How to grow Miltonia orchids: and how to get Miltonia guanabara to flower!

This week Plant Lovers, a first! The first time I've managed to re-bloom a Miltonia and so let me share what I learnt about growing this particularly beautiful hybrid: Miltonia guanabara. I've had it for two years; last year it didn't bloom but produced two new growths, this year two growths and two flower spikes...why? Well, you'll have to watch and find out!
And while I was making the film I could NOT for the life of me think what the flower's fragrance reminded me of! It was only afterwards I realised it smells JUST like coriander (cilantro)! Which, as a fragrance, I also realise is quite divisive! Some people have the "I love coriander" gene and others REALLY don't. I do, so I love Miltonia guanabara!
If you're curious to see the growing spaces I refer to you can find my video that explains each space here: • Orchid Grow Space Tour!

[@forwardtogiggles]

I have been following you for over an year and as I progress into orchid growing I realize that growing orchids without growlights and humidifiers is so important for me too. Glad I found you.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching and good luck!

[@lordpetrolhead477]

More new information for me. Off to Laurence Hobbs Orchids in Crawley, in Sussex, this weekend and will now seek out a Miltonia to add in to the collection. Great video Matthew.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching and good luck in the hunt!

[@kylie2212]

Thanks so much for your video and advice. I bought one off marketplace and have had her sitting out on my balcony in Melbourne for a year or so, she made it through last winter, and I haven’t really paid her much attention. But she has just sent up two spikes. So beautiful! Im addicted. The leaves are more yellow than yours so I perhaps have her in too much sun. I will see if she copes with another winter, but I will watch her more closely now! 🙏🏻 thank you

[@tracystrombotne2855]

Thanks for sharing your care tips! I have some Miltonia that need repotted as soon as they stop blooming also, so very timely!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@zula6436]

This plant !!!~👀~ Brilliant color of the blooms 😍. I looked it up >>> RHS registered>>> Miltonia Anne Warne × Mitonia regnellii. Thanks for sharing 🤗😀.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! Great colour GREAT scent!

[@TheOrchidSaGa]

A there is that beautiful miltonia you mentioned! Beautiful flowers and also a challenge to repot. I am curious to see what pot you will use. :D

[@helloplantlovers]

Yes! And so will I....definitely a Bonsai one I think.

[@kiwikimmyd]

"You know when you go to beautiful spice shops?" Lol. No Matthew. I don't think we have the fabulous life and shops you do! I think Matthew needs to take us on some orchid shopping trips. I get the feeling he does a lot of great trips that includes some very good shopping with a keen eye. :)

[@helloplantlovers]

Ha! Do we know each other!!! I MAY occasionally be seen in fabulous spice shops...and elsewhere....I did make a video about a trip to Collectors Corner here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mF7JlJ-lq9WojLc

[@richardlawton1023]

Think about splitting the rhizome. Putting both pieces in same pot? Victorian windowsill geranium pots are what you are looking for. Good luck.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@wandashaw3551]

I love them, they hate me and I love yours! She is beautiful and the color is amazing!

[@helloplantlovers]

Well...it WAS not a mutual love fest until I figured out I needed to change it's situation...now its my favourite child! (This week).

[@pixmahler5859]

Matthew, will you give us an update on the rebuild? I am sure you have your hands full with many things and it is presumptuously of me to inquire but your vids have drawn me in so I feel like a ‘friend’ but we haven’t met yet.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks! I will - at some point soon.

[@matthewcondon1985]

Love it. I’ve thought about using bonsai pots too. It would also be fun ti mount and orchid on a large rock and display it in a bonsai pot with gravel around it.

[@helloplantlovers]

Yes - you'd have to be VERY focused on watering though - which I'm not!

[@andreianifourcault2245]

Beautiful plant and what a colour!!!

[@helloplantlovers]

Isn't it! Thanks for watching!

[@andreianifourcault2245]

@@helloplantlovers we thank you! We learn a lot from your videos and experiences.

[@wildflowers477]

Bonsai pots are a brilliant idea

[@helloplantlovers]

A new obsession!

[@allysorchids3598]

Love the history of the names! I look forward to this every time. Also: gorgeous plant! well done growing such a beauty

[@allysorchids3598]

By the way, bonsai pots are a great idea. I now used them for bulbophyllums and they're really handy (ok, no flowers yet, but hopefully one day!)

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@pixmahler5859]

I watched the vid about your grow space and then went looking for “Hello House Lovers” and was fascinated. Have you done any updates on the house progress or did COVID put the bummer on doing films? I am really interested in your journey with the rebuild.🥰

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh thank you! I stopped making them for two reasons: we had to go to a planning appeal which was VERY stressful, and I'd kinda done everything I could! But! We FINALLY got approval last week so I will make the occasional new film when there's anything to report!

[@pixmahler5859]

@@helloplantlovers oh, i am delighted

[@besottedorchids3605]

I just unpacked seedling size miltonia. Is this a fairly fast grower?

[@helloplantlovers]

Yes it is - vigorous!

[@katieboo5533]

I wanted to ask you, is there any “orchid spectacular” like they have in qld, (an orchid expo) held in Melbourne at all that you know of? I heard of the Maribyrnong sarc fair but that’s it.

[@helloplantlovers]

There is - check here for all Victorian orchid society goings on! oscov.asn.au/

[@katieboo5533]

@@helloplantlovers thank you!!!

[@katieboo5533]

@@helloplantlovers I’m terribly sorry to bombard you with questions but I’m wondering if it’s worth buying a burana jade den which is grow indoors in Melbourne. Do you think it would be ok? I’ve really fallen for it. It’s a variegated one too!

[@helloplantlovers]

@@katieboo5533 Couldn't say I'm afraid as I've never grown it. If you're confident you can give it the basic requirements it needs then why not?

[@katieboo5533]

@@helloplantlovers thank you!!!

[@williamcarswell1071]

do u recommend a brand of mycorrhiza for orchids??

[@helloplantlovers]

Depends where you are - have a google and see what's recommended in your area. I use this one: biostim.com.au/shop/myco-gold/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0bWvBhBjEiwAtEsoW7ONoWECjgwSCcHGjS_lotIIOSGltTtHEDaWocjfUqPvbQ2SnxmJCBoC2ocQAvD_BwE

[@williamcarswell1071]

@@helloplantlovers okay have seen this on ebay,, amazon,,, I have Myco and Root extender arriving today,, also have ordered Gr Greenthumbs brand,,, as some kinds of Mycorrhiza will work better than others,, so I am testing,,,, to see which works the best,, I am in Hervey Bay, qld,, have 20 Miltoniaopsis plants,,, growing in a temp controlled lab with window light and grow lights,,, it's too hot outside to grow these,, so they stay in the lab till temps cool down,, then they go out to the orchid garden area..Bill

[@loribadgero1035]

Matthew, I cannot believe you have been growing less than three years. Amateurish? Hardly!!😮❤👍🪴🤗👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you!