Set times for flower spikes?

[sapphireeyes27]

Hi there!

I was wondering if there was a specific time for the flower spike to begin. I believe that I read somewhere that the late fall/early winter is a normal time, but I may have just made that up in my mind.

I only started with orchids last May, and I only have phalaneopsis. I have never had one when it began to produce a flower spike, but I think my one phal is doing it now. I have five in total. One isn't doing too well, but the others seem to be doing very well. They have noticable root growth, and three of those have produced new leaves in the past month.

One of my phals (all I know is that the guy I got it from said it will have yellow spotted flowers) has a thick light green root-looking thing that is growing out of the crown (at least, I think that's what it's called).

So, my questions are:

a. Is this the typical time for flower spikes to start?

and

b. Should I do anything special now that my phal may be growing one?

Thanks!

Rachel