Last year I broke off the spike and never got to see this flower... well, this year it rewarded me with 4 spikes and lots of flowers. I know they'd look better had I staked them up but I don't "show" my plants and I enjoy them just as much staked or just hanging out!
I use the Better-Gro product line because it is similar to the MSU formula and much easier and cheaper for me to procure. The instructions call for a teaspoon/gal watering weekly. I usually mix weaker than that and from time to time do a wash-out with just water.