[NatalieS]

You should preferably always have three pbulbs per division for most orchids. If you go with less you will likely set the plant back and it will be a long time before it flowers again.

I recently cut two back-bulbs off of my spectabilis var moreliana and stuck them in sphagnum moss and it's got a new growth on it already (though it will probably be another year, or even two, before it flowers). Maybe just take a few of the older, leafless, bulbs off of the plant and pot them up. Unless of course you're planning on giving some divisions away.