Miltassia Dark Star wilting

[melarish]

Hello, newbie here!

Back in April, I bought one of those Dark Star beauties. I'd previously had a Phal that had grown very happy with daily misting and weekly drenching. The guy at the orchid store said the Dark Star works pretty much the same, so that's what I've been doing. He also said it can stay in its pot, so I left it there...but repotted recently since it didn't seem to be growing very well. I used an orchid potting mix from a hardware store. I keep it in my office; not under a window (that also worked for Phal before)

However, it's not rebloomed since its initial bloom and it's looking less and less happy

I wonder if I'm watering it too much? Is Miltassia care much different from Phal? I couldn't find much information online; mostly people posting pictures of happy ones.

[Dorsetman]

These plants cannot be expected to repeat bloom the way Phalaenopsis do. They are very seasonal, and moreover they only flower once from each bulb. So to get more flowers you need first a new growth, then take it through to a complete made-up bulb, and then look for a spike, or from a strong plant more than one spike from that bulb.
But i am afraid that your plant does not look very happy, anyway. They want it a lot cooler than phalaenopsis, a lot airier, and higher humidity too. I grow both, but not in the same place - if its good for the Milt, it will be far too cool and wet for the phal.

[melarish]

Do you know the temperatures it likes? I'm in San Francisco which is humid and doesn't really go below freezing (maybe down to 5ºC) - would it be okay on my balcony?

[raybark]

Geoff is right, and I'll add that the plant is showing signs of severe dehydration, probably due to an insufficient root system.

[Dorsetman]

Do you know the temperatures it likes? I'm in San Francisco which is humid and doesn't really go below freezing (maybe down to 5ºC) - would it be okay on my balcony?

Too cold. A minimum of about 12 is Ok, better if just a shade higher. But i wonder if your humidity is good enough ? I have only been to San Fransisco for the othe odd day or two, now and then, and my memory is of the air being fresh, but not really humid . Rain forest humidity would be way above 60% in the growing season, perhaps above 70%.

[melarish]

Hmm, so it's impossible to grow this here other than in a commercial greenhouse? :/

The humidity outside for the next few weeks is between 53%-80%. It varies a lot, but is generally moist due to the coastal fog. Maybe I could have it outside during the day and inside at night until the cold period is over.

How moist does it like the potting mix?

[Chris in Hamilton]

Outside during the day, inside at night would be fine. Drench and let dry but not really dry.

[Dorsetman]

Phalaenopsis are superb houseplants, and yes they are orchids. But there are very few other orchids which can be grown indoors without doing something extra, to adjust the humidity in particular - such as using a wardian case, standing on a little tray covered in gravel which is always kept wet, or for a third suggestion, put several maidenhair ferns around the orchid, with all in a suitable tray or container to hide the pots - if you are watering and spraying the ferns often enough to keep them good, the orchid will be ok too. Or stick to phalaenopsis.
If you do want to grow other orchids , living where you do, - and most if not all the regulars here do grow other orchids, then yes, you do need a proper greenhouse or growing space. Some use a basement or a spare bedroom, converted. Others use wide windowsills, and enclose them to make a space which can be kept more humid and have maybe temperature and light controlled to givewhat you need.
Growing orchids is a great hobby, but very addictive !

[melarish]

Ahh, shame that the people selling the orchids won't tell you if it's hard to grow them :/ I'd have stuck to Phals if I'd known. But I'll try the tray method or balcony and see how it goes; don't wanna give up on it yet either!

[Chris in Hamilton]

You could use expanded clay pellets in the tray. Lighter than pebble's with some absorption and a rougher surface provides more humidity.