Spikes on Standard Cymbidiums (or, never say never)

[smweaver]

The Midwest is not what you would call an ideal environment to grow standard cymbidiums--or maybe to grow, but not to flower. So I'm quite proud to have done something correct--even if only temporarily--as three of my cymbidiums are now in spike:

Cymbidium Tethys 'Black Magic'
Cymbidium Redondo Sunset 'Goliath'
Cymbidium Redondo Gold 'Stunner'

All three were bought during a moment of impulsive foolishness a year ago from Joe Santy in the Los Angeles area, after staring with envy at many pictures of his plants (in addition to his own website, Joe has a Facebook page, and following it is a very bad habit for anyone who desires to grow a genus of orchids where they probably shouldn't be grown). As soon as the buds open I think I might send Joe some photos to let him know that he wasn't condemning his babies to a slow death.