I agree on color..I even have some greens whose spike and new growths are very red (Dolores Hoyt x Tom Thumb) 'Tamara'
And vice versa on the reds. But I will say that if you have seedlings of a red or orange and there is more red or orange at the bases of the pseudo bulbs there is a greater likelihood that the color is more intense..
I just posted a series of links to show the differences between grow and bud spikes so it will be clearer for the discussion ..it is posted on the discussion
Do Cyms need fertiliser in the winter
Posted there because someone asked for photos. Check them out on Flickr
So these 'growths' have grown out a little more. I'm pretty sure they are spikes because when I gently squeeze them it feels like a spike stem with some buds starting to develop above it. YEA!!! I have never bloomed this one before so I'm excited. Thanks everyone. I'll post up some pics when it starts blooming.