My 3 equestris are free blooming. I get spikes from two of them at least 2-3 times a year. I have a f. aurea that is currently blooming on two new spikes in the middle of a hot summer. Spikes initiated several months ago but it was not particularly cool. I think it's hard to apply this theory to equestris. If the plant is healthy, getting adequate light & food, it should bloom.