Phalaenopsis Spike Initiation

[Bird Song Farm]

[SIZE="3"]Hi!
Hoping someone can help me with this problem...

What is the length of cool temps. Phals need to initiate spikes?
My extensive searches on Phal. culture all mention that a "cool period of nights in the 50's" is needed for spikes to initiate. However, I can find no one culture page that gives a length of time for his cooler period. Is it a day (night) or two, a week, a month? Also, here in Maine our nights are now in the 50's (F) and days can be anything from the cool, damp, 60's to the low humidity 70's and low 80's. If I place my Phals outside, are the days to warm? Next month (Sept.) the nights will be in the 40's (F) and days in the 60's and low 70's.

Thank you in advance for any and all advice. It is much appreciated by this "newbie" !!

/SIZE]