Giant Miltoniopsis Hajime Ono x Robert Jackson....bloom darn you!!

[Aki_James]

Miltoniopsis are my favourite orchids by far.

I’ve owned a few, and killed a few but unfortunately they are extremely difficult to find in my area.

I bought this guy a year or so ago and it’s done surprisingly well compared to others I’ve owned. It has grown absolutely huge in a very short time and is now bursting out of the 8” pot that I potted it up into only 6 months or so ago.

My problem...despite having a crazy root system, Perfectly plump pseudobulbs and at least a dozen new growths, I cannot get it to flower.

Every time a bulb matures it just throws out 2 new leads.

I’ve researched and read a million things but nothing’s worked to push it into spike.

Currently in a south window which only gets bright light (the overhang of the balcony keeps sun from actually getting through the windows) being so I have it also under Led grow lights, in both the red, and blue spectrum.

Any experts know a trick?

There’s a few accordion leaves but they have been on the plant since I bought it as with most plant shops the roots were mush after I got it home and repotted it. But it’s bounced back fiercely.

Also the plant is a lot lighter green in person, the typical light almost silvery green that most are, I’m assuming my light source for the picture was just not ideal.

[MrHappyRotter]

It's large, but that doesn't always mean it's ready to bloom. It may be a matter of having some patience, waiting a year or so isn't really that long in the grand scheme of things. Many orchids will skip blooming for a year or two after repotting or after a significant change in conditions.

One factor that you didn't mention is what your fertilization routine is. Some plants need a bit of a rest from fertilizer, because otherwise, nitrogen in the feed will encourage them to produce vegetative growth instead of blooms. I'm not sure that applies to Miltoniopsis, but it's a consideration.

[Aki_James]

My fertilizer routine is on the light side for this one as i don’t want to over do it. I’m fertilizing every 2 weeks with a quarter strength bloom booster 15-30-15. I was actually wondering if maybe I wasn’t fertilizing enough as this plant is very vigorous. I counted today 11 brand new growths on top of the 5 not yet matured growths. Or perhaps you are correct and I need to stop fertilization all together and give it some tough love.


I think it may just seem longer than usual because the rest of my collection is blooming circles around this one, even some of my newer acquisitions have rebloomed several times in comparison. I guess I need to practice more patience. Hopefully when it decides to bloom I’ll have quite a show.

Orchids are always teaching us something new🤷🏻*♂️

[IngieBee]

I believe it needs more light. It is plenty large enough to bloom, but the 'healthy dark green' foliage is a sure sign of insufficient light.

But please be careful, and don't just stick her outside in direct sunlight, you could burn her. Slowly increase the light in a brighter window and keep an eye on her. Bring her up to the light levels when her leaves start to look yellowish, and maybe pull back a tad. Good luck!