The orchid miltoniopsis is an incredibly beautiful, subtle-bright color with large inflorescences and a magnificent aroma. It has a stunning decorative effect and is a win-win option for both the house and the apartment, the office and any institution where suitable conditions will be created for it.
Did you know? Miltoniopsis in a pot can bloom for about 1.5 months and longer!
Miltoniopsis: Hybrid Appearance
There are two kinds of orchids - miltoniopsis (his homeland is Colombia) and miltonia (originally from Brazil), the differences between which are in the form of flowers and sensitivity to cold. Miltoniopsis is more cold-resistant, relatively less sensitive to air moisture and has flat, single-leaved pseudobulbs, tightly fitted to each other.
Its flowers are up to 11-12 cm in diameter and different in color - pink-white with yellow, white-pink-yellow, white with yellow, lilac, etc. The leaves are long - up to 45 cm long, strong, narrow, lanceolate, rich green color. Miltonia is more fond of heat and high humidity and has a double pseudobulb, divided by an oblong rhizome. Miltonia can also be distinguished from miltoniopsis by the type of inflorescence: miltoniopsis is very similar in shape to the flower "pansies", and miltonia looks more like a butterfly.
Optimal conditions for growing miltoniopsis
Despite the conventional wisdom about the difficulties and failures in breeding miltoniopsis, care for him at home, however, is quite simple. If you have recently acquired miltoniopsis, then caring for it after the purchase will consist in choosing the right place, maintaining the humidity and temperature of the room, watering and adding supplements. And then, as it grows, you will need to transplant it and know the basics of flower reproduction.
Lighting
A lot of light to the plant is not required. Illumination should be sufficient, but no more - the penumbra is best. On the windowsill in the spring and summer to keep the flower is not necessary, it is possible in the winter in cloudy weather. The most suitable place for miltoniopsis - shelves and shelves in the depths of the room.
Important! Excessive light is harmful miltoniopsis- his flowers become smaller and the leaves turn yellow.
This quality of miltoniopsis can be used when breeding a plant with fully artificial light. Under the condition of constant sufficient air humidity, it will grow well, perhaps giving fewer flowers, but it will grow and bloom.
Temperature and humidity
Miltoniopsis thermophilic - temperature + 25 ... +30 ° С is optimal for it. At the same time, he tolerates well lowering the temperature to +19 ... +20 ° С. It must be remembered: the hotter the room, the higher the humidity of the air should be, within 70 - 75% - only this way the normal growth and development of the flower is ensured. In addition, miltoniopsis needs a constant change of air - ventilation, that is, from time to time it is necessary to ventilate the room. Airing is also the prevention of fungal and other diseases resulting from high temperatures in combination with high humidity.
What soil is best to grow miltoniopsis
When planting an orchid in the soil, it is important to know one of the most important rules: Miltoniopsis is an epiphytic orchid species. This means that the plant grows practically without land - in nature on vines, tree branches, rocks. Therefore, the roots of miltoniopsis do not need to bury deep and dense, but instead buy a spacious container or a pot with a lot of holes on the sides or make holes in it yourself. Place loose soil mixture in it and plant a flower so that the pseudobulbs are not completely sprinkled, but on the contrary, their top is on the surface. This is quite enough for the orchid to gain a foothold and start growing.
Did you know? As a pot for miltoniopsis, you can use a basket - wicker or plastic. It will be a good option for the roots to breathe and receive "air baths".
The main requirement for the ground - it should be light, loose, well-drained and breathable, with a high content of charcoal, bark, peat. The most suitable soil for miltoniopsis is an orchid soil mix, you can buy it at any specialized florist shop.
Features care for miltoniopsis
Many experienced growers to the question of what miltoniopsis is, will answer that this is a delicious, fragrant home flower, and quite unpretentious. And they will be right. Indeed, if you follow the simple rules of care for Miltoniopsis, there are no difficulties in its content.
Watering rules
The main rule - do not fill the flower. Watering should be very mild, and the soil should not dry out completely. Best of all - so that the soil was constantly slightly damp. Since the humidity in the room will be high, and the soil is wet, this orchid is quite enough.
Important! Miltoniopsis does not like and does not need irrigation in large volumes. Also, the orchid can not "bathe" and spray - the flower gets sick and dies.
How to fertilize miltoniopsis
The flower does not need abundant dressing. Feed it should be very moderately before flowering, during the period of transplantation. To do this, use fertilizers for orchids, the dosage does not exceed - with an overdose of drugs, pseudobulbs begin to dry out and die. Mineral fertilizers such as Kemira Lux, Greenwold, Bona Forte, Pocon are suitable for miltoniopsis.
How and when to replant the plant
Miltoniopsis transplantation is carried out as soon as the plant has grown and its young shoots have reached 7-12 cm in height. At this stage, young sprouts have already formed their own roots, and they are ready for rooting in a new place. When transplanting, carefully remove the flower from the pot, for some time, to remove it from the soil, its roots are placed in warm (+ 35-38 ° C) water, and then the young processes are carefully separated. Separation points can be sprinkled with wood or activated charcoal, so that they dry out a bit, and then plant the plants in pre-prepared pots with soil mixture. In this case, the transplanted miltoniopsis does not water for 2-3 days - this is important, then watering is introduced as usual.
Important! Replanting miltoniopsis, remove all dry leaves and dried, damaged, rotten roots, it is also desirable to completely remove (soak) the soil on the roots of the old pot.
Miltoniopsis reproduction
Miltoniopsis prefers vegetative reproduction. It is best to replant in the spring - during the growing season. Do it about once every 2-3 years. A signal that the planting of the plant is required is the appearance on the surface of the pot around the flower of a multitude of thin whitish roots. Young shoots with at least three well-formed pseudobulbs are suitable for reproduction (transplantation).
Major flower diseases and pests
Miltoniopsis diseases are mainly due to an excess or, conversely, lack of water. With excessive watering - rotting of the roots, with insufficient - drying of the edges of the leaves and the characteristic accordion folding sheet. Prevention of these diseases - the right enough-moderate watering. In the treatment of rot, fungicides are used for floriculture (Vitaros, Ordan, Topaz, Fundazol, etc.) and change the soil of the plant. The main pest of the miltoniopsis is the insect worm, prevents its occurrence and treats it with insecticidal drugs ("Aktellik", "Fitoverm", etc.)
As you can see, all recommendations for growing orchids fairly simple and doable. We wish you a successful breeding of miltoniopsis followed by its long and amicable flowering!
