Miltassia Shelob 'The Weed', repotted and possibly in trouble

[Dalton]

I try to do as much experimenting as I can. I tell people that ask me about starting in orchids, or any plants, not to get one plant and become attached to it. I tell them to get a few plants and expect to loose 1 or 2. If they don't, it's just a bonus.

I just hate experimenting with things I can't replace. I've split that Miltassia Shelob, so now I can experiment with it. It's not the best orchid, but I like it and it was my very first one. I feel similarly about a Gongora Chocoensis 'Columbia' I recently acquired.

It's spiking by the way. I lost the first spike it put out, but the man that had sold it to me had divided it and repotted it so he could keep some. It also went from a greenhouse to my room, so I'm not fretting over loosing it. I won't if I loose this one. I think I was also under watering it. I've picked up on watering it and I've been misting it twice a day. If I get flowers off it, I'll post them on this site, because it really is a very pretty flower. I looked up others of it's type and didn't like any of them nearly as well. It was in flower before I bought it. If I can find the picture, I'll post it on the bottom of this post.

Other wise, I pick up cheap orchids and experiment all the time. I loose some and some do fine. If I've got a bunch of one I pick up cheap, I'll give it away.

People who get one and get attached to it, dumping all of their hopes into it, get really discourage and sometimes want to quite keeping orchids/plants if it dies on them. I hate to see that.

Edit: Add Photos

Gongora Chocoensis 'Columbia'

[Helene]

I dont have a Miltassia, so I'm not sure- but I do have other orchids that have pretty much the same regarding the bulbs and roots.
When mine was in bark I had to water very often for the bulbs not to shrivel. Actually it grew the best when it was almost time for repotting. When the bark was more moist.

I started to add some moss to it, but it didnt give the effect I wanted to. Yeah- it was a bit more moist, but very uneven.
So, I tried smaller bark, and more moss- and that did the trick. (Actually this year I've been using forest moss on many of them- including oncidium, dendrobium, zygopetalum, catasetum, brassia and so on)- and they have grown really nice this year. (Not saying you should experiment, just saying it might work for you- you need to find the media that holds enough water for you. Some people like to water very often, some like to water once a week)

Often phalaenopsis get too much water- but I also believe that many other orchids get too little water. We are so concerned about overwatering and not giving the roots enough air- so we hold back. Most plant with small roots like water a bit more than phalaenopsis do. And the bulbs are a good indicator (except for when they actually are overwatered, roots die and bulbs shrivel. But mostly its the opposite- too little water)

Roots need air, so soil is never a good solution for orchids (except those that grow outside in gardens- they might like it). But: you can have airy media even though its not bark. Or you can use bark, and water more often.

I split an oncidium into five parts in april. And some backbulbs aswell. The five parts have been growing five new growths- started two spikes, and started three more growths (8 growths and two spikes), and backbulbs have started a total of 9 growths. All in one summer, after changing to a more moist media.

Mine doesnt do well in bark, but I have a pretty low humidity, so that might be the reason. (I keep all the phalaenopsis in bark)





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[Dalton]

I'm definitely one of those who likes to water once a week. I think I'd have to order smaller bark. That's like orchiata right? All I see around my town is the Miracle Grow Orchid bark.

[Helene]

Dont know abour the orchiata. In my place there is an orchid nursery like three hours away. In the local shops they only have crappy moss and bark.

Thats how I ended up trying "forest moss" and bark for terrarium. It works in my environment.

Whatever you find that works with watering and plants are okay

The orchiata can be a bit dry, I read. Someone recommended (maybe Ray?) pouring hot water on the bark first, and potting when its cold again. (If you use cold water you need to soak it, you loose some benefitial stuff then).




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[Dalton]

I have heard of orchiata, but there isn't anywhere near me, that I know of, that carries it. I'd have to order it of the internet. I was told by the speaker at our clubs orchid club meeting that Kelly's Korner is a good place to order from.