Miltoniopsis recovery advice needed.
 

Hi Guys,

I have acted rather hasilty in reaction to discovering root rot.

I bought a Miltoniopsis noid from a diy store in the summer. Had no idea how to look after it or water and got some root rot going on. When i figured out what had happened i decided to repot straight away. As i did i realised the rot had spread up into the main plant as the bulbs were brownish inside. i cut the 'rotten' plant bulbs from the two tiny healthy ones. I was very careful with the roots and it seemed like i saved a few. I watered the plant in to its 60/40 orchid compost/perlite mix and have tried to let it dry out a bit recently.

Do you have any tips to treat the poor little ones? i realise now its looking safe its not suffered from rot i should start watering thoroughly?

Help me please peeps!?

:bump::bump::bump:

i'm sure you'll be getting good advice soon--i wish i knew more about your orchid type

Another leaf has fallen off my plant, has anybody got some advice for me?

i'm thinking of re-potting her soon, will be buying some CHC's. Does anyone have a good suggestion for some kind of potting mix.

At the moment she is sitting towards the back of a SW facing window in my room.

Any tips?

I'm struggling with these a bit myself so can't be much help. Yours actually looks like the oldest of mine, wish just a couple of leaves and a wrinkled p-bulb. My newer one is losing leaves but from advise I have got that my be normal as it's p-bulbs are fine.

I'm just trying to keep it averagely moist and see what happens.

Hope that the following helps some:

From Charles and Margaret Baker.
This was originally printed in 1993 in the American Orchid Society Bulletin, part one 62(8):794-799, and part two 62(9):901-908


WATER: All Miltoniopsis species and their hybrids need to be kept evenly moist. They should never be allowed to dry out completely. This "evenly moist" instruction is not a phrase intended to keep beginners confused and feeling like outsiders. Rather, it is an attempt to describe a concept that new growers often find difficult to grasp when all they really want is an answer the deceptively simple question, "How often should I water this thing?"

Unfortunately, it is not a simple question. In fact, so many variables enter into determining watering frequency that there is no way it can be accurately answered. Some of the elements that influence watering frequency include the season, the average temperature and humidity both outdoors and inside the growing area, the day length, whether skies have been clear or cloudy, the type of medium used, the type of pot used, the size of the pot, how long since the plant was repotted, and the strength of air movement in the growing area. Consequently, each grower must learn to determine when their plant needs water. Some of the tried and true methods include lifting the pot and judging the weight, working a finger into the medium to feel for moisture, or simply judgement and experience.

Obviously, it is impossible to keep a plant evenly moist. The degree of wetness varies depending on when it was last watered, and as soon as the moisture varies, it is no longer evenly moist. Thus, new growers perceive a catch 22. Generally it means that the plant should always be kept damp, but not soggy. One explanation we found helpful suggests that evenly moist means that the plant should be watered today if the grower feels it will need to be watered tomorrow. Unfortunately, the grower is still left with the frustrating task of determining if the plant will need to be watered tomorrow.

In our growing area, adult Miltoniopsis in 4-5 in. (10-13 cm) pots which are filled with our fir bark mix are usually sufficiently moist when they are watered 2-3 times a week from spring into autumn. During very hot, dry periods in summer, however, plants may require daily watering. However, during our often damp, dreary winter weather, plants may need to be watered as infrequently as once every 2-3 weeks.

The only time Miltoniopsis should be slightly drier is immediately after potting, especially if they are repotted before new roots are growing. Regular watering should be resumed as soon as new roots begin to enter the fresh medium.

Thanks Nhman,

That does help a bit with the watering front. I appreciate the advice.

Do you know anything about what they like to be potted in, as i said, i am going to buy some CHC's soon and see if she might buck up a bit in that.

Thanks again!