Recovering Miltassia in S/H?

[wtamuboi]

Okay, so I recently procured a Mtssa. Charles M. Fitch 'Izumi' on eBay. It's blooming size, but the problem is that I got it fairly cheap because it was inappropriately cared for and the roots definitely need some help. When I got it, I placed it in a bark mixture and placed it on the shelf with my cattleyas. It had a few good roots, but it looks like the roots went progressively higher on each new pseudobulb... I'm guessing an attempt to get the roots over the soggy media.

Well, it does seem to be growing roots now. Our Orchid society has a meeting coming up where someone very generously covered the cost for everyone to transplant one plant to S/H culture just to experiment with other culture techniques (nothing wrong with branching out, right? ). I was originally going to replant my favorite Dtps., but I'm wondering if perhaps the Miltassia would be better suited. Does anyone have any experience with Mtssa. growth in S/H? Also, any thoughts considering the history of the plant?

(I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can get my camera to stop acting up.)

Thanks!

[camille1585]

Oncidium alliance plants do very well in S/H. I don't have any in S/H, but that's something I have read many times here. They love moisture around the roots, so S/H is usually well suited for them. As long as your Miltassia has some brand new roots starting to grow, it should be a perfect candidate. And for a first try, I would think it's better to test with a cheap plant rather than one you are attached to.

[wtamuboi]

Well that's good to know, the problem is that I'm already attached to the plant. Sure it was a grand total of $5 online, but it's a cultivar that's been on my wish-list for a while now. The fact that it needs my help only makes me want to help it more. After the roots recover, I'd like to divide it as well but considering I've never done that, I'm fairly terrified. Oh well, one step at a time.

[camille1585]

I know what you mean. $5 or $50, they have a way of making us fall in love with them. Especially ones you bring back from the dead.

[shadytrake]

I have 2 of this exact chid in s/h and they love it. I put them in as cutting divisions. They took right off with no issues.

Go for it.

[wtamuboi]

Thanks a lot! Will S/H growing alter the lighting requirements at all? I have a south-facing balcony, but a building and a hackberry tree basically limit my direct sun exposure to 2:30 - 6:30. I'm also training a fairly dense pothos to dapple that a bit. I have the Miltassia with most of my Cattleyas and there doesn't seem to be any problems so far, other than they get thirsty much quicker than the plants I have on shelves covered with shadecloth.

[Matt]

I have several Oncidium alliance plants in SH right now wtamboi! One that I purchased in bloom in march, I transplanted to SH once the flowers fell. It surely didnt take long to have an abundance of root growth and has grown 4 new bulbs since. I too keep mine in a south facing window. actually I have 26 plants in SH and not a one of them dislikes it!

[flyfishdoc]

When I transplanted all of mine to S/H, I kept them in the same light. They have all done well. I have moved a few phals a foot farther from the window when I see purple, but I don't see any effect from the light and S/H