I think I know why it seems so many orchids are blooming now

[Laserbeak]

I've discovered several already with spikes/inflorescences in the past week or two. I think I've figured out the reason:

I live in NYC in a building that was built in the 1920s. That means that have a puny electricity supply since they didn't have air conditioning or any other of the gizmos and gadgets we have today. I can get it upgraded now (I couldn't when I first moved in and had the money) but it costs like over $5,000.

So, the upshot is I can't run my grow lights and my air conditioner at the same time, or the circuit breaker will flip. I'm at least lucky to have that, the apartment originally came with fuses you had to unscrew, throw away, and put in a new one when they blew.

Therefore, my orchids get a very hot steamy day when the lights are on during the day and a nice chilly night when the lights are off and I can run the A/C. That matches with what I've read about getting them to flower, having large day/night temperature changes.