Miltonia spectabilis

Also known as: The Outstanding Miltonia or Miltonia spectabilis h.f. roseum Miltonia spectabilis h.v. moreliana h.f. atrorubens Miltonia spectabilis h.v. spectabilis Miltonia spectabilis h.f. semialba Miltonia spectabilis h.f. rosea Oncidium spectabilis h.v. moreliana Oncidium spectabile Oncidium spectabile h.v. moorelianum Oncidium spectabile h.v. bicolor Miltonia spectabilis var. bicolor Miltonia spectabilis var. purpureoviolacea Macrochilus fryanus Miltonia spectabilis h.f. alba Miltonia spectabilis var. virginalis Miltonia spectabilis var. rosea Miltonia bicolor Miltonia spectabilis var. radians Miltonia spectabilis var. porphyroglossa Miltonia spectabilis var. lineata Miltonia spectabilis var. aspersa in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Bahia - Brazil Espirito Santo - Brazil Pernambuco - Brazil

General Information

The Outstanding Miltonia is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 18-25cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 10-30cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-10cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

These orchids grow in cool climates, at low altitudes, in cool plains, forests or coastal scrub.

They are forgiving of humidity variances as long as temperatures are kept on the cool side. They can do well outdoors in the garden in cool and temperate areas, though it is important that they are protected from warm dry winds. They can enjoy morning sun especially in winter but will need protection from the hot sun in the afternoon and during summer. With some acclimatisation they may be able to receive more sun.

 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 53mm to 160mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 82% to 86%, highest in March and lowest in July. Temperature ranges from 13C to 26C, highest in August (18C to 26C) and lowest in January (13C to 20C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. This plant is sensitive so apply fertiliser sparingly at one quarter recommended strength or less. Use a low Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser year round. Reduce fertiliser when plant is dormant during Spring.

Potting

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs.