This Miltonia is just not thriving . . .
 

I have this Miltonia Hawaiian Punch 'Kalapana'. I can't seem to figure out what this orchid needs. I was hoping it would grow well, but all I've done is cut down leaf after leaf.....Does anyone else grow Miltonia ?

The name should be Miltoniopsis. It's a pansy-faced orchid. Miltoniopsis are cool growing orchids, and not that easy to grow in typical US homes. Miltonia is a genus of mostly intermediate- to warm-growing plants.

If you search here on Miltoniopsis you can find what other people do. They like to be very cool, moist, with high humidity and plenty of air circulation.

What do you mean the name should be "Miltoniopsis" ??? The tag reads "MILTONIA". Not Miltoniopsis.

The pansy faced orchids are now considered to be in genus Miltoniopsis. At one time they were included in Miltonia. They were split off into their own genus. A lot of growers use the old name.

It matters because culture of Miltoniopsis is different from culture of Miltonia.

If you search on the plant's name you'll find it listed as a Miltoniopsis.

For what it is worth, I have found Miltoniopsis to be just plain fussy. People who grow on the warm side say it is a cool-grower. I grow cool (lots of plants outside in coastal southern California) and find the genus to be more of a warm grower, not liking my cool winter nights at all. I have concluded that it is a "fussy narrow range" grower, not wanting to go much below 50 deg F. or much above 80 deg F. They are beautiful, but finding the "sweet spot" that will keep them happy is a challenge.

As for genus names, the orchid world is full of changes and reclassifications. Makes all of us crazy. Some changes help to provide useful information for culture like this one, some of the other changes that you'll run across totally muddy the waters.

Hmmm..well I am glad I only have 1 Miltonia/Miltoniopsis. No matter which one I have it doesn't like my house, or my conditions. I will be sure not to purchase another one, and yes I agree I don't know what's happened in the "Orchid world" but these constant name changes and reclassifications have done nothing but, as you say, muddy the waters and make things a total Mess!

I grow outside in Texas in the summer and under lights in the winter, and I simply cannot give Miltoniopsis the cool temps and high humidity they like. For this reason, they simply do not make good house plants, unless you happen to live someplace that has the temperatures they require (such as in South America in the Andes mountains at moderate elevation where they enjoys days in the 70s, pushing 80, and nights in the low 60s all year).

I have actually managed to grow the species Miltoniopsis vexillaria, it has been growing on my patio for about 3 years and gets bigger each year. But whatever goes into the hybrids makes them less forgiving. They hybrids do well right along the coast near Santa Barbara, California, and I think maybe in the Pacific Northwest. But picky, picky... definitely narrow-range "Goldilocks" zone, not too hot and not too cold. My general rule is, I'll try something twice, on rare occasions 3 times if I think that I know how to tweak conditions. Then I give up... there are so many orchids, with requirements that I can meet, I try but recognize that while I can grow a lot of varied types, I just can't grow EVERYTHING.

HaHa, yes, isn't it the truth. Well, as for me, I limited myself to what I like, and that is the Slipper orchids - Paphiopedilum/Phragmipediums. I also like the Phalaenopsis species. I have a few Wilsonara, a Colmanara 'Wildcat' (But I think they are no longer called 'Colmanara') which is currently in spectacular bloom. So I'm sticking with what I have. I have a Zygopetalum that I am determined to keep alive ....but this Miltonia/Miltoniopsis is slowly working itself toward the dumpster.

I grow outside in Texas in the summer and under lights in the winter, and I simply cannot give Miltoniopsis the cool temps and high humidity they like. For this reason, they simply do not make good house plants, unless you happen to live someplace that has the temperatures they require (such as in South America in the Andes mountains at moderate elevation where they enjoys days in the 70s, pushing 80, and nights in the low 60s all year).

Ahhhhhhh, I see. Well now I know that I am not going to have luck with this Miltonia/Miltoniopsis at all, and I'm figuring won't have luck with the Zygopetalum either. What a bummer!

At the risk of sounding ignorant and fed up with name changes, I'm growing Miltoniopsis and Miltonia(Juicy Fruit 'Maxico'). The latter is a warm grower which I have under lights, small bark and drinks a lot...also spiking and growing laterally like crazy. The Miltoniopsis have done ok for me but need it a bit cooler. They are under a ceiling fan, watered freq. and either still in bloom or spiking. Didn't think I'd be successful with them and I refuse to use ac just for some fussy plants. Don't give up Denman.

The Miltonia I have is tagged as "Miltonia", yet the Internet has it listed as a "Miltoniopsis". So, quite honestly, I have no idea what plant I have or now even how to take care of it.

The ones that look kind of like pansies are Miltoniopsis. First two pics are Miltonia. Second two are Miltoniopsis.

(those are stock photos, if anybody cares)

It has never flowered, so I have no idea what the flowers look like.

The plants have different looks too. Can you share some pics of the plant?

I looked it up. Definitely Miltopsis under current nomenclature. Its parentage actually gives a clue. It is a shade over half Mps. vexillaria (which is a higher-elevation Miltoniopsis, which explains why I can grow the species outside) and about 40% Mps. roezlii , which is a lower-elevation species which will give the hybrid more warmth-tolerance (and reduce the cold-tolerance which is why I have trouble with the hybrids) So... because of that warm-growing parent, it may do fine in the house. Keep it damp (that compensates for lower ambient humidity) and moderate light (Phalaenopsis or Paph light should be OK) and you might just be OK!

The Orchidwiz reference that I used for the research shows it as a lovely butter-yellow flower with red "waterfall" pattern in the middle. Very attractive.

What is "Mps"????? Coz that is a new one for me. Right now with summer here and lots of Central AC on, there is no humidity in the house, and my orchids are definitely suffering. I'm seeing blackspot on leaves and they just are not thriving. Most of mine are grown under lights too in my living room on TV trays. Even so, growing orchids indoors is definitely a damn challenge.

Mps is Miltoniopsis. (Abbreviation makes typing easier) Miltonia is "Milt".

AC makes for drafts, and also low humidity. If you have a shady spot outside, consider giving the plants some outdoor time while the weather is warm (and I suspect, humid).

Well funny you mention that...just today I moved my Zygopetalum outdoors in shade, where the humidity is higher than being indoors and the temp today was 80.

That sounds perfect! As long as night temps stay warm (with the high humidity that's likely) most if not all of your orchids will likely benefit from the fresh air and humidity. When it's cold obviously you have to do the best you can with indoor growing, but this time of year take advantage of the benefits of Mother Nature. These are basically tropical creatures!

Forgot to mention that I have about 30 mounted Dendrobium and Angraecoid orchids outdoors too...they are really happy out there!

I have found that when outdoor temperatures are suitable, things just tend to do better that way. Light, air movement, some day-night temperature variation, humidity.