Miltoniopsis vexillaria is native to Colombia and Ecuador. They are discovered in Colombia grows in isolated positions in the central mountain region and on the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental, from the province of Antioquia and south to Ecuador...
Miltoniopsis vexillaria also called as The Flag-Like Miltoniopsis, Miltonia vexillaria, Miltonia vexillaria var. leopoldii, Miltonia vexillaria var. rubella, Miltonia vexillaria var. stupenda, Odontoglossum vexillarium, is a species of the genus . This species was described by Godefroy-Lebeuf in 1889.
IDENTIFY MILTONIOPSIS VEXILLARIA
Miltoniopsis vexillaria is native to Colombia and Ecuador. They are discovered in Colombia grows in isolated positions in the central mountain region and on the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental, from the province of Antioquia and south to Ecuador. They grow usually on the outskirts of very humid mountain forests, at heights of 1300-2150 m. Although this species is found in many Colombia habitats, it occurs mainly in small clusters in the cold mountains of Antioquia and Caldas.
It is an erect, small sized, cool to cold growing, epiphytic orchid, which reaching 30 cm in height, with oblong-ellipsoid, compressed, ancipitous on the edges, gray green pseudobulbs enveloped basally by several, distichous, imbricating sheaths with the uppermost 3 to 6 being foliaceous and carrying a single apical, strap-like, acute, pale gray green leaf.
The Flag-Like Miltoniopsis blooms in the spring and fall on a basal, lateral, slender, arching 30 to 50 cm long inflorescence that has small lanceolate bracts, arising on a mature pseudobulb and carrying about 4 to 9, flat flowers. The flowers are 5-10 cm in diameter. They may be pink, often with white flecks on some parts, or they may be white and sometimes with pink tints or pink stripes. The lip has yellow spots at the base and chestnut strips or spots.
MILTONIOPSIS VEXILLARIA 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 vexillaria needs a light level of 18000-25000 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 of this species 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 25-28 ° C, night 14-15 ° C, which gives a daily amplitude of 11-14 ° C.
Humidity:
The Flag-Like Miltoniopsis needs the humidity during the day of average 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 vexillaria are very easily damaged when the substrate is too dry or soggy. Remaining moist, the substrate must, however, ensure adequate drainage 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:
This species 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. The plant repotting at the beginning of winter will give her time to rush before the onset of hot summer days.
Watering:
The substrate of Miltoniopsis vexillaria should always be kept moist. Do not let it completely dry. The only time when this species 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, the plant should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. You can use of nitrogen-enriched fertilizers, e.g. 30-10-10, for almost a whole year. Instead, 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. Firstly, the plants should be watered normally to dissolve the accumulated salts. After about an hour, the substrate should be rinsed with water equal to twice the volume of the container. Flushing throughout the whole year is important especially where the water is highly mineralized.
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 vexillaria cultivated 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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