Miltonia phymatochila is a Brazilian epiphytic orchid, also known as Phymatochilum brasiliense, that grows on tree branches in Atlantic Forest mountains. Grow it in a bright, well-ventilated spot with a well-drained, airy mix and reduce watering during its rest period after flowering.
Family
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Grows as
Orchid
Light
Full sun
Water
Water generously during active growth and reduce watering after flowering while the plant rests.
Soil
Vegetable fiber compost mixed with medium charcoal lumps for good drainage.
Temperature
18–30 °C; protect below 10 °C
How easy
Moderate
Native range
E. Brazil
Climate
seasonally dry tropical
About
Miltonia phymatochila, synonym Phymatochilum brasiliense, is an orchid species native to northeast and southeast Brazil. It is an inhabitant of the Serra do Mar mountains. It vegetatively resembles Oncidium species rather than other Miltonia species and was at one time placed as the only species in the genus Phymatochilum.
How to grow it
Miltonia phymatochila is not hard to grow. Their roots are somewhat sensitive excessive humidity therefore it is important they are potted in a well-drained substrate and placed in a warm and well ventilated location at the greenhouse. As they show a rest period after blooming, it is beneficial to reduce watering while they are not in active growth period, and resume abundant watering again during active growth. Moderate weekly fertilizing with a balanced formula is beneficial during active growth. They may be potted in a compost of vegetable fiber and some medium-sized lumps of charcoal. As they usually inhabit sunny areas they enjoy a good amount of light, although never full sunlight, therefore the best place for them is the sunnier in the greenhouse, the same where the Cattleya are.
Where it grows
Miltonia phymatochila is a comparatively large sympodial epiphyte species which inhabits high areas of the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Pernambuco States of Brazil, particularly in the warmer areas around Serra do Mar chain of mountains, where it is somewhat rare. It grows under the shadow of trees, however, mostly near the jungles well ventilated clearances where it can get brighter light, between 600 and 1,300 meters of altitude in dryer areas. It ordinarily grows over the trees where the shade is not intense, on thick branches.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Miltonia phymatochila by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.