Update
ES called it
It definitely was thrips or at least some sort of other bud eating pest. After spraying down the entire plant with spinosad and giving the developing spike a squirt every week, I now have blooms
They are not the prettiest flowers. I suspected the thrip civilization got some damage in before their demise. But I am still very thankful and happy about these. They smell like bar soap. Just wonderful.
Additionally, the first spike which dropped all of its buds surprised me by developing another bud and bloomed as well