Pleated Miltoniopsis leaves

[Pokey49]

I have two Miltoniopsis orchids with pleated leaves. I am told that can mean to little water in some references and to much water in others. I have tried letting the root medium get almost dry and I have tried keeping them good and moist. I still have pleated leaves. I can't figure out whether to fish or cut bait. Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks

Paul

[orchidsarefun]

when last did you repot ? At most they can go 2 years before repotting, preferably only one.
I would advise you to take the plant out the pot ( in one piece ) and take a look at the roots. If they are rotting, or tending to rot - you are overwatering. If they are white - then underwatering. If green - about right. Generally speaking a fresh potting mix and regularly watering - not standing in water - is a great combination for milts.

[Pokey49]

I will check on that and get back to you. whats a propoer potting mix for them? Medium, fine, ??

[lotis146]

I only have one Miltoniopsis and have also experienced the pleated leaves. My understanding is that this is due to the plant not getting enough water, whether that's because you're not enough or the roots are compromised speaks to OrchidsAreFun's advice. I repotted mine in a somewhat finer mix of bark mixed in some with clay balls & small-medium bark. The fine mix I have also has bits of perlite & pieces of sphagnum in it. I chose this mix because its roots are so fine it was easiest for me to pot and somewhat stable. Since then it grew a spike and is now in bud.

Good luck.

[orchidsarefun]

mine are in a fine bark ( 60% ), sphagnum ( 35% ) and perlite ( 5% ) mix.......essentially the same as lotis'

[DeaC]

Also,once the leaves pleat they will not un-pleat even tho you increase waterings.

[Pokey49]

I took the plant out of the pot intact. The roots are predominately whitish in color on the outside. Don't know what the internal roots look like. The medium is pretty fine. A moisture meter often says things are moist to wet. I am not sure what my next move should be? Repot, water more, both??

[orchidsarefun]

2 questions
1) when last was this repotted ?
2) is new leaf growth pleated ? Old leaf growth will never straighten out. Also note that if you missed waterings for a week, you will get pleated new growth and it will appear that its a new problem, but really can be traced back to the missed week.
Subject to the above, you would currently appear to be ok seeing that your meter is indicating that the mix is moist.

[Pokey49]

Interesting. It appears only the new growth is pleated and older growth is not I have had to have a neighbor water my orchids a couple times when I was traveling. He may have missed or under watered them at one if the times.

Both plants came from the store last spring. They have not been repotted.

[silken]

Milts hate stale media so you may want to re pot. It's best to repot when new root growth is beginning.