Cymbidium Culture • Odontoglossum Culture
Basic Miltoniopsis Culture
Miltoniopsis or the “pansy orchid” produces many brightly colored, fragrant flowers on vigorous growing plants. Hybrid clones of Miltoniopsis orchids are very vigorous in growth and prolific in flowering exceeding the original species found in Colombia, Panama and Ecuador.
Our 3 2/3 inch “liner” plants bloom freely with one or two spikes of 4 to 6 flowers per spike. With slip potting into 5 inch pots these liners can produce multiple spikes blooming in the late spring.
Media
Shredded Redwood bark “wool” is our choice growing medium. Coconut fiber, Fir bark and sphagnum moss are also quite good. We suggest “slip potting” our liners into any media that has good water absorption, water retention and 40% air filled porosity. Do not remove the Redwood wool for it is most resistant to breaking down,
Watering
Moist but not wet. Never allow the plants to completely dry. With media that is open and drains easily watering may be needed almost every day in the summer months to 2 times a week in the winter months.
Temperature
Miltoniopsis are cool-growing plants that prefer little change in the temperature range of approximately 60 degrees F night temperature to 60 to 80 degrees during the day. The higher the temperature the greater the need for humidity. Misting 1 or 2 times during the day may be required.
Light
During the spring and summer 2,000 to 3,000 foot candles (60 to 70 % shade) and as much light as possible during the winter months in the Northern hemisphere.
Fertilizer
We have been quite successful using a commercial balanced fertilizer of 20-20-20 or 18-18-18. A 10-30-20 formula during the early spring will enhance flowering. We fertilize every 3 out of 4 waterings.
Insecticides
Miltoniopsis plants seem to be resistant to many bacteria and fungi. Sucking insets such as aphids and thrips can be controlled by spraying Diazinon. Metaldehyde and Mesurol are very effecting in eliminating slugs and snails.
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