Family: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Pansy Orchid

There are 20 species in this genus of vibrantly coloured orchids from tropical South America. The flowers are usually quite impressive, with a very large lip. In some species they are solitary, but mostly there are several flowers to a stem. Many beautiful hybrids are available.

Species

M. phalaenopsis (Synonym: Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis), from Columbia and Ecuador, produces inflorescences with three to fiveflowers in white with purple streaks on the lip, in autumn.

M. regnellii, from Brazil, has similar inflorescences in autumn. The sepals and petals are white, and the lip is light rose streaked in purple, with white margins.

M. spectabilis, also from Brazil, flowers in autumn. The solitary, erect, long-lasting blooms have reddish purple sepals and petals, and a lip of rose with purple markings.

Cultivation

Grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory in pots of epiphytic orchid compost, which should be available from specialist orchid growers. Alternatively, as they are epiphytes, grow in slatted wooden orchid baskets hung up in the greenhouse. They can also be grown completely epiphytically by mounting them on slabs of bark and surrounding the roots with sphagnum moss. In summer, these orchids need a humid atmosphere, shade from direct sun, and regular watering. In winter, give maximum light but much reduced watering.

Climate

Tropical only.