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Miltoniopsis
Called the "pansy orchid" because of its pansy face with contrasting colors, is native to Brazil and Columbia. Two different species are the parents of today's hybrids, one which grows in warmer river bed regions in Brazil and a cooler-growing variety from the mountainous regions of Colombia. The miltoniopsis can bloom in the northern hemisphere from February to July depending on its genetic background and can stay in flower for weeks because of its multiple bloom stalks. As a bonus, miltoniopsis have a mild, pleasant scent, more pronounced in certain varieties. Colors possible in this prolific bloomer include white, yellow, burgundy, lavender and pink. Miltoniopsis grows about one foot tall and is an upright grower, making it a choice house plant.
CARE
Miltoniopsis is an epiphyte, that is, it grows above ground or only partially in soil. They are used to a wet and dry season in the native habitat and need to dry out thoroughly between watering. Roots can rot if kept constantly soggy. Miltoniopsis has two distinct annual cycles. After flowering it grows rapidly, sending up new shoots from the base, which will produce next year’s flowers. While it is growing it needs to be fed weekly, about ¼ strength the recommended amount of a fertilizer higher in nitrogen. The ratio of the three numbers on the fertilizer label should be 3-1-2, something like 15-5-10, because the plant needs nitrogen to produce the bright green new shoots. When the weather cools, about October, the miltoniopsis stops making new shoots and begins flower bud production. Then it prefers a fertilizer higher in phosphorous, like 10-30-20, to assist it in bud set, but once every 2-3 weeks and still at ¼ strength recommended. Orchids are light feeders. In addition, miltoniopsis has a pseudobulb, the bulging part in the center of the plant, which stores food to help it through the dry season.
WATERING
In summer, while growing rapidly, miltoniopsis prefers increased water to help it grow rapidly, but does not like to be kept constantly wet even then. In fall and winter it prefers dryer conditions, but not bone dry.
LIGHT
Miltoniopsis requires good indoor light or can summer over on a screened porch or other shady location. Even in winter it needs good light, perhaps full sun for part of the day, in order to set and ripen its buds in the spring. Insufficient light will produce green leaves, but no flowers.
TEMPERATURE
Orchids love about the same temperatures as we do in our homes, making them ideal house plants. Our homes are cooler in winter and miltoniopsis needs a decline in temperature to about 60 degrees at night, in order to set its blooms for the coming spring. If the temperature stays too high in winter, the plant will not flower the following spring.
OVERVIEW
To be successful with miltoniopsis we have to simulate the conditions it faces in its annual cycle. The temperature rises in the spring with more water and nitrogen available and the plant grows vigorously. By fall there is less food and water available, so the plant slows down and begins flower production. It may look as though mothering is going on because the plant does not send up new shoots, but is still busy plumping up its pseudobulb and making buds. It still needs good light, but less water. Your reward for all this careful attention is a display or color that will command the attention of anyone who walks into the room.