Miltoniopsis tristar knight - buds not opening

[Brenda Aarts]

Heres one for the Miltoniopsis experts out there. My dad has a Mps tristar knight that he gets to spike quite frequently, infact it presently has 2 spikes, which leads me to believe he has the appropriate growing conditions. The buds get to be fully formed etc, however they do not open. After considerable time my mother has pried open the buds to find a fully formed flower. Has anyone else experienced this? There is nothing sticky on the outside of the buds which would prevent them from opening. Can you think of anything that would cause this to happen? I have tried to research tristar knight on orchid wiz, however it is not listed, maybe a really new cross...not sure. Any assistance would be appreciated.

[CTB]

can't help you but maybe a bump will do.

[chipmunk1]

Google "Miltoniopsis Tristar Knight" and you shall see a picture @ Paramount Oncidium Intergenerics M-Odontonia.

Sometimes my Miltoniopsis flower buds (hybrids and species) have trouble opening when the room humidity is low. I help it along by misting flower with distiled water and gently prying. Not too much mist or pressure, otherwise the flower might bruise.

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[silken]

I don't have a lot of experience with Milts as I am just waiting for my first flower spike to get larger and bloom. But I have read many times that low humidity is often the cause of the flowers not opening or not fully opening.

[phalaephila]

There is Miltonia Tristar Knight listed on OrchidWiz...

Culture there calls for cool temperatures and high humidity.

[Brenda Aarts]

Thanks all for your help. Looks like mainly a humidity issue. Will pass this info along.