Why are Miltoniopsis (Pansey Orchid) not popular

[samgeo]

Originally Posted by AJW

Info indicates there has been quite a gap from when Miltoniopsis (Mps) were first discovered and subsequently started to appear in collections and on display at shows.
Down under in New Zealand there appears to be a resurgence but a shortage of stock.
I stumbled upon them by accident and have been lucky having plants awarded and gained a place at shows.
Mps have there growing challenge but surly that is part of the overall orchid game. The attached photos are but of a few I have flowered and my set up I will enjoy any feedback. Yellow ones seem to be the most difficult to obtain so a group in NZ are about to embark on an Yellow Mps breeding program.

Personally, I can't grow them.... but I ADORE that yellow one you have pictured... love it, love it, love it.

[aliceinwl]

That’s good to hear! All of my long term intergeneric Oncidium types, and Zygopetalum types have been doing well outside. But, I made the mistake of putting a new winter acquisition Zygopetalum and Miltonia straight outside. The Miltonia got a lot of cold damage and I may have killed the Zygopetalum. So, I’ve been putting those two and the Miltoniopsis in the garage every night to take the brunt off the night time lows.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

That’s good to hear! All of my long term intergeneric Oncidium types, and Zygopetalum types have been doing well outside. But, I made the mistake of putting a new winter acquisition Zygopetalum and Miltonia straight outside. The Miltonia got a lot of cold damage and I may have killed the Zygopetalum. So, I’ve been putting those two and the Miltoniopsis in the garage every night to take the brunt off the night time lows.

I have found that most new winter acquisitions need some pampering, even if they theoretically can tolerate cool temperatures - typically, commercial growers don't push the envelope on the low end, so the plant isn't acclimated. I wait until night temps are above 55 deg F or so before putting them outside. Then they have the full range of natural temperatures before the next winter, and have a chance to acclimate. (If a plant comes from a nursery along the coast that does outdoor growing like Andy's or Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, plants come already acclimated - love it!)

Miltoniopsis is just plain tricky - the people with a lot of heat call them "cool growers" and the people with outdoor growing, cool winter nights, call them "warm growing" Actually, they're just "narrow range" - not liking temperatures much below 50-55 deg F, or or above 80 deg F. I have actually found better cold-tolerance on Miltonia than Miltoniopsis. Still picky.

[estación seca]

There's a difference between Miltonia and Miltoniopsis. At one time they were both in genus Miltonia. Hobbyists called the cool-growing ones with wide flowers "pansy face Miltonias." The ones with smaller petals were called "warm growing Miltonias." Then taxonomists decided they should be in different genera. The warm-growing ones are now called Miltonia and the pansy face ones are called Miltoniopsis.

Many Miltonias would probably not like sudden cold temperatures, though some can tolerate it. Do you know whether your plant that had trouble with the cold was a Miltonia or a Miltoniopsis?

[aliceinwl]

I think it's a Miltonia. It's a NOID but looks identical to Miltonia Sunset. The cold damage looks to be mainly cosmetic and doesn't seem to be getting worse since I started putting it in the garage at night. We've had a sting of nights getting into the mid 30s so right now everyone outside but the Cymbidiums are going in the garage in case temps dip into freezing.

[Danie]

I used to have 2 Miltoniopsis, only this one survived. Not sure what I did wrong with the other.
It has been growing on my window sill, on the southern part of the house. I keep its soil damp.

I am not sure what kind of fertilizer I should use. Could you give me a hint?

Thank you.

[AJW]

try low nitrogen fert during summer (weekly)and a high potassium phosphate fert during Autumn to spring (Monthly)

[chantrelle]

Originally Posted by Danie

I used to have 2 Miltoniopsis, only this one survived. Not sure what I did wrong with the other.
It has been growing on my window sill, on the southern part of the house. I keep its soil damp.

I am not sure what kind of fertilizer I should use. Could you give me a hint?

Thank you.

I’m just a beginner and got my second Miltoniopsis today, at the Montreal orchid expo, but I’ve been reading a lot about Miltoniopsis since I like them so much.

Would it be possible it had to much light ? From what I’ve read they like a little bit more light than Phal. for sure less than Cattleya. But as I said, this is from reading not experience, the one I bought last year is spiking right now, so no experience at all.

Do you know the name of the hybride on your picture ? It is very beautifull

---------- Post added at 06:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:42 AM ----------

Originally Posted by AJW

The attached photos are but of a few I have flowered and my set up I will enjoy any feedback.

Oh ! You sure do have very pretty Miltoniopsis

I don’t know about the availability of specific cultivars but they are not hard to find here in Canada. There sure was a few cultivars to chose from at the orchid show I was at today.

Most of the orchid people I know that would be interested in Miltoniopsis believes that they are difficult.

For sure being in East Canada the climate should be easier to grow them but with the heat system in the winter the houses can get quit dry here. But still I had no problem growing mine in semi-hydro.

I intend to grow my new one in a mix of small bark, perlite
and Sphaigne, I just I haven’t decided if it will be, 25% - 25%- 50% or 50% - 25% - 25% as I do with the Oncidium ?

[Danie]

[QUOTE=chantrelle;871391]I’m just a beginner and got my second Miltoniopsis today, at the Montreal orchid expo, but I’ve been reading a lot about Miltoniopsis since I like them so much.

Would it be possible it had to much light ? From what I’ve read they like a little bit more light than Phal. for sure less than Cattleya. But as I said, this is from reading not experience, the one I bought last year is spiking right now, so no experience at all.

Do you know the name of the hybride on your picture ? It is very beautifull [COLOR="Silver"]

Chantrelle,
Thank you for you reply...I am not sure of the name of my Miltoniopsis. Only what is on the tag which says: Milt. Breathless "Hilo Galaxy" JC/AOS which doesn't say much to me...

[estación seca]

Bump.

A very beautiful plant!

People here grow Miltoniopsis and should be able to help you. (It's too hot here.)