Mps. Tome Yokohama 'Golden Gate'

Miltoniopsis Tome Yokohama 'Golden Gate' is a lovely hybrid, with a lineage that takes us back to some remarkable species. The 'Golden Gate' cultivar received an Award of Merit (AM) from the American Orchid Society with a score of 83 points in 1993, a testament to its beauty.

The parentage of Mps. Tome Yokohama is a cross between Mps. Augusta von Trapp and Mps. Golden Ransom. Now, to truly understand this orchid, we need to go back further. Mps. Augusta von Trapp is a hybrid of Mps. Goodale Moir and Mps. Anneliese Rothenberger. Mps. Golden Ransom is a cross between Mps. Herrenhausen and Mps. Edmonds.

Tracing this all the way back to the species:

• Miltonia warszewiczii (from Costa Rica and Panama, found in wet montane forests at elevations of 3,300 to 5,000 ft, with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F during the day and 50°F to 60°F at night).
• Miltonia spectabilis (from Brazil, a lowland species found at sea level to 650 ft, preferring warm temperatures from 75°F to 90°F during the day and 65°F to 70°F at night).
• Miltonia clowesii (from Brazil, found in damp forests at elevations up to 2,600 ft, with moderate temperatures of 70°F to 85°F during the day and 55°F to 65°F at night).
• Miltonia candida (from Brazil, found at elevations from 1,300 to 2,000 ft, experiencing warm to intermediate temperatures of 75°F to 85°F during the day and 60°F to 65°F at night).
• Miltonia schroederiana (from Brazil, found in moist montane forests at elevations of 1,600 to 3,300 ft, with intermediate temperatures of 70°F to 80°F during the day and 55°F to 60°F at night).

The foliage of Mps. Tome Yokohama 'Golden Gate' is typically a lovely mid-green, with pseudobulbs that are ovate to oblong-ovate, somewhat flattened, and grow to about 3 to 4 inches tall. Each pseudobulb bears two oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic leaves, up to 10 inches long and 1.5 inches wide.

The flowers are truly captivating. The plant typically produces upright flower spikes, usually about 18 to 24 inches tall, bearing multiple blooms. The individual flowers measure approximately 2 to 3 inches across. The sepals and petals are a rich, velvety deep red, often with a subtle, darker venation that adds to their depth. The labellum (lip) is particularly striking, a slightly lighter shade of red, often with a beautiful, intricate pattern of darker maroon or even blackish radiating lines and a prominent yellow or golden-orange crest in the throat, creating a beautiful contrast that draws the eye. The shape of the flower is quite star-like, with relatively flat, broad segments. While not intensely fragrant, some find a very faint, sweet aroma, particularly on warm days. Blooming typically occurs in late spring to early summer, but mature plants can surprise us with additional spikes throughout the year.

Care Instructions:

• Light: Provide bright, indirect light. Avoid direct midday sun, which can scorch the leaves.
• Water: Water thoroughly when the potting medium approaches dryness. Do not allow the plant to sit in standing water. Reduce watering frequency during cooler, darker months.
• Temperature: Ideal daytime temperatures range from 70°F to 80°F, with nighttime temperatures between 55°F and 65°F.
• Humidity: Maintain moderate to high humidity, ideally between 60% and 80%.
• Potting Medium: A fine-grade orchid bark mix or a mixture of bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss works well. Repot every 1 to 2 years, or when the medium begins to break down.