Why is my Miltassia Royal Robe 'Jerry's Pick' AM/AOS not thriving? Light leaves

[ethanpw]

This is my first post! I hope this is the right category.

I've had this orchid for about 9 months and it hasn't been doing well. I can't quite figure out what I'm doing wrong. I repotted it in orchid bark after I got it. I water about weekly. It was in a shaded North facing window then I moved 5 months ago and put it in a very shaded NW facing window. One of the smaller, I assume newer leaves yellowed and died. It's leaves are a lighter green than photos I see of other Miltassias.

Perhaps I'm not watering enough to keep it moist?

https://www.orchidweb.com/products/m...maos~1809.html

I got it very cheap so if I lose it, it will be a learning experience. But hopefully I won't lose it!

[reliablefool]

I'm definitely no expert, but a North/NW window seems like too little light to me. The watering may be an issue since the light level is low and photosynthesis and water uptake are lower (saying once a week may be too much if it is staying wet/soggy).

My gut still says lighting is the biggest issue and I would relocate to an eastern window if possible or a southern window that you can have filtered light through so that the plants don't burn during the hotter parts of the day. If going for the southern window, then try to gradually increase the light so the plant is less likely to burn.

[WhiteRabbit]

Light green foliage isn't necessarily bad. Is foliage fairly upright, or is it very droopy?

Was new growth coming in smooth, or was there pleating / crimping?

Yellowing and dying new growth could be from too much water, too damp and cold, amongst other things.

[My Green Pets]

I would say don't change more than one thing at a time, because then you won't know exactly which thing it was that was wrong. I agree with the reliablefool above, this orchid needs more light.

If you can put it in a place where it gets a little sun on it, say, a couple of hours a day, you could see a dramatic difference within a month. But, as many here will caution you, start the plant like 6-7 feet from that sunny spot, then move it a foot or so closer every couple of days, you will give it plenty of time to adapt its leaves to the brighter light and lessen the chance of sunburn spots. Above all, air circulation must be good when the plant is receiving sun, again to prevent burning.

Both parents of this hybrid (miltonia and brassia) like it bright but cool (60s-70s). If you can come up with that combo in your home, you might just see this guy perk up.

Please, post a picture of the plant's current condition, then repost after a couple of weeks so that you (and we) can see how the plant is responding!

[Optimist]

If you got it really cheap, It may be a seedling. To bloom, it needs to be mature or bloming size. When you buy blooming size online, the are usually more costly. So it will most like take a few years to bloom.