Growing Miltonia Orchids

Miltonia orchids are an intriguing looking variety of flower due to their multi-colored flowers and long stems. They are found in strange places like growing right in the bark of a living tree, but can also be grown successfully in a home garden. While it is often thought that the Miltonia orchid is difficult to grow, some of the newer variations in species have been developed to survive in a wider range of growing conditions. As long as the Miltonia is given enough humidity, usually in the 70 to 80 percent range, it will grow to give you a bounty of beautiful flowers.

Growing Miltonia orchids: Where they grow

In the wild, you will often find Miltonia orchids growing straight out of a tree's trunk or branches. This is because tree bark has many nutrients that the Miltonia craves. When growing Miltonia orchids at home, look for garden soil that formulated with a bark-like mix. The trees also protect the Miltonia orchids from getting too much direct sunlight. The leaves of the tree help prevent the air around the Miltonia from becoming too dried out. The Miltonia's roots generally do not require much water, especially in the winter months. This allows the Miltonia orchid to peacefully co-exist with its tree habitat instead of competing for valuable water resources.

Growing Miltonia orchids: Proper humidity

Miltonia orchids require a great deal of humidity and cannot always be grown outdoors if the climate does not contain enough moisture. Of course, this problem can be circumvented with a little bit of extra maintenance. Installing garden misters may be sufficient to give your Miltonia orchids the moisture they need, even in the driest of regions. If you do not wish to go the expensive route of automated misters, you can always spray the orchid plants by hand several times per day to keep the moisture levels high.

Growing Miltonia orchids: Sunlight requirements

Ideally, a Miltonia orchid will thrive in a temperate climate that gets a slight breeze and moderate humidity. These flowers can be grown indoors as long as they are in an area that gives them enough light without exposing them to burning. A window can be a good location, but usually requires a curtain or some type of window covering to cut down on the amount of direct light the Miltonia orchid receives. There are certain varieties of Miltonia orchid that prefer warmer temperatures than others, so check the gardening instructions on your particular flower before planting.