Watering schedule for lava rock?

[Iggy75]

I recently received a miltassia orchid as a gift, and it is planted in lava rock. I am having a hard time figuring out when to water. Does this medium dry out really fast?

[kid a]

In my experience since it drains so well yes it does, but it does hold some moisture in the pockets and crevices as well as in the little air holes in the rocks. I haven't had very good luck with it as my roots usually got dried up and shriveled. I eventually had to repot teverything after a few months. I haven't quite figured it out yet either, lol.

[amersault]

hi, Iggy -

as w/ KidA, lava rock drains well but also supposedly holds moisture for a bit longer due to the crevices and such. i would think your watering schedule would also largely depend on environmental humidity, on top of what the plant needs. in this case you may need to water daily due to it draining so easily.

as Miltassia is a cross of Miltonia x Brassia, i'll forward the culture sheet link to the Miltonia species to help you along:

AOS | Miltonia

do post pictures of your new acquisition!

[janet_a]

what kind of pot? the plastic dries out faster than the clay; my dens are in lava in clay pots, and i absolutely drown them once a week.

they are taking over the kitchen.

[kmarch]

Kid_a, you might actually be doing better than you think. Though you say you haven't figured s/h out, you've learned and been able to describe some of the characteristics of s/h growing and you have learned that certain orchids in your care do not respond very well to it. Sounds to me like you're figuring it out.

[kid a]

It's funny, I have gotten a Bllra, a Brs x Wils, an Slc, and a Stima (or Stlma?) all came in lava rock mixes, so far two have been repotted and are doing lots better. The Bllra is doing the same as when I got it but the top roots are drying out, and the Brs x Wils all the flowers wilted within the first few days of having it, the unopend buds never opened and the ginormous spike where the unopened buds were slumped over in half :0 But after the repots on the other the growth started up like wild, if only i could get them to bloom! Lol!

[Iggy75]

It is in a plastic pot. After it is done blooming I would like to repot it into a different media, as it has roots growing everywhere! For those of you who have experience with these orchids, what type would you recommend? I will try and post a pic of this beautiful orchid later today when I get some more time!