Miltonia question

[BunnytheOrchid]

Hi everyone!
I just came back from spring break, so to recover from leaving my family (again) for school, I bought a very lovely orchid which I believe is a miltonia. Its flowers look an awful lot like a pansy flower. I printed out a culture sheet from AOS, but it says there is a difference between miltonia (warm grower) and miltoniopsis (cool-grower). Problem is, it doesn't specify how to tell the difference between the two. I don't have pictures yet, though I plan to post some soon. But can someone tell me how to tell the difference, if there is an obvious one? Also when it says water plentifully, how should I interpret that? I have the most experience with phals and some with cattleyas, so how do miltonias compare to them?

Thanks all!

[MSPProductions]

The 'pansy orchids' are normally Miltoniopsis. Many time they are mislabeled as Miltonias.
I'm not 100% sure but I do believe that most Miltoniopsis have one leaf from it's pseudobulb, while Miltonia have two...but don't quote me on that.

[evagentry]

The flat pansy flowers are miltoniopsis, as for watering, probably don't let them dry out.

[patticake]

They also don't like a huge temp. range- not below 50(F) and not above 80(F)- keep the pot on the small side and evenly damp. Not soggy and not dry!

[arleneg]

In addition, to the above advice, Miltonias like medium to bright indirect light. Eastern or western sun will also make them happy.

MSPProd. -- I, too, have wondered what the difference is between Miltonias and Miltoniopsises.

[MSPProductions]

I did receive the Oncidium Baker book for christmas and have read much of the Miltoniopsis section but not the Miltonia section. It's interesting to see the climate conditions in their natural habitat, from species to species.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Thank you for the quick feedback Here are some pictures of the actual plant. Sounds like its a miltoniopsis. I plan on watering it tomorrow and having been misting it the past two days in the morning with my other orchids. It also typically is on a humidity tray. The temperature has been anywhere from 60-70F, depending on if I turn my heater on. I do have a question about the droopy leaf. It has a slice in the middle of the leaf. Will it survive?

[psyc1210]

oh, this makes me so jealous. I'm waiting for my Miltoniopsis to bloom. I have a Hajime Ono 'Black Falls', and I can see the flower buds forming, but it's so slow right now!!!! Yours is beautiful!

[ann]

i have a couple and to be honest have done nothing with them except water and occasionally a feed, also have one growing in the ground, so I cant wait to see what happens to that one..have a good day

[MSPProductions]

The plant looks great. It looks like you have two new growths as well. They will tell you if the plant is not getting enough water by 'accordion-ing.' Don't be surprised if the color of the plant is more pale than your other plants, that's good.

[Joan]

Very nice healthy looking orchid you have there with lovely blooms.

[Anton]

Here's 2 images of my Miltoniopsis which hopefully may help.

When it flowered in summer I had it inside getting the draft from our ducted refrigerated aircon and it was a very happy chappy.

The house temp was 22C - 23C (71.5F - 73.5F)

[cupcake]

I love these babies! I have Milt. Red Tide which has the most wonderful rose scent. Any scent on your beauty?

[Anton]

Mine doesn't.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Thank you everyone for helping me out Its nice to hear its healthy, hopefully I can keep it that way! I agree the blooms are quite stunning, but then again, that's why I bought it! Nothing like recovering from home sickness with orchids!

Forgot to respond to cupcake! It doesn't appear to have a smell, unfortunately. That would be lovely as well, but it looks like its more of look-at-me plant than a smell-me plant!

[Sharyn]

Bunnytheorchid: I posted this link last year. It's an excellent article on Miltoniopsis and Miltonia. I have one of each and found the article very informative. Good luck with yours.
Miltoniopsis culture

oops: Here's the link for the culture article
Robert Bedard Horticulture : Miltoniopsis Culture

[BunnytheOrchid]

Thank you very much Sharyn! A very informative and thorough website!