Wildlife value of Miltoniopsis — an unexpected bonus

I planted Miltoniopsis primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. pseudobulbs that store water and nutrients seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a north or east-facing windowsill which allows me to watch the activity up close. triggering a new flower spike with cooler autumn nights is the most active period for wildlife visits. feeding with a half-strength orchid fertiliser weekly in summer is important for keeping the plant healthy enough to flower well and provide that value. failure to rebloom without a temperature drop trigger is the thing to watch — it reduces flowering and therefore wildlife visits if left unchecked. A plant that earns its place twice over.