The Stanhopeinae SkunkWorks

"Can I train my Embreea to bloom for an out-of-season show?" was asked in the context of modifying seasonal blooming. Little did I know Paul Mitchell would report the following via some e-mail banter:

[
Stanhopea saccata which outside for me usually lasted about 3 days, once
lasted 6 days at work in a room with no windows but with light 24 hrs (dim
emergency lights at night) so I think it couldn't 'see' the passing of the
days and did not know when to fold up its flowers.
My stanhopeas seem to pop their buds shortly after first light. This was
true with Cirrhaea saccata, also.
]

Sooo... Is an informal study worth pursuing here?

Here's a kicker; If you forcibly assist the buds in opening, the shape of the flower changes. I've done it on two Stanhopea species with the same result. The column becomes nearly "straight" and the spread of the mesochile (where applicable) increases. Really opens things up and eases artificial pollination! The method - about 2-3 days before you think they'll pop, wet a toothpick and ease a point between sepal layers.   Work along the layers until the sepals are seperated. That's it. Don't force the sepals back (they'll tear). Wait and see what happens. It appears the flowers that receive the most direct sun "open" the most. I'll try and get my photos scanned and posted soon.