The bar for flower-rich cultivation of Miltonia orchids is high. The pansy orchid knows exactly what it wants. If your wishes are not fulfilled, the flowers will fail or the dreaded accordion growth with unsightly wrinkled leaves will develop. Read here what really matters when it comes to caring for this demanding diva.
How do I properly care for a Miltonia orchid?
For optimal care of a Miltonia orchid, water the substrate slightly moist with lime-free water, fertilize every 4 weeks with special orchid fertilizer and place it in a bright, not full sun location with high humidity. Repotting should be done at the end of the flowering period.
How to water the Miltonia orchid?
Miltonia orchids have no tolerance range for errors in the supply of water. Drought is just as fatal here as waterlogging. Keep the substrate slightly moist with lime-free water at room temperature. Instead of watering the sensitive roots, it is better to submerge them briefly and let the water drain away completely.
Watering alone is not enough
So that the fragile water balance does not become unbalanced, please spray your Miltonia orchid every day in the early morning with a fine mist of soft water. Additionally, set up bowls or humidifiers filled with water so that the rainforest plant feels at home.
When and how should I fertilize the Miltonia orchid?
As an epiphytic orchid species, a Miltonia is adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. Furthermore, the plant does not respond well to s alt-containing fertilizer. How to fertilize the pansy orchid properly:
- For nutrient supply, only use special orchid liquid fertilizer (€7.00 on Amazon) in double dilution
- In spring and summer, add the liquid fertilizer to the irrigation or immersion water every 4 weeks
- Do not fertilize during the winter break
Do not apply orchid fertilizer to dried substrate or directly and undiluted to the root strands. The Miltonia orchid then either refuses to bloom or dies.
When does repotting make sense?
Only repot the Miltonia when the dense network of roots threatens to burst the culture pot. Since this care measure means pure stress for the mimosa-like orchid, the timing needs to be chosen carefully. An appointment at the end of the flowering period or during the winter break is ideal. Please never repot the pansy orchid in summer.
Tip
The loving care will come to nothing if you place the Miltonia orchid in an unsuitable location. The only option is a bright, not full-sun location on an east or west window. The mercury column should be at 17-22 degrees in summer and 15-18 degrees in winter. A year-round humidity of 60 to 80 percent is essential.
