My New Miltoniopsis- Shipping Damage!

[christinek]

Hi Everyone,


I actually ended up posting these pics and situation in another post of someone who has the same Miltoniopsis. And I need as much feedback as I can get. My poor new chid has sustained damage while in shipping. Mostly from the heat. Because during shipping, it was well in the high 90's. I took some pics of the plant as of today. The spikes are dying and a few leaves are turning yellowish brown.

Basically.. Celcat has been very helpful. I just wanted to show the community here and get as much feedback as possible.. I don't want my chid to die..

Thanks Guys!

[jbigio]

Well if you ask me from the pic i think the plant is fine the flowers have run there course maybe early from the heat and the one spike will most likly blast but I say this over and over are we buying the flowers or the plant? If you could only save one would it be the flowers or the plant? the small lower leaves turning brown is fairly common after a bloom. remember they dont keep the leaves forever. the rest of the plant looks good to me. have you checked the roots? Also I would cut all the spikes to give more energy to thr plant.
Joe

[christinek]

No... I haven't checked the roots.. Not yet anyways.. I wasn't sure about the waterings or how often that is anyway for this type of plant. The damage on the leaves just started the day after i got it.. So this is why i'm concerned.. I have already lost one before in years past. I'm hoping this time out. I can do it right..

[hera]

I would cut the spike and give the plant a cool shaded rest for a few days. Let it recuperate and don't overwater. It will be fine.

[christinek]

Thank you Hera.. I think im going to cut these spikes off now.. one spike even was new and not even opened.. And the buds are all yellowing and falling off.. That's a sad thing to see.. Especially on something you just bought. And furthermore, to worry more about losing the plant all together..

[patticake]

Many plants go into a sort of shock when they have gone through the trauma of the mail. Even taking a plant home from a local greenhouse can send it into shock from the drastic change in environment. Milts like coolish temps and a good drink to boot! They don't like to dry out. If it got dry and hot during the shipping, and then came into a new environment from what it was used to, it's no wonder it's doing some odd things. The plant looks pretty good if you ask me. The blooms look like crap- but that's to be expected. I'm surprised they shipped it in flower. Take care of her and she'll give you a great show next year.

[christinek]

I hope so Patti.. I just finished cutting all the spikes off. Hopefully that will help give her strength to recoop.. I'll be sure to keep watering every other day while still in warm season.. And she is getting nothing but indirect light right now.. (fingers crossed)

I'm also not in the best of moods.. We just hit with the remains of that hurricane Hanna.. And she broke a couple of my orchid flowers off outside and broke off the main flowering stem of my Yellow Angel Trumpet Tree.. Not the best of days.. But I suppose things could be worse huh?

[kid a]

Aww, poor thing. Cristine, I think It'll pull through just fine. It really doesn't look that bad. I have seen some that look alot worse in general garden stores here that they have "revived". Don't worry and just give lots of tlc. Here is the AOS | Miltonia if that helps. This is from the A to Z section of AOS, I hope I can post this here:
Temperature:Intermediate to cool temperatures. Daytime highs should not exceed 80F.
Light: Bright intermediate light (1800-2500 footcandles or about 75% shade.
Water-Humidity: While having pseudobulbs, plants do not like to dry out completely for extended lengths of time. They benefit from 40-60% humidity, and excellent air movement. One unmistakable sign of insufficient watering is horizontal, accordion-like pleating of the developing new growth.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer applied at half strength every other watering or a good timed-release product.
Potting: The roots of Miltoniopsis are fine, requiring a fine potting mix. Many growers use a mix of fine firbark, perlite and charcoal although any good fine-grade epiphytic mix should be adequate.
References: Bechtel, Cribb, Launert, The Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species, 3rd edition, MIT Press, 1992.
Hawkes, Alex, Encyclopaedia of Cultivated Orchids, Faber & Faber, London and Boston, 1965.
Sheehan, Tom and Marion,An Illustrated Survey of Orchid Genera, Timber Press, 1994.
Pridgeon, Alec, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids, Timber Press, 1992.
Author: Ron McHatton, AOS Director of Education
E-mail: rmchatton@aos.org

the web page is (member login required) AOS | Miltoniopsis

[psyc1210]

Doesn't look bad to me at all. The leaves that are browning are outside leaves, and that seems normal to lose a leaf here or there on Milts. I'd only worry if it were a leaf on the middle of the growth

[christinek]

Thank you Kid! It's nice to know people care.. And thank you for the care sheet.. I'm going to do my best to make sure she makes it.. So far, so good.. All the conditions are good that i'm already providing.. And the airconditioning helps too lol.. Nice and cool 70-72 degrees.. Thanks so much! And thank you also Jobeth!

[patticake]

Originally Posted by christinek

I hope so Patti.. I just finished cutting all the spikes off. Hopefully that will help give her strength to recoop.. I'll be sure to keep watering every other day while still in warm season.. And she is getting nothing but indirect light right now.. (fingers crossed)

I'm also not in the best of moods.. We just hit with the remains of that hurricane Hanna.. And she broke a couple of my orchid flowers off outside and broke off the main flowering stem of my Yellow Angel Trumpet Tree.. Not the best of days.. But I suppose things could be worse huh?

You said it... Things can ALWAYS be worse. No matter how bad things seem.

I have a peach Angel trumpet that my friend adopted for me since I can't have anything that big where I am. You can chop the heck out of those babies and they'll come back!

I'm really sorry about the damage on your plants. That sucks. We're getting the remains of Hanna as I type. Just rain now that it's up this far. Consider yourself hugged Tomorrow will be better- I hope!

[kid a]

Hey, you are welcome, lol! I just love Milts sooo much, but I still don't have one, so sad. Anyways, I'm glad you got it since I don't have one I can look forward to your pictures next time she blooms, and Celcat does awesome with hers too I love her collection, I think I love everyone's collection, lol! I am sure once it adjusts it'll perk right up!

[christinek]

Yes Patti.. I hear ya.. I'm in PA.. So I can't have anything that big either.. I will have to bring my Angel Trumpet in come the end of this season.. I just planted it from a baby too Patti.. And I actually got it to bloom.. Usually they say don't expect any blooms the first season. Because it's getting established . They do say to expect 3 to 4 feet of growth though in the first season.. That I can say I got! lol And got lucky enough to have 12 inch trumpets.. The one that broke is on my desk as we speak stinking up my room with it's great perfume scent! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I'm really glad to hear that though Patti.. About chopping them and they come back.. Just it's a little late in the season I think for it to grow any more blooms now.. Since the main stalk was broke that had the buds.. But you never know your luck in the big city.. lol So where do you keep your peach trumpet? In a nice big plant tub to? oh, btw.. I have pics of it before Hanna came and raped and pillaged my yard.. They're in my albums under, 'my garden' if you're interested to see what i've been crying about.. LOLOL

Hey kid.. Maybe if my Milt survives and perhaps puts off all new growth.. I may send you one.. we gotta get you a milt girl! lol

[articuno75]

From what I see in the pic I see some pleating on the leaves, an indication of dehydration. I would check the roots to be on the safe side.

If they dried out during shipping,,, or even worse yet, overheated while in the box.......

[kid a]

I am debating between looking for another neo or darwinara, a cym of some sort, a Milt, or some miniature of something when I go to oak hill and the other place later this month. I am expecting my jaw to hit the floor once I get Oak hill, how will I choose? They are supposed to be having a sale for the CIOS members so who knows what I'll end up coming home with, lol!

[christinek]

Jenny, what if it did get completely dehydrated from shipping.. What do I do? Should I expect it to die? Or is there more I can do for this plant dear?

[christinek]

Originally Posted by kid a

I am debating between looking for another neo or darwinara, a cym of some sort, a Milt, or some miniature of something when I go to oak hill and the other place later this month. I am expecting my jaw to hit the floor once I get Oak hill, how will I choose? They are supposed to be having a sale for the CIOS members so who knows what I'll end up coming home with, lol!

ohhhh lucky lucky! Make sure to take lots of pics girl! I wanna see.. hehehe

[psyc1210]

The pleating looks minimal though. Like Jenny said, def check the roots. I have a Milt that has some pleating, and since I added my fountain and kept the humidity higher, there has been no additional pleating. I haven't changed my watering schedule. The pleating can be caused by low humidity too. If you make sure that it's being watered well, and humidity is high enough, you shouldn't have any more pleating.

[christinek]

psyc? I know this sounds stupid.. but what exactly does pleating look like.. I can honestly say I don't know this.. For example.. What portion of the leaves am I looking at? And the roots.. what sort of damage if any, am i looking for with this plants root system?

Thanks in Advance..

[psyc1210]

It's on the right side of the plant you have pictured. Halway up the leaves, there are little horizontal pleats on the leaf. Yours are VERY small

Check to see if the roots are rotted, if they are dried out, if they are healthy looking, etc.

[psyc1210]

Here's an example of larger pleats in the leaves.

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/o...002462.im.jpeg

[christinek]

ahhhhhhhh.. I see now.. Ok.. And yeah, my Sharry Baby has alot of those.. But it don't stop her from flowering.. Thank God! LOL But anyway.. I'm hoping with the right watering and care.. That will go away on the Milt... It's definately another result of the heat and shipping ordeal.. Thanks so much for that info JoBeth.. Oh.. I need to check the roots.. I'll get back to you on that hon.. Thanks!

[kid a]

Its where the leaves are wrinkled. One of my new Restrepias has severe leaf pleating to the point the leaves a basically Folded over in half from top to bottom. This is the area on your she was talking about it's in the upper right hand corner of the pics.

[psyc1210]

The pleating does not go away...once the leaves show pleating, the pleating stays. It's kind of a sign that tells you whether you're watering and keeping humidity at the right level for the plant. If new growth and leaves do not show pleating, you know you're doing the right thing.

[kid a]

Well, lol, it took me a minute to crop those, lol! Oh well.

[christinek]

Originally Posted by kid a

Its where the leaves are wrinkled. One of my new Restrepias has severe leaf pleating to the point the leaves a basically Folded over in half from top to bottom. This is the area on your she was talking about it's in the upper right hand corner of the pics.

Edit: oh dang it wouldn't upload the pic of yours, lol! But here is the restrepia of mine that is pleated badly.

WOW! Now that's some wrinkling.. Break out an iron.. LOL As long as it's not actually hurting the plant.. I suppose that's ok. But I prefer it to be the way it would be in the wild.. So I try my best anyways.. lol Is the wrinkling of your plant due to humidity issues? Or something else Kortney?

[christinek]

Ok.. This thread is becoming very educational.. Thank you for all this info guys!

[kid a]

It was on the edge of a bench so it didn't get as much water from the overhead system at Hoosier orchids. The picture is from about three weks or so ago, it looks better now since the leaves aren't quite so red, that new growth has a big pleat in it too, its hard to see cuz the leaf is a pale yellow, but now it a healthy green but still pleated

[christinek]

Originally Posted by kid a

It was on the edge of a bench so it didn't get as much water from the overhead system at Hoosier orchids. The picture is from about three weks or so ago, it looks better now since the leaves aren't quite so red, that new growth has a big pleat in it too, its hard to see cuz the leaf is a pale yellow, but now it a healthy green but still pleated

Ya know? I'm thinking about breaking out the steamer.. Gets out pleats and gives humidity. LOL

I'm sorry to hear about your pleats kortney.. But I suppose we can only do our best to make our chids happy.. I know I go far and beyond the normal gardener.. I'm obsessed.. sorry to say.. lol

[kid a]

I am too! LOL! Oh well they were cheap since they were closing down and this was in bloom so I knew what the flowers were. Eventually those leaves will fall off ad there will be newer ones. So later down the road as long as things go well it will look way better. It's no where near show quality anyways so it worth the cheap price It blooms like crazy for me!

[Orchidementia]

I have a number of milts, and if this were mine, this is what I'd do:

Take it out of the pot and old mix; clean and trim bad roots; soak in warm water with SuperThrive and repot as tight as possible in fine bark mix. Milts LOVE to be repotted and LOVE being watered, so don't worry about repotting.

I'd keep it a little darker than usual for a few days and definitely cool and then bounce it outside to normal conditions ... but I tell my milts to put on their big girl pants when they get to my place!

Your plant looks okay to me - I bought one a few weeks ago (a Bert Field) that looked horrible; yours looks pretty darn good, actually!

[Celcat]

Originally Posted by jbigio

I say this over and over are we buying the flowers or the plant?
Joe

For me, I buy the plant for the flowers! No flowers, what would be the point to buy the plant?! Ok, the flowers will come back, but only if you give the appropriate care. Nothing more frustrating when you buy a plant with flowers for the first time and the flowers go bust. That means you have to wait.

Christine,

Your plant will not die, it looks healthy. It is pity that the flowers went bust. I am sure that in few weeks, you will see new growth.I wont be surprise if it happens within 3 weeks.

Good luck

[christinek]

Thank you Cel.. Good news to hear like that is always nice! I just woke up.. And I'm going to go make coffee and check on my babies..

[Celcat]

Originally Posted by kid a

and Celcat does awesome with hers too I love her collection, I think I love everyone's collection, lol!

thank so much Kortney, I really appreciate the compliment. I love your collection too and the others

Christine, I am sorry i did not realize that you were on the way of Hanna. I hope you did not have too much losses; you have a such beautiful garden ...

[christinek]

Thanks Celcat!

Beleive it or not.. The majority of the damage was actually a couple orchids on my table.. (not to bad thank god) and my broken Angel Trumpet. But Patti tells me that you can cut the heck out of them babies and they come back.. So I look forward to seeing what it will do now to replace itself due to the damage. I can say I'm not very happy.. I was shocked that I got it to bloom in the begin with.. And was really looking forward to the minimal display for the season.. Once they get of a good size .. They throw off hoards of trumpets and they're 10 to 12 inches long each with a strong perfume fragrance that starts after like 5:00pm.. Mine is just a youngin.. I planted it this spring and it's grown 4 feet at least in one season.. So next season with any luck.. It will just be amazing..

P.S. Patti, hope you don't mind.. I snatched your fingers crossed.. I love it! LOL

[chefatplay]

Wow, it continues to surprise me how many of us were affected by Hannah. Here's to getting through her!!!!!! We lost both of our Avocado trees, just too much standing water for too many days, especially after Fay. Oh well,...... another avocado to eat another seed to root.

I,too, think this thread became very educational. I didn't know what pleating was until now. My new Dend. Thyrsiumm(sp?)has pleated leaves. When I first bought it, these leaves were just coming out. I obviously underwatered it the first two weeks. Live and learn. I have moved it since, thank heavens.

[christinek]

Yep, I always say.. You learn something new everyday.. And I personally thought I knew alot regarding orchids in general. That was before I got here.. This is like being in school for orchids.. Just fine with me! lol

Sorry to hear about your trees.. I was actually laying in my lawn chair today enjoying the beautiful weather we're having now.. Not a cloud in the sky.. If you can believe that.. LOL

[patlee]

Christine, I just brought my Miltonia inside to repot it after it had bloomed its little heart out. This is my first Miltonia and I had no idea what to expect, but it looks like Orchidementia is right!! I guess they do love to be repotted. I cut the old bloom spikes and put it in the next- size- up-pot. It was really squished in the four-inch pot the grower had it in Anyway, I expected it to go dormant--after expending all it's energy I thought it needed a period of rest. What do I know about these beautiful plants? It is throwing another spike, much to my surprise. Bottom line: there is definitely hope for you Miltoniopsis--don't give up on her And, if you are still worried, this is a Revive Formula(I think it is from Brookn) that works wonders of things that look much worse than your Mltps. Mix well 3/4 cup granulated sugar with 3-4 drops of Superthrive ( or 1 finely crushed Centrum vitamin pill). Add 1/2 tsp. epsom salts & 1 tsp. liquid dish detergent. All this goes in 1 gallon of water.
Submerge the plant (pot & all) in the solution for 4 hours.,then drain. Take a towel that's been dampened w/this solution & wrung out until just moist. Wrap the plant in this moist towel overnight and keep in a warm (70-75 degrees) place. The plant will revive by the next day. Unwrap and run tepid water over the plant & medium to remove any residual sugar.
This might be overkill, because I think your plant will pull though with little problemReally too bad you lost the flowers,though

[christinek]

Patti!! I'm going to save this post to my favs so I can use it when needed.. But now i'm just waiting for a period of ajustment to pass for my Milt.. Then i'm going to update her pot.. And new medium

Quick question though, Do miltoniopsis roots grow fast and wide? I'm asking this.. Figuring perhaps they like the repotting so much due to root expansion and growth..

[christinek]

Since my last post about this type of orchid.. I have been carefully taking care of my miltonopsis and have been getting great results.. So far, it's grown new growth and seems to be pretty healthy. With that, I've went and purchased another Miltonopsis and this one in my opinion is to die for.. Just beautiful.. If I'm not mistaken, it may actually be Miltonopsis Maui Falls.. But the color and patterns on this plant are extrordinary.. Enjoy!

Btw, missed all of you guys.. Been really busy with life.. But I check in now and again to see what's going on. And it's that time of the season again to buy more orchids.. LOL I will post the pics here..

Also.. I just ordered an orchid i've been after for many years now .. I can't wait to get it.. It's a Dendrobium speciosum ssp pedunculatum. As far as I know, it's supposed to very thick in substance and extremely fragrant..

[patticake]

Yowzers!! Your plants look great!! It's good to hear form you! I know that life gets in the way sometimes. I'm glad that you touch base. We missed you!

[christinek]

Thanks Patti .. It's great to hear from you to.. I may not of been able to hang out on Orchid Geeks as much.. But I never forgot my babies.. (the orchids) lol

I'm glad you like my little display.. So far that's what I got blooming aside from an epidendrium in the main orchid window.. All my Catts and Dendrobium are shooting out new growths so far for this season and I can't wait to see more as they grow..

[patticake]

Awesome! Don't completely forget us, ok?

[hera]

Thanks for the update, they look wonderful.

[sunshine]

What a beautifu, healthy milt Love the colors I have a milt and it's the one in my avatar. This year it gave me 4 spikes but one got trapped down inside the leaf and broke. Ended up with 3 spikes of white
flowers w/yellow center. The scent it just wonderful. I'm debating on whether
to repot this year. Right now it seems very happy in it's original pot sitting in the east kitchen window. This milt has been in the same pot for at least 2 yrs. I need to start putting little sticks w/ dates on them so I can tell how old they are

[christinek]

Thank you Sunshine! LOL stop that dribbling!! LMAO

Yes, when I saw this plant I had to have it.. The original pictures i saw of it didn't do it justice.. I think the pics i have taken are a bit more to the exact of how this plant looks.. The blooms are fairly huge and yes, they do have a scent.. Reminds me of Roses.. And in the morning.. It has a stronger scent that I can't quite describe.. But it tickles your nose.. I do know that much.. LOL

Btw Sunshine.. That milt you have is gorgeous! I love that yellow and white combo and they look just fabulous!

Also, I'll be repotting this new miltonopsis soon.. I repotted the other one twice already.. And being as I did, I am noticing rapid root growth.. That tells me this plant likes it.. So if I want to keep my milt in the same pot for a couple years.. I need to find a nice size one that I know she can grow into and enjoy for the years to come..