Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis is native to the central Colombia on the western slopes of the Cordillera Oriental near Ocana. These plants are also found near Velez, in humid forests with moderate temperatures at altitudes of 1200-1500 m...
Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis also called as The Phalaenopsis-Like Miltoniopsis, Miltonia phalaenopsis, Miltonia pulchella, Odontoglossum phalaenopsis, is a species of the genus Miltoniopsis. This species was described by Leslie Andrew Garay & Galfrid Clement Keyworth Dunsterville in 1976.
IDENTIFY MILTONIOPSIS PHALAENOPSIS
Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis is native to the central Colombia on the western slopes of the Cordillera Oriental near Ocana. These plants are also found near Velez, in humid forests with moderate temperatures at altitudes of 1200-1500 m.
It is a small sized, cool growing epiphyte, which reaching 15-30 cm in height, with ovoid, compressed, pale green pseudobulbs and carries a single, apical, linear, pale green, acuminate leaf.
The Phalaenopsis-Like Miltoniopsis blooms in the late summer and fall on an axillary, basal, 25 cm long, racemose inflorescence that is shorter than the leaves and carries 3 to 5, flat flowers. The flowers are 5.0-6.5 cm in diameter. All parts of the flower are white, only the lip has light purple streaks and spots.
MILTONIOPSIS PHALAENOPSIS CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis needs a light level of 15000-20000 lux. They creates the most flowers when it receives as much light as it can tolerate without damaging the leaves. The slightly pinkish color of the leaves indicates the optimal dose of light, while red, yellow or straw-colored leaves indicate too much light. The petals of inner and outer whorls bend at too high a level of light. The quality of flowers can often be improved if the bud is moved to a darker stand after the buds have formed.
Temperature:
It is a thermophilic plant. Throughout the year, the average daily temperature is 23-25 ° C, the night 17-18 ° C, which gives a daily amplitude of 6-7 ° C.
Humidity:
The Phalaenopsis-Like Miltoniopsis needs the average humidity during the day of 70-80%, reaching at night a maximum of 80-90%, and in the afternoon a minimum of 50-60%. If high humidity in the winter creates problems with condensation, it can be slightly lowered. The strong air movement, however, prevents condensation, even when the humidity is high.
Substrate, growing media:
Delicate, thread-like roots of Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis are easily damaged when the substrate is too dry or soggy. Therefore, the substrate, while remaining moist, must ensure a rapid outflow of excess water. You can use fine bark mixed with moisture-retaining materials, such as perlite or cut sphagnum moss. You can also use charcoal as additives, crushed oyster shells, peanut shells, thick peat, or chopped tree fern fibers. These additives vary depending on the experience in watering and general growing conditions.
Plastic pots are preferred because it is easier to keep moisture in them, but excellent drainage must be ensured. A layer of thick bark on the bottom of the pot improves the outflow of water. To improve it, you can also enlarge the holes in the pot, and even make additional ones by burning them with a suitable tool or cut-out. The fumes of melted plastic can be poisonous, so this should be done in the open or with good ventilation.
Repotting:
Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis like annual repotting. In addition to complying with the basic requirements, annual repotting is the most important activity that can ensure success in growing. Do not overdo it in large pots! The plants should be planted into small pots, providing space for increments of only one year. When repotting these plants is not about translating the plant into a larger pot with the entire old, compact body of the substrate. The entire old substrate should be removed, all damaged or diseased roots cut off, and the plant placed in fresh medium and clean pot.
It is best to perform repotting in the autumn when new roots begin to grow, and the new growth reaches half of the mature. Plant are repotting at the beginning of winter will have time to rush before the onset of hot summer days.
Watering:
The substrate of all Miltoniopsis species and hybrids should always be kept moist. Do not allow complete drying. The frequency of watering affects by many factors: the time of year, temperature and humidity, the longitude of the day, cloudy or sunny weather is, what substrate and how much pots are used, the size of the plant, when the last time the transplant was performed, whether strong ventilation. Determine if the watering time is appropriate for the weight of the pot, or you can just touch the substrate with your fingers to assess how moist it is.
The only time when Miltoniopsis should be somewhat dried up is the period just after repotting, especially if it was repotted before the growth period of new roots. Regular watering resumes immediately after emergence of new roots in fresh soil.
Fertilizer:
During the active growth, Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. Most prefer the use of nitrogen-enriched fertilizers, e.g. 30-10-10, for almost a whole year. You can also use fertilizer with less nitrogen, and higher phosphorus, e.g. 10-20-10, every 3-4 weeks. Periodic application of a fertilizer with an increased amount of phosphorus improves flowering.
Sometimes there are problems with drying up the tips of mature leaves. Although this may be a sign of lack of water, it is usually a sign of excessive salinity of the substrate. Such accumulation of salt may be the result of fertilization or the use of highly mineralized water. To prevent this, it is necessary to rinse the substrate every few weeks, especially when using high doses of fertilizers.
Rest period:
It is important to maintain a daily temperature difference of 6-11 ° C. In winter, watering should be somewhat restricted, especially in the case of Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis grown in dark, short days at moderate latitudes, or when the temperature drops below 16 ° C at night. Just in a situation where there is less light, the day is short and the temperatures lower, the plants consume less water. However, do not allow them to completely dry out. If the amount of water supplied decreases, fertilization should also be reduced until new increments are created in spring.
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