Miltonia v Miltoniopsis

[MSPProductions]

I've been reading the AOS culture sheets for Mintonia and Miltoniopsis and the sections in the Ortho book The Complete Guide To Orchids.

I have two plants labeled:
Milt. Hajime Ono 'Black Falls' AM/AOS Patented
Milt. Vanity 'Red Shadow' AM/AOS (D)

I have been assuming that the plants were Miltonia because of the Ortho
book. However, after reading I'm pretty sure that they are Miltoniopsis;
They have one leave on the pseudobulb. The shape of the pseudobulbs and
flowers.

Is it common for Miltoniopsis to be labeled Milt. as opposed to Mps. ?

Does anyone in the costal areas of SoCal have success with Miltoniopsis in their window sills or outdoors?

[Orchidflowerchild]

Miltoniopsis have been traditionally called miltonias.

-Cj

[Tobi]

Hi MSP,
Here is a link which shows the blooms of Hajime Ono 'Black Falls'

http://www.orchidweb.com/detail.aspx?ID=1113

Here is a link for the culture of Milt. Hajime Ono 'Maui Splash' which I'm sure
would apply for both of yours.

www.orchidweb.com/orchidofweek.aspx?id=1759

[MSPProductions]

Tobi, Thanks for the links. Boy those are some pretty steep prices on orchid web! I'm going to try these guys outside and see what happens. Can't be any worse than what's going on with them now, which is nothing.

[Orchidflowerchild]

Whenever you think about buying anything labeled Milt. that a round, pansy-like flower is Miltoniopsis and to be grown cool and wet. If it is starry (M. spectabilis, M. flavescens) or crisped and in muted colours like Oncidium, you are dealing with lower-growing, often brazilian plants which like a lot more warmth.

-Cj

[PhalPal]

MSP - I have one Milt and I'm not sure what it really is, tag didn't help.

It hates me.

It didn't like inside, so I put it outside. At least it isn't dying anymore, but not doing much else either.

[Vivienne]

I'm glad this thread is here. I too have a Milt. Hudson Bay that has been languishing on the brink of death. I've lost several/many of the once glorious pbulbs. I've moved it here and there and everywhere not realizing (Boy do I feel like an idiot) the cool/wet culture needs. Since I recently created a little cool mist shelving area for my Masdevallia, Restrepia and Pleuro, I've moved my Milt in there and also repotted it to to S/H. Stay tuned!

[Sharyn]

I have one Miltoniopsis Red Tide and one Miltonia phalaenopsis. I have to grow them inside on my West windowsill which has a blind to control the late sun. They both seem to like our cooler evenings. Each has recently bloomed and now each starting a new growth.

I posted this link elsewhere, but perhaps you might like to see the article for growing Miltoniopsis. The article is quite in depth but answered most of my questions.

Miltoniopsis culture

Here's the pics of my recent blooms. These are relatively small plants and the first blooms were a little immature with their markings on the flowers. Hopefully, next flowers will be a bit more showy.

[Tobi]

Sharyn,
Those are both beautiful. They've always been one of my favorite blooms,
but when I was just starting out growing orchids, I had 2 of them that both
met their demise to my inexperience with watering them. I'm going to try
and grow them again soon. They really need the light with cooler temps,
so I have to find a suitable location for them in the future.

[Sharyn]

I just found this link on the Miltonia culture which gave me some better clues to watering and lighting over the winter time. For temperatures, you'll need to convert to Farrenheit.

This article states that the Miltonia doesn't like temperatures over 75-80F in the summer or they won't flower. Maybe mine did ok because it was in the air-conditioning all summer? I was reluctant to put it outdoors - afraid of too much heat and too much light. I also noted the article claims that 57F is the lowest night temperature for the winter. So, I should be ok since there should be no problem here in Illinois keeping those intermediate temperatures.
Good luck with yours.

http://www.ivensorchids.co.uk/miltonia.htm

Here's the converter: http://www.digitaldutch.com/unitconverter/

p.s. forgot to add: I never use my tap water for the Miltonia - they don't like hard water.

[PhalPal]

Thanks for the links Sharyn. When I got my milt I was planning on getting lights and starting an indoor greenhouse. Truth be told, it just sucked me right in!! It has been in the wrong conditions all summer so I will bring it inside; it will soon be too cool at night. When I got it the bark it was in was BONE dry and it was falling out of the pot. The buds blasted the first week. At this point, I should be glad it has not met it's maker. I'll try harder.

Late Note: excellent links on Milt Culture from Sharyn! Very informative.