New Bare Root Miltonia

[Ginger9899]

Wow, I have just been gifted this weekend (very generously!) with this bare root Miltonia (I THINK that is what it is anyway...I could be wrong even) division. I have it in an empty terra cotta pot outside in the shade and am drenching the roots once every morning. I planned on potting it up in a small bark mix, like the paph mix from Repotme that I have, but when I went to do it I was at a loss. There are 3 "levels" to this...a lower level with a couple pseudobulbs and roots, a middle level where the new growth is sticking out horizontally with new roots, and an upper level with a pseudobulb and roots. To fit this is a pot and have all roots in media I think I would have to bury the bottom pseudobulbs.

Any advice on how to pot this up? I have never mounted anything but could give it a try....it would lay on a mount nicely. Would it work to mount a Miltonia in blazing hot florida if I watered it profusely every morning? I am wondering if it is too hot here for a Miltonia outside. I would rather pot it up but want to give it the best chance as I have never grown one of these. I have been studying culture notes like crazy of course though.

Thanks very much for any advice.

[Hiester]

This does not look like Miltonia or Miltoniopsis to me. It resembles more something in the Oncidium Alliance, especially the shape and appearance of the pseudobulbs plus the strap-like leaves.

Milt. orchids generally have wider, more lily like, often pleated leaves which are more tender and pliable than most other orchids.

[Ginger9899]

Thank you for that tip....it'll certainly make a difference in my care research. I am told it was in a box with tagged Miltonia divisions, but of course that doesn't mean this one is - no tag on it. It does look very different than the small pieces of Miltonia that were in it. I thought it could be just because it was much bigger.

Still have a potting conundrum though

[silken]

Try and find a depth and angle where most of the bulbs have their roots mostly covered. Some Oncidiums (of which Miltonias and Miltoniopsis are part of the group) tend to grow their new growths higher than the old ones. I have often bought one where the old growths are slightly buried so that the new growth can be at media level. The old bulbs seem fine like this, so you could do that with it as well. You may have to put a rhizome clip or stake in to hold the plant in place as well, since it has some lopsided growing going on.

[Ginger9899]

Thank you Silken, I will try that.