A few weeks ago I was out of town for a couple of weeks. I instructed my friend who was checking on the house not to water the orchids, but just to spray them with a sprayer. (I figured having him water would cause more problems than good)

It turns out that a couple weeks after I returned I am seeing several plants sending up spikes, and an oncidium that hasn't bloomed in a few years finally deciding it's time. My theory is that being a little mean to the orchids must have motivated them a little.

Just wondering, does anyone here plan a period into their regimen where they allow their plants to go without fertilizer and water? Is this a reliable way of stimulating blooming or was this just a coincidence?