Miltonia.
Miltonia plants grow rapidly into specimens when
treated correctly and enjoy intermediate to warm
conditions.
Hybrids.
Multitudes of hybrids have been bred over the
years, many of which are easy to grow and easy
to flower.
Temperature and Humidity
Minimum night temperatures of 15C is ideally
needed, but growth in summer is rapid at
temperatures up to 26 C. A humid atmosphere,
propelled by a fan is beneficial.
Light.
In greenhouses, the normal maximum is 50% of
full daylight or 2000-3000 foot candles. In hot
weather shade sufficiently to ensure that the
leaves are cool to the touch.
If you are growing in the home give a bright
situation but not direct sunlight, behind a net
curtain, from April to September.
These also make good conservatory plants as long
as summer shade and good air movement can be
provided.
Watering and Fertilising.
The compost should never be allowed to dry out
completely, with more abundant watering in
summer when you should water twice weekly and
fertilise fortnightly with a recommended orchid
fertiliser.
Ensure that the compost is th0roughly flushed
through when not applying fertiliser to remove
any build up of salts, which will damage the
roots.
Compost and potting.
A medium bark mix will do well with added
polystyrene spheres or perlite to keep it open.
Chopped sphagnum helps retain humidity and some
charcoal keeps it 'sweet'. Or a moisture of Lump
Peat and foam.
New compost will keep the plant growing well for
no more than twelve months or so, the best time
to repot is when the new shoots are just
beginning to appear at the older shoot's bases.
If the plant has over three pseudobulbs, the
rhizome can be cut to give two equal sized
plants which can be potted separately.
|
