Miltassias are intergeneric hybrids of a Miltonia (a cool growing plant) with a Brassia (an intermediate growing plant). Well, like any orchid, they prefer to be exposed to natural light and in an environment like that of a greenhouse which holds in humidity Despite that fact, orchids can be grown in the house. Better if the plant was put in a sunny window (south or southeastern facing). OR under artificial light. But you need a full-spectrum light bulb. There are grow light bulbs which you can buy. Humidity is another thing. Misting helps, but you can create a micro-climate by putting the plant over a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water. But never let the plant touch or sit in this water. Usually grow trays have a grate over it. You can make your own grow tray by buying a piece of plastic grid used to cover overhead florescent office lights or a section of galvanized wire cloth. Any kind of grate that will elevate the plant from the tray of water. Yes, the do say that a plant should stay in its pot if it's turned upside down. You don't really have to tamp down that hard on the medium. The plant should be tamped in enough so that the plant doesn't wiggle or fall out. Most bark mixes do drain fairly fast. You have to water more frequently if the mix is mostly just fir bark. So-called phaleanopsis mixes have more stuff like perlite, fine charcoal and some ground peat in it to hold more moisture. You may want to look into that kind of stuff. There is also some mixes like Aussie Gold (expensive) which is fresh water dyatomite rock mixed with ground coir (coconut fiber), fine charcoal or fine black pumice sand etc. So many kinds of planting media. I'd avoid long strand sphagnum for your plant. Holds too much water too long. (unless you grow in a bright greenhouse in a clay pot.) Also, there is a choice of pots. A clay pot dries out very quickly. A plastic pot (with bark mixes) dries out more slowly. I usually put styrofoam plastic packing peanuts in the bottom of my pots when I repot. The peanuts allow drainage. Even when the plant is packed tight with moss or bark. Your plant requires fertilizer too. But if the plant isn't in an better environment like a dark room with a desk lamp for light, fertilizer won't help. Most if not all orchids require good quality light. When the plant shows signs of growing, then feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer (water soluble) stuff good for any houseplant. You don't need "orchid" food. As long as the fertilizer has the right amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and other trace elements. Hope this helps.

Hi Mary, The first thing to know is the kind of orchid you have. Is it a Phalaenopsis? It seems a little odd that your plant would lose all of its blooms over so short a time. With my Phals aging is a gradual, one blossom at a time process over the blooming life of the spike (3-4 months). Short of breaking the spike, only three things have ever caused me to lose blossoms prematurely : The first was misreading when the plant needed water. Blooming plants use more water--or use it faster--than when there are no blooms. Blooms will close and fall if the plant is allowed to get too dry. I learned that I must check the media, rather than guess or time how often to water. The second culprit was fertilizer. I now stop fertilizing when the first blossom opens and do not resume until the last flower falls. If I accidentally include fertilizer when watering a blooming Phal, I can count on losing up to three flowers in rapid succession. The third was intense sunlight directly on the blossoms. Many orchid blossoms are too delicate and wither in the heat of direct sun. Sweetcicely

Hi Matty, Welcome to orchid growing. I'm sure this will not be your only one. Phallies ( as they are popularly known) are one of the most popular beginner's orchids, probably because they are so easy to care for. The most critical factor with them is light. They need plenty but will not tolerate direct sunlight except in the early hours of the day or late evening. Second is temperature; they must be kept warm throughout the year. With both factors in mind, most beginners tend to keep them as houseplants, Choose either a NW or NE facing windowsill so they get weak sunlight for part of the day, Never let temps fall below 15C 60F. If you have to have a sunnier location, shade the plant with net curtains. When you see a new leaf forming fertilize lightly with tomato (high potash) fertilizer. Be patient. As a rule they do not reflower quickly, though see my thread "Frequent flowerers" Good luck - Ian.

Welcome to the wonderful world of orchid growing.There is a FAQ item on how to post a picture. To find that go to the top of the discussions page and click on FAQ (Frequently asked questions) If you cannot figure out how to post a pic you can go to google..... put in Dendrobium or Phalaenopsis and select images to find out what out what sort of orchid you have.