Hi Velleta, I think this might not go well (sorry)...aggregatum grows like nobiles and likes a fall/winter cool dry dormancy period. I think you might have problems getting it to flower.
Here's a linkhttp://www.viviorchids.com/index.php?module=webpage&id=6&page=7

Thanks Dbarron, someone suggested I placed it in the fridge at nights and remove it in the mornings what do you think?

Lol, the only two problems I see with that...would be...ethylene gas in the fridge (fruits, veggies) that would bud abortion and...my fridge sometimes takes spells of freezing eggs..so temp is just a bit iffy.
I have no problems with winter chill, other than finding perfect place so that it doesn't freeze (lol) but gets enough (I could do in my laundry room and rescue for 4-5 of the coldest nights of the year)...I never thought about tropics being limited in some ways like this.

The season does get a bit cooler here, but I am not sure if it will be cool enough to initiate spike or bud formation. Bummer. Velleta

The $64 dollar question is how much (if any) winter chill is required. I have learnt the hard way that drier does not mean bone dry. Never tried to grow this orchid which has a reputation of being very difficult. All you can do is grow it outside and place it somewhere so that it doesn't get rained on during its "resting period" . In nature there would a sprinkle now and then from the skies and of course some dew.

Numerous old threads. Here is one. Den. aggregatum

Well I suppose I will just have to ride the waves of hope and see, I have a year to figure it out and that's if I don't kill it before so fingers crossed. Thanks guys. Velleta

I have an idea. What if you found just the right place up high in the mountain? Find out who those people are that live at the highest levels. For a couple of weeks I lived at 700' in Dominica. The temperatures were cooler. Air conditioning was always needed at Sea level but never in the mountain.

So see if you can board your Den with a friendly spirit up high and bring it back when it starts to show bud. Possibly get 2 plants. One for you and one for the step parent. Just for the fun of it, halfway through this made up winter, put it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Get the plant to 45 plus or minus. Just once.

Or give it away. Your location is near perfection for a very large menu of orchids. Pick from the menu. For the same work that might be a waste of time and money you could grow 3 menu plants of your choosing robustly! With high probability...

But the challenge is out there.

Now that Jane has moved to the tropics she can probably give us an update on how her plant is going.

The Straggly banana herb has been removed and the Mango trees have had lots of fruit this year. I would never plant one. They get big and give too much shade. It's tough here in the upside down sub-tropics.

Arthur, Jane is also in the sub-tropics. Velletta is in the heart of the tropics...Unless Jane has moved south of Florida?

What are your winter high and low temps? I have one that flowers with winter night time lows around 60 degrees. As for the dry rest, I do go 2 or 3 weeks without water starting in October then increase to once a week in February. I don't know if this is necessary, lately I've been thinking that just because a plant can survive being that dry doesn't mean it needs to be that dry. For most of my plants I feel that just being inside over winter with a weekly watering is enough of a dry period.

Honestly I am not sure but sometimes it does get very cool, cool enough to wear cardigans during the day. But I have never really paid attention to it until now. And I am sure what I just said is of no help. Velleta

Hee, hee, yeah, I know women that find 70 needs a sweater...so that's very subjective

Hi Bill thanks for sharing your growing experience with me. I do realize I might have a battle up my lane with this plant but I am willing to try. Presently it has put out two new growths I am assuming are new psudobulbs indicating it has started it's new growing season so that's a bit of progress my way. I am planning to move it to the cooler side of my porch comes november ( if it lives through my heavy watering hand). And then take it from there. This is a plant I really loved by just seeing the pictures and I am going full force to keep it happy. Thanks again.Velleta

Hi Velleta, mine has been blooming for the last few weeks. I'm not totally sure what triggers the spiking. The nights did cool down but it began to spike when there was not a big temp drop. Probably back in December. I'm guessing it doesn't take a big drop. I grow mine mounted and it gets watered when it rains. I do not even think about it. Frankly, I forget about it. I don't hand water, but it gets rained on.

It has been hanging in bloom for weeks without any additional watering. It has not rained for weeks, the day/night temps have been warm, 80's/60's night. The pbulbs are shriveled but I'm not concerned about it.

In your climate, I would mount it somewhere with strong light and forget it. Don't water it unless you haven't had rain for a long time. I think the problems people have is paying too much attention to it! Not a good shot, but it so pretty. Love this plant!

Jane