Hi All, I have encountered a bad situation in Florida. I do about
20-25 shows per year here in Florida. I have some really nice
Brazilian Miltonias which grow like weeds and bloom profusely. When I
tell a potential customer they are Brazilian Miltonias they say "oh
they like cold weather-- I kill them" & won't buy them. The reason for
this is: unscrupulous vendors have sold Miltoniopsis as Miltonias to
so many people that the word Miltonia is poison in Florida. I have
heard the aforementioned vendors tell people "these are made with
warmth tolerant species". THERE ARE NO WARMTH TOLORANT MILTONIOPSIS.
They grow high in the mountains of Columbia, whereas most Miltonias
grow at sea level in Brazil. I know -- some will say they can grow
Miltoniopsis in Florida -- so can I, but it is hard work-- if they are
outside from June to October -- they will die!! Wet pads or air
conditioning will keep them alive but the average hobbyist will kill
them. Moral of the story is if you see them for sale in Florida tell
the crook (oops I mean vendor)G to tell the people the truth or at
least stop calling them Miltonias! Good Growing, Bill