Miltonia bark has begun to stink
 

My Miltonia has been blooming for at least a couple of months and I just noticed that the bark smells really awful. Now there are a few red traces at the edge of a couple of new buds just forming. I hate to transplant to new bark while it is blooming. Any ideas.
Marti

Marti, souring bark usually signals that the media is breaking down...which means the roots are not getting any nutrients. which ultimately leads to rotting. You may want to go ahead and examine the roots. Much better to save the plant and lose the flowers. IMHO

Lecent

Marti , don't worry too much about the flowers ,if you are talking about miltoniopsis ,they need to be repotted into fresh media every year . Be sure to add some dolomite lime to the mix

what is the lime for?

The lime helps to keep the media from going too acid as it ages

I have no idea, & I'm not an expert but was /am under the opinion that charcoal also helps 'keep' the mix of medium longer? Maybe a mix of the 2? Can an expert give us the 'scientific' view?

Charcoal may help with keeping the mix fresh, or fresh-smelling at least. I don't think that it will affect the acidity of the soil, though.