What media/pots for my first non-phals?

[LadySoren]

So, a couple weeks ago, I had been asking around OB what orchid(s) I should get as my first non-Phals. Well, apperently I wasn't going to have a choice because days later, I attended my first ever society meeting which also happened to be their annual auction.
I bid for and won a Phal. equestri var. rosea 'Harford' HCC/AOS x bellina 'Ponkan' AM/AOS (I'm just typing what the tag says lol)

I also won an orchid thru a raffle and another was given to me as a gift. hah! I ony walked out spending $30. Go me!


Those are:
(as stated on the tags, verbatim)

1.
Mtssa Leopard Glo
[Mtssa Olmec X Brs caudata]

2.
Pot Dr Harry Gallis Pot
Beaufort Gold X Little Toshie

Both of these seem to be in-between orchids and I am having a tough time finding culture info on the interwebs. I did find out that Pot = Potinara

For both of these orchids, I would like to know, comparatively to Phals::

1. Light
2. When to water?
(wait til completely dry, almost, keep moist?)
3. Anything special to make bloom?
(Change of light, temp, water, fert?)
4. When to repot?
(I know almost nothing about non-Phals but I assume to wait until done blooming? Does there have to be extra growth going on too?)
5. What to repot in?
(Currently in moss. I do know I should get a wider pot since these are sympodial)
6. Which end is older?
(Smaller pseudobulbs = newer? or is that not always the case? I can tell which on the Mtssa)

My environment::
Currently growing under CFL bulbs in those brooder clamp lights only (no sun), in my kitchen and guest bathroom.
No idea what my humidity is in the AC/Heated house.
Temps 67 night, 74 ish day, warmer in bathroom.

-Regarding the Potinara, it's leaves are like plastic, really rigid. Is that normal?

-Also, both the Mtssa and Pot have black/brown speckles on leaves. Not sure what from.

----

**Please signify which orchid you're referring to when giving advice as to its needs.**
Pretend I know absolutely nothing.


Thanks for ANY help you can give me.
I know I posted this in the repot section. That's my main concern since I think I'll need to soon, but I also need to know how to take care of them.
Sorry so wordy..............

[WhiteRabbit]

Nice!

Miltassia (Miltonia x Brassia). Finer mix than for Phals. Somewhat brighter light. Media should be kept from drying out completely, but not kept soggy.

Oncidium alliance are prone to foliage spots.

Potinara is a Catt alliance intergeneric hybrid. Chunky, well draining potting mix. Allow to dry in-between watering. More light than Phals. Rigid, thick foliage is typical for many Catt alliance.

If you can post pix of the foliage spots, it can probably be determined if it's something to be concerned about.

Both should be fine indoors with your usual temps and humidity, or outside in intermediate to warm temps.

[LadySoren]

Fine/chunky meaning both the Miltassia and Potinara can be potted in bark (with perlite and such, but main ingredient being bark)? Just want to make sure.
Think they'll be super sensitive to switching from moss to bark?

Mtssa- when using a skewer to check before watering, should it be wetter than a phal before watering?
(correct me if I've been doing it wrong. I've been watering Phals when the skewer is cold, but not really wet, but maybe I wait a day just in case when it's like that).

The Mtssa is part of Oncidium?

Mtssa as bright as Potinara? Or less/more

I'll post pix of the spots soon. I thought it odd they both have it.


thank you so much! I hate that I have so many questions, but I have to ask.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Wow you made a killing, good for you.

[MrHappyRotter]

Was this the Triangle OS auction last weekend? I had to work and couldn't make it, very sad. I made up for it this weekend at Orchid Trail, though.

Nice plants. I like miltassias. They're usually pretty easy to grow. Bright light, warm temps, open potting mix, and lots of water from spring to fall. Many will bloom twice a year once they get some size on them. If it's potted in moss, probably water once a week, maybe twice a week in the heat of summer.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by LadySoren

Pot Dr Harry Gallis Pot
Beaufort Gold X Little Toshie
1. Light Grown indoors? S, W, or SW window should be good. (A lot of light and warmth)
2. When to water?
(wait til completely dry, almost, keep moist?) With my catts, I go with almost or completely in summer (usually almost), completely in winter.
3. Anything special to make bloom? Nope. Just depends on how fast new growths mature. While in sheath, when it comes to watering err on the side of "almost dry". I find catts will sometimes decide not to bloom if kept too dry.
4. When to repot? When the next pbs are ready to "step out" of the pot. Best done when new root growth is evident.
5. What to repot in?
Depends on what works for you. I have grown catts in pure sphag but wouldn't recommend it. They tend to do better in a coarser/chunkier mix. (Large grade bark or CHC, with large grade horticultural charcoal (NOT the stuff one uses for the grill) and/or large grade perlite, and/or hydroton.
6. Which end is older? Oldest are usually the smallest.

-Regarding the Potinara, it's leaves are like plastic, really rigid. Is that normal? Very

-Also, both the Mtssa and Pot have black/brown speckles on leaves. Not sure what from.
Might be the result of bacterial or fungal spot. Likely nothing to worry about. I find growing plants with immaculate leaves a challenge, personally. Largely due to the fact that I only use chemicals as a last resort when things are serious. (As I grow mine in my home, I have no desire to spray chemicals around.)...

Originally Posted by LadySoren

Think they'll be super sensitive to switching from moss to bark?
Some root loss will be likely. That is a big switch. They may sulk for a bit but should recover just fine.

The Mtssa is part of Oncidium?
Yes

Mtssa as bright as Potinara? Or less/more
Likely less but with both, let the leaves be your guide. You can play it safe and start them off in a bit lower light and over the course of weeks move them up to brighter and brighter lighting. Generally speaking:

Dark green = GIVE ME MORE LIGHT PLEEEEASE! *whimper*

Medium/deep grass green = I can get by on this but more would be better

Light green = Oooh yeah, baby!

Yellowish green or green with purple spots/purple blush = upper limit of what I can handle

That make sense?

[LadySoren]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

Was this the Triangle OS auction last weekend? I had to work and couldn't make it, very sad. I made up for it this weekend at Orchid Trail, though.

I'm not sure if it's the same one. I see you are in/from raleigh and I am near Asheville.
It was an auction at the Arboretum here. It was my first society event ever. I haven't been to a normal meeting yet. I think they went on a "field trip" this week, but I couldn't go.

What do you mean by "open potting mix" like loose/big bark?


@Paul
Thank you for the thorough information!

Light- I grow under CFL bulbs (just in a cheap clamp light for now)

I don't know how the sheath thing works haha. I am a visual learner and needs pix. I have read about it and think I understand. I think mine has two of those on the other growths. I guess I should take more pix closer up of that and the spots on the leaves.

I think a bark mix will work for me as I know I would have the tendency to overwater moss.

Thank you

---------- Post added at 08:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 PM ----------

oh, and just normal plastic pots with holes? lol
Circle or square or is that personal preference?
My Mtssa is unable to stand in its pot bc it is side heavy currently.

[Ferns Daddy]

Very nice looking plants

[LadySoren]

I just got reckless and ordered $97 worth of stuff on RePotMe >.<

ordered the chunky catt mix and the onc mix
(and a bunch of clear pots and that new carousel pot haha).
Hope its ok for these... I know there's probably better out there, but until I know what, I just wanted to get stuff that was advertised as made for those types of orchids. It seems good to me tho....

[No-Pro-mwa]

That is what I do although I have never ordered from re-pot me I have gotten all my stuff from Kellys Korner. I like you thought I would let the people that are suppose to know make my mix at least till I know better if I ever do.