Miltonia Orchids....

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.

They 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.

Categories orchid culture, miltonia orchids, orchid society, north of england.