Suggestions potting Miltoniaopsis?

[monivik]

I have a Miltoniaopsis that really needs to be repotted. I see that there are white specks of mould in some of the potting mix. I've had it for 1,5 years now and I haven't repotted it once since I bought it, but it seems like now is the time. The good thing is that there are new pseudobulbs coming up.

I figure as where I live (in the Netherlands) I can't get specific potting mixes for specific type of orchids, I'll have to make one myself.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Roberta]

Miltoniopsis do like to be on the damp side (but of course also with air) . So depending on what works for you, sphagnum or small bark. Or, I think there are several members of the Board who have had good success with these with the semi-hydroponic approach, using an inorganic medium such as LECA.

[DirtyCoconuts]

since both of the miltons (miltonia and miltonopsis) prefer it cooler than my normal i have one in semi hydro and two mounted. if you can keep them wet then you can cheat the temp down that way. if you are growing in their normal range and don't need to cool them, then really any media that is suitable for your watering habits and humidity.

where do you grow this one?

[Steve83]

I like New Zealand tree fern fiber for finer rooted plants. Pot selection would depend on your parameters.

[monivik]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Miltoniopsis do like to be on the damp side (but of course also with air) . So depending on what works for you, sphagnum or small bark. Or, I think there are several members of the Board who have had good success with these with the semi-hydroponic approach, using an inorganic medium such as LECA.

Well to be honest I'm a bit hesitant about using LECA, my orchids are doing pretty well right now, and I don't want to start something new and set them back. I like using organic material.

I do have some small bark at home, I've also got large bark, in fact these chunks are huge even for Phals , kidding, I don't know. But I ordered it online and was surprised of the huge chunks when I saw it. I've also got some perlite and spaghnum moss that I can mix.

I've noticed that in my house, in particular fall/winter my plants take a long time to dry, so I'm going to guess that maybe better be a bit sparing on the spaghnum moss. In the past I've got rotten roots (on other orchids) because the medium takes so long to dry.

---------- Post added at 04:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:02 AM ----------

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

since both of the miltons (miltonia and miltonopsis) prefer it cooler than my normal i have one in semi hydro and two mounted. if you can keep them wet then you can cheat the temp down that way. if you are growing in their normal range and don't need to cool them, then really any media that is suitable for your watering habits and humidity.

where do you grow this one?

Well, mounted isn't an option for me with any orchid, I think because they're all in my living room. I think mounted orchids works if you have a greenhouse, high humidity, right? Nah, my living room is mostly cold and dry. Winter time the temperature is between 64,4F (18C) and 66,2F (19C). The thing is that my husband and I both work, and we we don't put the heating on until we're home from work, so it will be on for about 4.30 p.m. until around 10.00 or 11.00 p.m. During the night we turn it off again. Weekends exception, then the heating is on more, if we're at home.

[Fairorchids]

#1 Repot annually (they do not like stale mix).
#2 In the smallest pot you can fit it into.
#3 I prefer a mix of seedling size bark/charcoal/perlite (3:2:1). Many growers use spaghnum or spaghnum/bark mix.

Spring/summer/fall, they should never go dry. In winter, just barely let it dry out.