Miltoniopsis not growing. When should I worry?

[Kaykay]

As the title says, it's not showing any signs at all of new growth, and hasn't since I rescued it in July.

The history is: I got this NOID at a discount as had been left outside during the heatwave and was very burnt. Only one of the spikes survived the burn and went on to flower about a week later. All seemed to go well until the spike stopped flowering, then a fungus infection set in soon after. (It's now cleared up)

With all of that trauma, maybe I shouldn't be surprised that there has been no sign at all of growth, but now some of the leaves are starting to drop (looks like normal pbulb becoming backbulb to me) and I'm worried that with no growth I''ll end up with not too much orchid left for next year.

It's grown in an East facing LARGE window, in the cooler end of intermediate temp. I'm feeding once a fortnight with slightly weaker than directed 5.3-2.2-0.85 (seedling Brassia grown in same place has just finished putting out a new growth, is sprouting roots and generally happy, as is Vuyl. Cambria) Oh yes, I'm in London, England.

It's in a clear pot, and the roots are fine,but again, no growing tips, nor any sign of there having been any growth since I acquired it.

Any ideas? Or am I just suffering from Orchid-induced neurosis I do so love this little one, and want it to survive the winter!
thanks!
Kay

[beanluc]

Originally Posted by Kaykay

When should I worry?

Not now, from the sound of it. At least it isn't declining, right? It's normal for backbulbs to drop leaves after flowering is done. It has plenty of other bulbs, right?

Sounds like it was traumatized in July. It's only been 4-5 months. I'm not surprised it would be dormant for a while.

I recommend: Reducing the water schedule, and suspending the feeding. Let it REST without trying to stimulate it. It's approaching winter, it might not perk up until the days start getting longer again. It will start to grow again.

If it were me, I'd let it get really good and dry between waterings - to the point of bulbs shriveling substantially. Then at each watering I'd let it soak up water from being immersed in a bucket for an hour.

What this would do is:
Reduce the stimulating and possible stressing effect of frequent watering.
Eliminate any potential root-rot problems which might be invisible (any rot will cease, when the roots become parched).
Provide the plant with all the water it actually wants (the soak will let it replenish its stores in the bulbs, you'll see them swell/smooth again).

I wouldn't feed it (much) again until it starts to grow. Once it starts again to grow, watering frequency could increase.

Last: I wonder if you have it on the cool side, for Miltoniopsis?

[Kaykay]

Thank you so much for the advice!
I'll give it a try- I didn't know that easing off water would help...
On the leaf dropping front, I'm just more concerned than I would otherwise be because the sunburn fried all the leaves off one pbulb already, and a couple from the other pbulbs and now a number of leaves are beginning to get that slightly yellow tip following the two which have properly dropped.

On the temperature front, I thought that Miltoniopsis liked to be cooler than their miltonia cousins. I guess an average temperature in the room is probably about 16C right now- I don't heat it up too much, but it doesn't get that cool either. And before you ask, I keep my orchids well away from the radiator!
Here's hoping for my little abused (though not at my hands!) orchid.

Kay