Arthur, yep, the rating systems are abused. I've never bought or sold on eBay, but evidently, jellybeanaiko has a list of complaints there, going back at least 3 years, so Carl's bad experience doesn't seem the exception. For me, if a non-orchid vendor wasn't listed w/ the Better Business Bureau, then The Squeaky Wheel could be one way to check them out. I hate it that people trash others unfairly, via formal rating systems or otherwise - one US politician recently said he would vote against confirmation of a nominee to a federal post because 3 years ago, the nominee had written a brief comparison of a 2nd politician to a 3rd that didn't seem unkind even in spirit. It's just that the 1st guy idolizes the 2nd guy and loathes the 3rd. Your son's fish society rating system probably didn't stand a chance in this crazy world. Whitecat8

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.

Biker, never heard of Orchidboard...assume it's an Orchid Forum? I believe Hoovb is right. Cost. Since Spike left, 'original owner of GW', ads and pop-ups have increased, big time. Although the ads are a pain, the money has to come from somewhere. Rather see ads than have to pay a fee..lol. I love GW, the people, discussions. I'm happy it exists, even if it doesn't have options other forums do. But, that's just me. When a thread is started, the poster can check the box if he/she wants to be informed someone responded, but refrain from checking so emails don't go to Inbox. I'm glad GW has that option. Who knows? There may be a time when GW updates. Biker, when you wrote, 'None of this searching for things in which ""you"" are participating,' what exactly did you mean? lol. Me as in, me, Toni, or everyone here? Toni

Thanks for the link; I'll check it out later. How are the free e-journals progressing? Are the editorial standards as vigorous as for the top-flight print journals? Springer also offers a sort of "best of..." service, in my case I chose Crop Science, articles garnered from an array of their journals. Unfortunately, the notification is monthly and fewer than a dozen articles are posted to me with each email. I had better response from BioMedNet and other similar sites. At one point I received email notifications of a half dozen journals from Springer and could access abstracts. Too often abstracts were not available so I could only access the first line or two of the papers at best. Not very useful or enlightening.