Miltonia

Miltonia orchid is a very beautiful house plant that flower growers love so much and always try to grow it in their apartments on the windowsills. The name of the plant sounds similar to the surname of a very famous scientist collector who grew the Englishman Milton's orchids.

Orchid Miltonia: description and characteristics

Miltonia Orchid: photo

Orchid Miltonia belongs to herbaceous perennial plants and belongs to the Orchid family. In the wild, this plant is found in Colombia, and you can also see it in Brazil. Currently, the mountain species of this culture are separated into a completely different species, which is called Miltoniopsis. Relatively recently, they were combined into one type of orchid, which is discussed in this article. Most often, the plant is found in those areas and territories where it is humid and damp, as well as which are characterized by frequent precipitation in the form of rain. Miltonia is an epiphytic plant. This means that such an orchid is characterized by the presence of aerial roots, as well as stems that are located at the base. They are also called pseudobulbs.

Miltonia's leaf plates are long and have an unusual color that fluctuates between yellow and gray. The shade of the flowers can be completely different. The flowers are very bright, beautiful, have petals, on the surface of which you can see a wide variety of patterns, similar to a butterfly.

Panicle-shaped Miltonia bulbs, which are called false, are also characteristic of this plant species. Then several shoots grow from them, which differ from each other in color, so the color of the stems can be pink, yellow, red or white.

Outwardly, Miltonia orchid looks like an exotic plant, because it has unusual flowers and leaves. However, this culture is very simple and some species even resemble Pansies in shade of flowers. The genus in question consists of two dozen different types of orchids. In addition, there are a large number of hybrids. The most popular of these is miltassia.

Miltonia Orchid: home care

Miltonia Orchid: photo

Miltonia orchid is very easy to grow, and does not require some additional attention from the grower. It is only important to know some of the features of the plant. So, for good growth and development of a plant, sufficient heat and a lot of light are needed. It is better if the light is diffused or you can artificially create a small partial shade. If there is enough light, then the color of the leaves will have a pink tint. If the bright sun hits the surface of the leaves, then their color may change and a burn may occur.

A suitable temperature in spring and summer for Miltonia at home should be around 20 degrees. If this is the winter period, then the indicator should not exceed 18 degrees, and sharp fluctuations in temperature should also be avoided, since the plant reacts extremely negatively to this. The difference that will not harm the orchid is 3 or 4 degrees. The room where the orchid grows needs to be periodically ventilated. However, at this time, it is necessary to remove the plant in order to prevent a draft from entering.

If you notice that at home, Miltonia's leaves begin to curl and become like an accordion, and that there are fewer shoots or they are small, then the temperature regime is not suitable for this species.

The optimum humidity level in the room where the orchid is grown should be 70%.Small errors are allowed, but this figure should not be less than 60.

If there is not enough humidity, the air in the room will be dry, then the orchid will grow much slower, and the flowers will dry out prematurely, and in general the bush will be weak. A directly proportional relationship is observed precisely in the temperature and humidity regime: the hotter the room, the more humidity should be. If the humidity is insufficient, it is necessary to artificially create it by installing humidifiers, placing buckets of water, basins next to it, and you can also place wet stones in the pallet. Regular ventilation will help maintain optimal humidity levels.

Also, the Miltonia orchid at home is very demanding on abundant watering. This is especially true for the spring and summer seasons. It is important to monitor the condition of the soil and prevent it from completely drying out. If excess liquid has formed in the pan, it must be drained so that the plant does not rot. It is best to organize watering using the "hot shower" method. The water temperature for irrigation should be 45 degrees. Such conditions will be similar to those of wild orchids. After all the moisture has drained from the plant, from its leaves and stems, you must wipe them with a dry cloth. In winter, the amount of watering is significantly reduced.

Like any plant, it is necessary to feed the Miltonia orchid about once every 14 days. In addition to root fertilizers, foliar feeding can also be used by processing from a spray bottle with a nutrient mixture or solution. Subject to regular feeding, the orchid will bloom very beautifully and for a long time.

Miltonia: photo of an orchid

After the pseudobulbs are ripe, the plant prepares for the dormant stage. In doing so, you will notice that the new and old shoots will be of the same size. During the dormant period, the orchid should be placed in a room where the air temperature is no more than 15 degrees, and, as described above, watering should be reduced. Miltonia orchid should be kept in a cool and dry place throughout the winter. The rest period will last approximately two months. When the plant begins to form new peduncles, this means the orchid is leaving the dormant stage, so care should be resumed again.

If we are talking about the summer season, then the Miltonia orchid will feel very comfortable if you hang it on the trees that grow on the site.

Miltonia orchid needs a stable transplant twice a year. The optimal time for transplanting will be the beginning of flowering, when the peduncles are not yet higher than 5 cm.More often, it is not advised to transplant the plant. In order to transplant an orchid, you need to carefully dig up the plant from the previous container and clean it of the previous soil. Everything must be done, being careful not to damage the roots. It is necessary to plant the plant in a larger container. Previously, you need to put drainage in a new pot and fill it with loose light soil mixed with coniferous chips, and also add fine charcoal there.

After the plants are transplanted, watering should only be started after 4 days. Until this time, it is only necessary to spray the plant. Also, during transplanting, it should be remembered that you do not need to plant the plant too deeply.

The orchid reproduces vegetatively using a cuttings. Thus, it is necessary to cut off a small shoot from an adult plant, on which there will be about 3 or more pseudobulbs, and plant it in a new separate container.

Diseases and pests

Miltonia: photo of an orchid

Miltonia orchid is also susceptible to certain diseases and attack by insect pests. The popular ones are thrips, scale insects and whiteflies.

The presence of thrips can be recognized by the presence of gray dots on the entire surface of the leaf. In this case, the leaf plate can change its hue to silver.

To find out that the plant has been affected by whiteflies, then you need to pay attention to the back of the leaf plate, where you will also see light or yellow spots. If you do not take any measures, the plant will lose its color or turn brown, after which the plant will soon die.

Scabbards also often attack the orchid, which are characterized by sticky brown plaques on the leaves and stems.

Plant species

• Miltonia is brilliant. This culture feels very good and comfortable both in warm and cold rooms, therefore it is in demand among flower growers. This plant is characterized by a certain form of pseudobulbs, as well as a yellow tint of leaves, which outwardly resemble a belt. This species blooms with very large inflorescences that have a creamy shade. You can also see the pink tint of the petals. The flowering period is in August - September.
• Miltonia yellowish... This plant is native to Argentina. It is characterized by a straw shade of leaves, which have a pointed end, as well as two-leaved pseudobulbs. The flowering period lasts here all spring and almost all summer. The flowers here are small and have a snow-white shade.

• Miltonia is snow-white. This plant has one or two peduncles, which form about five large flowers with a bright pronounced aroma. The shade of the petals is yellow, and the petals themselves have an uneven surface with brown or red spots of various sizes.
• Miltonia Renelli. It is distinguished by very beautiful and delicate flowers, which, moreover, have a pleasant smell and a shiny surface. The shade of the petals here is white with a combination of pale purple.
• Miltassia. This is a hybrid that is obtained by combining miltonia and brassia. This plant has an unusual shape of flowers that form a panicle and from the side are very similar to a spider.

Miltonia Orchid: photo

In addition to the listed species, I also grow Sailing orchid,Delightful and other varieties. Among the hybrids, there are Odontonia, Degarmoaru.

Conclusion

Miltonia orchid is a very beautiful plant that is in demand among flower growers. If you follow the simple rules of care and know the peculiarities of growing this culture, the orchid will bloom very effectively, performing decorative functions.

Miltonia Orchid: home care