You said that you have a basic understanding of botany, but now you are beginning to assert yourself as "all knowing." It is in your opinion that flushing is dumb. Other people feel that NOT flushing is dumb. I feel that you may be a bit misinformed, or possibly were sick the day your high school teacher was discussing the finer points of photosynthesis. Furthermore, if the plant freaks out because it's not getting the nutes it's used to, it starts pumping what's left into the buds. Kinda like what adrenaline does for us humans, gives us the added strength or endurance in times of need. But be careful, if you listen closely, you can hear the plant screaming.
I have an orchid, it's 4 years old, and I have never once given it any nutrients, distilled water all the way. It flowers regularly, without added nutrients. It's funny, the only thing I was searching for on the interweb was flushing, or not flushing. I stumbled onto this website, and really, the only reason I registered was because SirLancelot here was contradicting himself left and right, and it really got under my skin. I will frequent these pages more now. So, SirLancelot, thank you for your unnecessary and uninformed ramblings. Without these I would not have found this site, but you do make me feel better about my abilities as a writer.
-CheerS-
TP