Miltassia stem is wrinkly, is that normal?!?

[bouch113]

I noticed a few of my Miltassia stems have wrinkles on them, is that normal? I've attached 2 pictures.

Thanks in advance,
Alaina

[WhiteRabbit]

Older pseudobulbs will wrinkle a bit as they age, especially when there is new growth on the plant

If the new growth, the foliage is coming in smooth, and not crimped, I think your's is ok. If the new growth is getting crimped, pleated foliage, the plant likely needs more water, or roots may have been rotted by overwatering, and the plant has been unable to take up water.
Same goes for severely wrinkled and shriveled pbulbs (yours don't look severely wrinkled or shriveled)

[bouch113]

Thanks WhiteRabbit, I'm thinking I'm not watering it enough then. When I first bought it, it was in moss which only needed water every 10-14 days. With help from people on this board, I've repotted them in coco husk bark chips which dry out much faster & I think even weekly isnt enough for them, they seem to dry out very quick in the bark. I'm so nervous to do something wrong & I'm so grateful to have you all on this board for help Thanks again
Have a great day!
Alaina

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by bouch113

Thanks WhiteRabbit, I'm thinking I'm not watering it enough then. When I first bought it, it was in moss which only needed water every 10-14 days. With help from people on this board, I've repotted them in coco husk bark chips which dry out much faster & I think even weekly isnt enough for them, they seem to dry out very quick in the bark. I'm so nervous to do something wrong & I'm so grateful to have you all on this board for help Thanks again
Have a great day!
Alaina

yours don't look worrisome to me, tho pic was limited.
if the foliage of the new growth is smooth, watering is probably fine

I too have mine in coconut husk chips, and this time of year I do usually water more than once a week - tho this year has been mostly a lot cooler than usual - usually it's very warm, and VERY dry this time of year. good news is that Miltassias are quite forgiving in the watering department!

I use skewers in all my orchid pots, to help me determine when to water - takes out the guess work

[bouch113]

My orchids are inside where its a constant 75 degrees in the summer near a sliding glass window but it does seem to dry up very quick. Maybe every other day or 2 would be a good water schedule now.
What a great idea with the skewers very clever WhiteRabbit Do you pull them in & out to see if its dry? Is that the idea?

Alaina

[WhiteRabbit]

the skewers are great! I can't take credit for the idea - saw it posted here! Been using them since (at least a couple of years) - and they have been extremely helpful to me!

yes, bamboo skewers (for kabobs, can get them at grocery store, very inexpensive) - gently twist one into the media - if in a plastic pot, I try for midway between center and rim of pot, tho further either way is ok, just not at the very outer edge - to check for moisture, pull skewer out, touch it to your cheek or upper lip (guess the skin on those areas is more sensitive to feeling the moisture) - if it feels moist, or even just cool there is moisture in the pot. It seems Milltassias (at least mine) like to be a bit moist (but not soggy), so water before the skewer feels dry. Replace the skewer into the same place you removed it from to avoid damaging roots.

I'd probably start with increasing watering to twice a week - but the skewer can tell you better than I can If the skewer feels wet (rather than just very lightly moist), I'd wait, you can check again in a day or two. With the unseasonably 'cool' weather we have been having (highs in the 70s), I water maybe twice a week - tho with the unusually low high temps, night time is very cool (mid to upper 50s) and quite humid - yours may need a bit more water

I usually drench mine once a week, then the midweek watering not as thoroughly - might just use a sprayer to spray water into media til it starts running out the bottom, but not a drenching.