Miltonia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Miltonia (lat. Miltonia) - indoor plant; perennial plant of the Orchid family. Miltonia is native to South and Central Brazil. The plant got its name in honor of the English collector of flower crops - Adligen Milton.

Characteristics of culture

Maltonia is a herbaceous plant; sympodial orchid of medium size, which consists of oval and strongly flattened pseudobulbs, tapering towards the apex, 7-8 cm long and 4-5 cm wide. The leaves are gray-green, thin leathery, pointed, belt-like or linear, 35-40 long see Peduncles are located in the leaf axils. The flowers are quite large, reach 10-15 cm in diameter, have a pleasant aroma, can be of the most varied colors from white to purple. The sepals are short, the lip is bilobed.

Common types

* Miltonia snow-white (Latin Miltonia sandida) - the species is represented by sympodial orchids, from each pseudobulb of which 1-2 peduncles are formed, 40-50 cm long. The flowers are fragrant, reach 5-10 cm in diameter. Sepals are yellow, wavy. Petals on all surfaces have large red-brown specks. The lip is rounded, white with a purple speck and three short tassels.

* Miltonia Regnellii (lat. Miltonia regnellii) - the species is represented by sympodial orchids with thin glossy leaves of a linear shape. The flowers are fragrant, the sepals and petals are white, the lip is light pink with a white border and purple stripes.

Conditions of detentio

Miltonia is a plant that is not demanding on sunlight; it grows and develops well, both in partial shade and in bright diffused light. The culture has a negative attitude towards direct sunlight. With proper lighting, the leaves of the plant take on a slightly pinkish tint.

Miltonia are thermophilic, the optimum temperature of the content is 16-20C. The culture does not tolerate sudden changes in day and night temperatures. The key to the well-being of miltonia is a difference of 3-4C. Drafts are fatal for miltonia. The culture needs a relatively high air humidity, at least 60-70%. At low humidity, it develops slowly.

Reproduction and transplantation

Miltonia is propagated vegetatively, or rather by dividing an adult healthy bush. Each section should have at least three pseudobulbs.

Miltonia is transplanted in the spring once every 2 years. It is advisable to transplant immediately after flowering and until the new sprouts reach a size of 5-6 cm. It is impossible to deeply deepen new sprouts into the substrate, this can provoke decay. A thick layer of drainage is poured onto the bottom of the container. The medium for miltonia should consist of a mixture of small pieces of charcoal, peat and coniferous bark.

Care

In summer and spring, during a period of active growth, miltonia need abundant watering. The soil should not completely dry out, especially during flowering, otherwise the flowers and buds will begin to dry out. The culture also negatively relates to waterlogging, as well as stagnation of water in the sump. It is recommended to water the plants with warm, settled water, simulating rain. After watering, the leaves and their sinuses are thoroughly wiped with a dry napkin, otherwise they will begin to rot. In autumn and winter, watering is reduced.

Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out during the period of active growth, at least 2 times a week. Foliar dressing is alternated with root. In the first case, the leaves are sprayed with a highly diluted fertilizer. The flowering of miltonia can be stimulated by a dormant period. This period begins immediately after the formation and maturation of new pseudobulbs. Watering at this moment is limited, and the temperature is reduced to 15-16C. With the appearance of peduncles, watering is resumed in the same mode.

Pest control

Most often, miltonia are attacked by whiteflies, scale insects and thrips. When plants are damaged by scale insects, brown plaques form on the leaves and stems, which leave a sticky discharge. Thrips propagation is facilitated by low air humidity or high room temperatures. Pests lay colonies on the underside of the leaves, and grayish dots appear on the upper part. As a result, the affected leaves become silvery.

When miltonia is affected by whitefly, whitish or yellowish spots appear on the underside of the leaves, as a result of which the leaves become discolored, turn brown and die off. For pest control, it is recommended to use soapy water, tobacco infusion and approved insecticides, for example, "Actellik", "Metaphos" or "Fitoverm".