Miltoniopsis Care Tips for Warm Environments + Introducing a Colour Changing Miltoniopsis!

[@InnocentRockGarden-ds1fh]

So beautiful color

[@jokennedy2943]

Very helpful as I grow indoors in the UK.

[@GoldenArrow297]

Gorgeous change of colour.

[@OrchidNerd]

I received a Nelly Isler in bad state from my mom, and because of their bad rep I didn't really expect it to recover. I just put it in a shady spot on some self watering LECA, exactly as you described, and to my great surprise it's doing just fine! New roots and new growths everywhere. I really like the slide show at the end showing the colour of the blooms on every day. This is a great video! Thumbs up!

[@maxineevans9179]

Great video.... Please keep them coming 😊 Thank you so much for covering Miltoniopsis.... exactly what I asked for 😊. Love your colour changing beauty too 🌺🌺🌺

[@leeheath7011]

I would love to find this in Canada! Beautiful!

[@helenhawkins4054]

Interesting & well explained.

[@o_o8203]

Watching from LA, new subscriber. You're very knowledgeable about how plants work. Keep up the good work 😊 I recently got into miltoniopsis, I was discouraged by some KZbinrs from growing them, but I've found they're rather easy. I'm at home for the summer, so they're benefitting from cool temps and high humidity from the ocean nearby, but we'll see how the do once I move back inland. I've got my humidifier ready!

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Hi! Thanks so much! I'm sure you will do just fine with the Miltoniopsis 😀 If they can get a good root system down before the hot weather they really aren't difficult at all, so by the time you move back to lower humidity hopefully they will be well enough established for it not to be an issue 😀 As long as they're kept moist and have decent roots they don't seem to mind it too much! Good luck with them, keep me updated 😀

[@o_o8203]

@@TheOrchidRoom will do 👍 thanks for the videos

[@kimberlydearing6305]

Very helpful and informative video. Thank you! Your orchid is quite beautiful.

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Thankyou! I'm still learning but if my experiences (and mistakes often!) can help anyone then that makes me happy! 😀

[@roxanneparker9126]

It's very Beautiful. I have 3 of them I've only had them for 3 months. I have mine in sphagnum moss and orchiata bark with packing peanuts at the bottom of the pot. So far so good.

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Sounds like a good set up! I tried all sorts of media before sphagnum but the moss heavy mixes have really made all the difference! 😀 Especially if you're growing them warmer. I'm sure your three will continue to do just great 😄

[@roxanneparker9126]

@@TheOrchidRoom Thank you very much. I live in Michigan.🌺🌺🌺

[@shelbymichalewicz641]

I just got my first miltoniopsis, it will be living in my bathroom-on a pebble tray. I have it with a couple other plants in a large glass terrarium with an open top. I will repot after blooming because the roots are spilling over the top and coming out of the bottom. 2 questions, do you think the constant temp of 72 degrees Fahrenheit will be cool enough for it? And when you repot- can I give it a much larger pot than the 4” container it’s in? Thank you for your video! Your orchid is beautiful!

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Hi! 72F seems to be around 22C, mine are kept between 20-30C for the majority of the year. If it gets toward 30C then cooler night temps will help it out for short periods. Most of the hybrids available are more intermediate growers, as they utilise the warmer tolerant species to make the hybrids available to us a bit more manageable in the home. The cooler growing species are another matter totally. So how tolerant yours will be will depend a little on the hybrid also, most of the common ones are quite easy going once they get established. Pot size with organic media is a bit more important than inorganic. You'll have to decide based on the root system, but miltoniopsis should only ever 'approach dryness' before watering, they shouldnt ever run totally dry. So you want a pot that will allow you to monitor how moist things are staying in there, you also don't want the media to be constantly soaking wet with organic media, as it'll reduce how much oxygen the roots can get and also miltoniopsis don't like staying soggy around the base, which is what a much larger pot may give you in the middle. Too small a pot kn the other hand will probably cause things to dry too quickly. It will also depend what media you use. As a general rule I would say allow around 3cm each side of the root ball when repotting, if that is reasonable for the size of the orchid 🙂 and for warmer environments I would put a little moss into the mix, depending how you find moss to work with of course. It just gives you a bit of a safety net during summer to stop the pot drying too fast. If you are happier just using bark that is also fine too, just be aware it will dry faster so during summer you may need to water more often, depending how quickly it is drying. Hope that helps!

[@Maremare680]

Where did you get your terraneum from?

[@TheOrchidRoom]

@@Maremare680 Sorry, I don't have a terrarium, I do have a little DIY one from IKEA if that's what you mean, just one of their glass display boxes.

[@dinahhughes7020]

Really enjoyed this video, might have to try one 🤔

[@TheOrchidRoom]

You definitely should! I think they've got a bad reputation, but once you get to know them and what works in your environment they are quite willing to take the warmer temperatures, as long as you keep them hydrated enough 😀 Funnily enough I've never caused root rot for Miltoniopsis roots even when I've put them in pure (fluffy) sphagnum, only killed the roots by letting them dry too much while I was experimenting with bark 😓 Lesson learned, for my environment at least....

[@darth_frey]

I struggled with two of my miltoniopsis while being in my apartment (lots of light, 24-26°C) and they were miserable, droopy and sad all together for ages... summer came and I moved all my phalaenopsis out to the balcony which is lots of direct sunlight (they are in shade part but still temperature over 31°C and on the hottest day up to 36-38°C), put those two bastards too and now they are insane -.- they are thriving, new growth all over, just finished flowering and looking fabulous... I don't get it at all but I'm happy even tho little rascals are contradicting whole species... I keep all of my orchids in same set up - clear pots, leca and top layer of the bark, it's airy so I guess they are happy and I do have to water more often but I enjoy it so it's fine for all

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Apparently you have some hot growing miltoniopsis? 😁😂 mine grew really fast this summer too! I think as long as they are kept hydrated in the heat they can do just fine 😄 Some Miltoniopsis species are actually more cool to intermediate growers while others that grow at the highest elevations are more cool... and the hybrids we have in captivity will have been bred for vigour and to be more intermediate probably? This is my theory anyway 😁 I don't actually own any pure species mtoniopsis to test this out on though.... Glad to hear yours are doing so Well! 😁

[@darth_frey]

​@@TheOrchidRoom to be honest now I worry how are they going to behave when autumn comes and I have to move them back inside .... I am kind of person who tends to over water everything (yes, including hydrangea :p) but leca has been amazing and forgiving for that, hybrids on the market and orchids all together became much tougher, I think too about how they are probably more and more created to be intermediate since climate change and modern life set ups are made that way... also little neglect helps, some swear words and stuff like that :D

[@chrisgray4669]

Well Done!Even if it was blind luck. Maybe you are a "miltoniopsis whisperer" :))

[@darth_frey]

@@chrisgray4669 haha I'd say it's more of a blind luck, but it would be awesome to have a miltoniopsis super rescue powers

[@chrisgray4669]

@@darth_frey Such modesty confirms my guess! As does your KZbin name! A companion of the Doctor perhaps.?!!?? I think you are one of the much lesser known X-Men and hath been working in the shadows for centuries restoring depleted Miltoniopsis for hapless growers by the use of time travel (the only known efficacious method). Worry not. Your secret is safe with me (and the rest of KZbin).

[@adiedny9406]

Is there any chance you can show a video of how you mix the medium for these orchids as well as repotting them? I’m really struggling with keeping these alive with all sort of cultural mix and do provide humidity. But they are so so difficult! Thank you !

[@chasehubbard5303]

I need your orchid :) Really enjoyed your video, thank you! They’re my favorite orchids, happened to be my first orchid purchase from a 3 yr old gift cert last fall. I’ve found a great environment in my house, east window in my basement, where humidity stays over 55%. Four spike rebloom on that first orchid purchase! I grew it outside in mountains of NC this summer, east facing, under overhang. Direct sun from 8-11. It’s a little too much sun. I’m potting mine in sphagnum exclusively now, in plastic baskets. Still have couple in bark. Thx again for well made video! Just last weekend found two yellow/blush Mps. Hawaiian Punch and Arthur Cobbledick. Pardon long winded post, I’m overly enthusiastic about Mps. Love their foliage, fragrance, and their lovely flowers.

[@TheOrchidRoom]

They're one of my favourites also! I think part of this is that they can be tricky to grow- so of course I refused to be beaten by them! Spent alot of time researching why they are notoriously fussy in the home and ways around it 😄 It sounds like yours are doing fantastically! And thats great that its blooming so prolifically for you! They have a bad reputation but when you get the care right they seem super vigorous! Those varieties are gorgeous! I'm a little jealous 😁 have a real weakness for yellow ones but they are so tricky to find! I'm bidding on a sunglow variety at the moment on eBay that just needs to come home with me! It's not yellow but the closest I've seen to the Andrea west variety which is my absolute dream Mps 💗

[@highup7]

I live in south Louisiana where the temps are very high and the humidity is too. I failed so many times to grow milts. but I refused to give up. The temps inside my house are never over 74 degrees and the humidity is 60% or higher. Then why couldn't I grow them? I finally met a grower of milts. at an orchid show in Baton Rouge. He told me what I was doing wrong. He said to never water them with tap water because tap water will eventually cause rot in the leaves. He told me to use either distilled water or the water in plastic jugs you can get at Wal Mart. I took his advice and haven't killed a plant yet. I buy my water at Wal Mart. I got a cheap humidifier on EBAY for six bucks. I grow them under lights in a spare bedroom. I now have about fifty milts. and they are beginning to put out spikes. I can't believe the number of plants I killed because of water.

[@highup7]

BTW, I forgot to mention that I have a ceiling fan going all the time. I never get mold or anything like mold on my walls. The ceiling fan prevents this.

[@momepenni]

I really loved this video. I have two. One I have about 6 months, it has been In bloom all that time and still, but starting to now loss them. I have a new one, white it had lots of buds, they are not opening, some have bud blaze. Between transport & new environment I am not surprised, wish I will get to see a flower open. I want to see what they look like.

[@TheOrchidRoom]

I hope the new arrival settles and gets established for you, then I'm sure you will see flowers . I think I remember you saying you had cooler temperatures in winter? Sorry if that's wrong, if you do though it'll probably settle in in winter and bloom for you next year 🙂

[@momepenni]

The Orchid Room Thank You, thinking of getting a heat mat. For winter, it get down to 40’s & 50’s at night. Dats are 70’s.

[@sandiesorchids9387]

She's beautiful I've never been able to get a color changing Miltoniopopsis i will be keeping my eyes open for one.

[@myhandmadejournals]

Beautiful colour change! Do you think that Nelly Isler follows the same growing criteria?

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Yeah I've always followed more Miltoniopsis care for the Nelly Isler, since it's a hybrid between the Stefan isler oncidium hybrid and a Miltoniopsis hybrid. Having said that I also keep all my oncidiums in the same set up too 😀 they're in the same DIY self watering pots as my miltoniopsis under the same conditions 😄 The Nelly Isler a bit more vigorous than Miltoniopsis though 😀

[@myhandmadejournals]

The Orchid Room thank you, I keep my Nelly in moss and bark and she's growing 5 new growths now. Same thing with my twinkles. I'm happy I got it right 😊

[@TheOrchidRoom]

@@myhandmadejournals Sounds like she's very happy with how you're growing! 5 new growths sounds like you will be having alot of flowers soon! I love Nelly Islers, they're even more fragrant than miltoniopsis! 😍😀

[@myhandmadejournals]

The Orchid Room I will share updates 😘

[@sleepgas]

Hi Annabelle have you since changed this to the inorganic medium? I have a lot of success in Las Vegas in semi-hydro with the hydroton seramis pumice /synthec ( I call it Annabelle's genius Orchid potting mix) with my milts and most other orchids.

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Hi Jane! 💗🥰 Yes, all changed around a year ago, with several updates 🙂 Like you say, they do great in synthic/ seramis mixes!

[@sleepgas]

@@TheOrchidRoom My bad !! I just found the videos thank you....

[@Daisy-md8so]

Hi can we grow Miltoniopsis in a terrarium in hot climates?

[@emmaosborne3815]

Hi Annabelle, I am wondering if you can help, I have just bought a miltonopsis herralexander off of ebay its in good condition (without Looking in pot) and has 2 new growths that are doing well. I am not sure whether to repot now or wait, I would like to try a mix of leca and synthic but worried it will do damage as it is so new and travelling etc would have made it stressed. Any advice you can give me on this please

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Hi Emma! 👋 So I always repot straight away after bad experiences with new oncidiums and snails, but if you are happy there are no snails in the pot and the media it's in looks OK, it would be more ideal to wait until the new growths are just starting new roots. The old root system can easily fail with Oncidiums and Miltoniopsis, as they are so fine and delicate. I've had best success always leaving the old roots on for them with the first repot though, as they seem to function for a while even if you think they look dead! So I leave them, then at the next repot if they have died I take them off. I found synthic is amazing to start but can be very wet, so I started using less of it now. I maybe use 30% synthic to 70% LECA now and thread the synthic through the mix evenly so it wicks the moisture throughout the pot. But this may be different for your climate, if you have a very dry hot climate then more may be better! I hope the little guy is OK and does well for you, hope this helps a bit! 🙂

[@emmaosborne3815]

@@TheOrchidRoom I am from the UK Devon in fact :) my room is around 18-20c I have a fan on circulating air and a humidifier the room reads around 60% humidity. I would love to move all my orchids to semi hydro but I had a bad experience before so i am super nervous about doing it now

[@kenthelliker2112]

My plants are growing well but I always have the same issue with the flower spikes. This winter I had four spikes coming on and each one got " snagged" within it's particular leaf fold . It seems the developing flowers get stuck but the stem continues on and creates a bend in the stem to the point where it breaks. This all happens at a time where the spikes are just visible thus saving them by prying them out of the leaves can be missed. As I've stated, the plants are crisp and healthy so it's not obvious to me where I might be going wrong.... any thoughts ?

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Are the leaves crinkled at all? I've only ever see this happen with miltoniopsis that have dehydrated during leaf development, and as a consequence developed that concertina leaf shape. Then the spikes can get stuck in the crinkled leaves. If there is no leaf crinkling, the plants are otherwise healthy and you can't identify the issue, you could always remove part of the outer leaf when the spike starts to form. I sometimes do this when new growths form, to make sure none of the new roots get stuck in the previous growths leaf join....

[@kenthelliker2112]

Wish I could say the leaves were showing signs of deformation but they are perfect. Trouble is, the deformation occurs very early on in the spike development thus I'm not even aware of spikes even forming...then its too late to " free" them if you will. Oh well, I shall continue on till I get it solved... these are the trials of orchid growing lol. Thank you for your time, love your channel

[@TheOrchidRoom]

@@kenthelliker2112 That's incredibly irritating, maybe it will magically fix itself one day, but then you may never know the cause 😥 Hope it resolves soon!🙂

[@bonniesuekimball7550]

Thanks to Orchie Dee I have joined you and Stephen. Nice video, I have killed 4 or 5 miltoniopsis so far 😣. I really love them but here in northern Italy it gets very hot in the summer (up to 40 C) sometimes. I was babying my last 2 for quite some time in self watering and they both had nwe growths and I was so happy. Then they contracted the orange rot and died within days.....😣

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Oh no, so sorry you've had such bad luck with them, 😢 that sounds terrible! So here the maximum it's been really is 36C for short periods. More often in summer 30C but our summers are quite short! The self watering systems seem to work great and are life savers in summer but I do live in permanent fear of orange rot 😅 They have that little fan on them constantly! I'm going to try a couple of different set ups with them to see if I can get them out of moss...I'm a little obsessed with inorganic media if possible, but LECA has also failed spectacularly for them in the past in my environment so I'm scared to try that again 😂 going to see if I can find a better alternative 🤞Thanks for sharing your experience with them! I find it super interesting to hear other growers experiences! 😀

[@bonniesuekimball7550]

@@TheOrchidRoom Thank you for sharing. Mine was in a mixture of leca and moss and from what I gather from others, we shouldn't plant them too deepmsomthe bulbs don't stay wet...just the roots... that's more difficult than it sounds. I always had my ceiling fans going going or circulation... like Roger says... sometimes we do everything right but they still go down... Yours looks beautiful and healthy tho, good job!

[@biaknh6874]

What is that exact name of this orchid?

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Hi, it is Miltoniopsis Junit 6

[@biaknh6874]

@@TheOrchidRoom thank you. with this i wanted just like your

[@biaknh6874]

Is the same milt.banana fandang? Thank you for your reply

[@TheOrchidRoom]

Hi, no it's a different hybrid but I don't think it's been registered yet and isn't widely available. Roger has the 'Junit', which has the same flower but it doesn't change colour to the same degree. So the 6 part refers to a special trait that I guess a subclonal group of the Junit has. Where are you located? The Junit is available in the UK at the moment.

[@TheOrchidRoom]

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F193066679193 This is the Junit. It will not change colour to the same degree but will remain mostly yellow. I've only ever seen it from this seller.

[@radmilagrubac1497]

Prevedu na srpski imam istu takvu ali mi se nesto osudila kako da je ozivim

[@chrisgray4669]

I have killed many Miltoniopsis. If they were any less beautiful I would just hear the message from the Goddess and stop trying to grow them. Growing one is like buying a really fresh, crisp, yummy lettuce from the shop and then trying to keep it really fresh, crisp and yummy somewhere in your house or garden - for the rest of your life.

[@TheOrchidRoom]

This is the constant struggle but they are just too pretty to resist aren't they 😁😂 I was a bad orchid parent and dripped water onto one of mine before I went on holiday a few weeks ago.... thought I'd dried it before I left, and came back 4 days later to find the beginning stages of rot on the leaf of the new growth. Quickly eliminated but there you go. If it was another orchid they would have shrugged it off but the miltoniopsis threw a fit and got angry with me 😅

[@chrisgray4669]

@@TheOrchidRoom I live in Sydney Australia and you just never see them in collections. Occasionally someone will flower one successfully but is always hit and miss and the plants are never big. I remember seeing a well grown Miltoniopsis in a flower show in London that was just a circle of flowers and bulbs the size of duck eggs. I just couldn't believe it. Next to an Odont. Crispum also in full bloom which I still rate as the most beautiful orchid I have ever seen - bar none