You can expect blooms from some time in December to some time in February. Normally... as in average. Some years, you could get blooms as early as late November and as late as early March. I have yet to see stats on the total number of days that the plants bloom.

And in your first year? Well, it is even more unpredictable because your plant is not used to being in your backyard and therefore, is not used to the up and down temp changes. These fluctuations cause buds to die when the plant is not used to them. Being in South Florida will definitely minimize the possibility of very cold temps though.

Your plant is already late blooming so I would plan on getting blooms shortly, for a month plus a little longer this first year. Write the number of days on a wall calendar so you can get more accurate as years pass by. Cover the plant if there are news of low temps much below what the plant has experienced before. And take some pictures when the plant is in full bloom in case something happens before your sister visits in mid March. It feels like she will be visiting just as the plant is ending its bloomage, doesn't it? Post pictures here too if you have a digital camera!

Good luck, Luis