Mtssa. C.M. Fitch

[siriusmk]

Hi everyone!

I just purchased my first oncidium at the philadelphia flower show it's a Mtssa. C.M. Fitch Izumi. Can anyone tell me what Mtssa is short for? I'm very nervous because it has such beautiful blooms and I don't want to kill it. The lady there gave me general instructions and told me they need similar care to cattleyas (bright light/drying between watering). The orchid care sheet she gave me says that oncidiums with finer roots need to be watered more frequently as opposed to fleshy roots and this one has fine roots so should I not let it completely dry out between waterings? Can the blubs shrivel up a little bit or should they never be allowed to shrivel up. I've been letting the pseudoblubs on my cattleyas shrivel a little bit before watering it and they've been doing fine. I tried to google it and see if i could get more specific care instructions but that came up short.
Could anyone also recommend a good orchid reference book?

[Anton]

What a beautiful flower, how big is it ?

Could you post another picture with something to reference the size.

[siriusmk]

here are more pictures

[Anton]

Gee, I didn't realise just how large it is.

I am in a learning phase too as far as the flowers that the different varieties produce. Your pictures give me a great indication as to size, there's nothing worse that seeing a lovely flower and trying to guess its size as there is nothing to compare it with, thank you now I know with this one.

I was under the impression that this was a relatively small flower.

To me it looks like it needs repotting, that particular pot looks too small for the entire plant. It seems to be trying to "crawl" out of it to get some more room, although even in bigger pots they tend to do the same thing at times.

Apart from that, it is a very healthy looking plant, one I would be proud of.

[siriusmk]

Thank you Anton. Hopefully I will be able to keep it healthy. Do you really think it needs repotting? Maybe I will attempt to do so after the flowers die. I am comfortable repotting phalaenopsis and cattleya orchids and am very nervous about this miltassia. I will have to read up more about it before i attempt such a feat. I guess it needs a fine medium since the roots are so thin.

[mayres]

I purchased that orchid 3-4 months ago and repotted it after blooming into a one inch larger pot (4 to 5 inch) in fine bark and perlite. It has not stopped growing - putting out tons of new leads. It has not rebloomed yet though - maybe because it is winter and I cannot supply enough artificial light - I have it right up against my fluorescents. Will put outside in a month and a half or so. I've never seen a plant grow so fast! Interesting.................

[Stargazer997]

Hi siriusmk,
I just received (via eBay) a Miltassia Shelob "Webmaster" yesterday! I do know Miltassia is a cross between Miltonia x Brassia. But I am anxious, as you, to hear the expert's advise on care as this is one I've also googled and not come up with much detail. Mine seems to be about the same size as yours, without the roots peeking out, but unfortunately not yet in bloom. Yours looks great!
Martha

[Pensacola Eric]

I bought a Miltassia Charles M. Fitch ‘Izumi’ a few months ago in bloom as well. Here's my pictures when it was in bloom. Here's the information I got hen I researched the plant. It is a cross between Brassia verrucosa and Miltonia spectabilis. You are correct that you should treat it similar to a Cattleya (light should be around 2000 to 4000 foot candles). Leaves should be bright green. Reddish green means too much light and dark green means not enough light. The Brassia is from Brazil and likes warmer temps. I plan on putting mine out on my covered patio (faces southeast) as soon as the lows are around 55 to 60 (should be only a few weeks away here). As with most orchids, I read they like pretty high humidity (55%-75%)and good air movement (I use fans even in my covered patio). Ideal teamps are 75-85 highs during the day and 55-65 lows during the night. Of course, these can be grow inside on a windowsill. These should be pretty easy to grow. Bloom time is late fall to early winter. Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater. Flowers are good for cutting.

[Pensacola Eric]

I am becoming a big fan of the Brassias and Brassia crosses. I like the look of spider orchids. Here's another one I bought recently that is now in bloom.

Odbrs Fangtastic Bob Henley (Brs. Rex x Odbrs. Kenneth Bivin)