The Miltonia genus comprises approximately 20 species, divided into two distinct orchid families: Miltonia, native to Brazil, and Miltoniopsis, native to Colombia and Peru. The genus also includes hundreds of hybrids, both natural and artificial. Miltoniopsis have large, scented, brightly colored flowers resembling enormous pansies; Miltonia, on the other hand, generally have star-shaped, greenish flowers with brown or purple spots. Narrow, long, and thin, light green leaves emerge from the pseudobulbs.

In spring and autumn, a long stem emerges from the new pseudobulbs, bearing numerous, striking, and splendid flowers that will make your home or garden an exclusive and welcoming place.

Classification, origins and description of Miltonia

The genus Miltonia (belonging to the Orchidaceae family) comprises approximately 25 species (including some hybrids), all native to Latin America. Their native habitat is the cool Andean highlands on the border between Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia, at altitudes ranging from 300 to 2,500 meters, where they grow clinging to the treetops.

They have lanceolate leaves that branch out directly from the pear-shaped pseudobulbs at the base.

In nature, flowering is almost always in spring: the stem emerges from the leaf axil and can bear from 3 to 10 very large, colorful and extremely fragrant flowers.

Exposure:

Both species prefer exposures that aren't too bright. Ideally, they should be placed near a west-facing window, or even an east-facing one. Light should always be filtered, especially from mid-spring to late September: it's recommended to hang a thick, light-colored curtain in front of the window.

An easy way to monitor the accuracy of our placement is to observe the color of the leaves. Healthy plants have a nice, bright, light green; if it becomes too dark, it means we've chosen a location that's too dark; conversely, too much sun can cause localized sunburn.

Miltonias require bright locations, but away from direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn. If the leaves tend to turn very dark green, try placing them in a brighter spot. If they tend to yellow, move the plant to a slightly shadier spot.

In summer, they can be placed in the garden or on the terrace, in a shaded outdoor location, preferably at the base of trees or shrubs, so they enjoy shade while also being protected from winds and possible storms. The ideal growing temperature for miltonias is around 18-20°C, while miltoniopsis can easily tolerate slightly lower temperatures.

Climate

Both have difficulty adapting to life in a house or apartment: to thrive, they require special environments where it is possible to regulate the temperature and humidity, with good variations between day and night, especially in summer.

In winter, miltonia requires temperatures between 10 and 12°C (indoors, slightly heated rooms are fine); in summer, the thermometer should read around 25°C during the day, dropping to 16-18°C at night (for example, in a bedroom with air conditioning).

In winter, Miltoniopsis requires temperatures between 8° and 12°C: in summer, a room with around 20°C during the day and 15°C at night is ideal.

Humidity and ventilation

A crucial factor for the health of our orchids is the humidity level. It's important that it never drops below 65%. Unfortunately, this isn't an easy goal to achieve indoors, but electric nebulizers and frequent manual misting can be a significant help. Clay-filled saucers are also helpful.

Expanded foam and water to place near our pot. Remember that the ambient humidity must increase proportionally to the temperature.

Good ventilation is also important to prevent the onset of fungal diseases: keep pots outdoors as much as possible, temperature permitting. Otherwise, change the air frequently, but absolutely avoid cold drafts, which cause sudden wilting and the aborting of stems and buds.

Watering and irrigation

Miltonias require plenty of water, preferably frequently, but avoid waterlogging, which could damage the very fine and delicate roots of our orchid. Remember to water these orchids at least twice a week, year-round, never letting the compost dry out, and increasing the frequency of watering when necessary. If watering is too little, the leaves may curl up. In this case, it's necessary to water the plant as soon as possible, which will produce new leaves, allowing the old ones to dry out.

Provide specific orchid fertilizer at least once a month.

The roots should always be planted in a moist, but never soaked, substrate. The frequency of watering depends on the temperature and the type of soil. Generally, water once a week, preferably in the morning. You can pour the water from above or leave the pot to soak for about half an hour. In any case, you should then let the water drain thoroughly. Always avoid wetting the leaf axils, where rot is more likely to develop.

Specimens kept on rafts (clinging to pieces of bark) require more frequent watering with sprinklers. For all purposes, we always use demineralized, reverse osmosis, or, if necessary, rainwater.

Cultivation of Miltonia

Miltonia and Miltoniopsis orchids have slightly different needs. The former can be classified as temperate greenhouse plants (and are therefore more delicate and demanding); the latter, on the other hand, thrive in a cold greenhouse and are much more tolerant. We'll look in detail at the various aspects to consider.

Soil and Fertilization

As for the soil, use a specific orchid compost made from loose material such as bark or osmunda fiber. These orchids need to be repotted at least annually, after flowering, without necessarily increasing the pot size.

During the growing season, they require good support: it's essential to use a specific orchid fertilizer with balanced macronutrients: NPK 20-20-20. We can administer it once a month at the full dose or every 15 days at half the dose. Make sure the roots are well watered before proceeding: this will avoid dangerous burns. During the winter, it's best to suspend administration for about two months.

Multiplication

In autumn or early spring, you can propagate your plant by dividing the pseudobulb clumps, taking care to retain a few leaves and vigorous roots for each portion. The new plants should be planted immediately in individual containers to ensure optimal growth.

Repotting

These plants are generally found on the market during the period in which they flower naturally.

Repotting should preferably be done in early spring, every year.

This will allow the roots to have room to expand and good air circulation, which is essential to prevent rot.

The ideal substrate is similar to that for phalaenopsis: small to medium-sized bark (pine bark) mixed with other materials such as plant fibers (coconut, palm). You can also add a little peat and sphagnum moss.