Orchids need “rest” time every year. The exact time for this depends on the species, but for most orchids it should start some time in the autumn and continue well into winter. You must care for your plants differently at this time than you would during their energetic growth periods (spring and summer usually). This is an important part of growing orchids successfully.
A good general practice is to give your orchids rest from November through the middle of February. The way you do this is by lowering the thermostat and not watering as much.
For tropical species, keep the temperature at about 60 or 65. For species originating in colder locales, you can lower the temperature to around 45 degrees.
During this time, give your orchids just enough water to keep them from shriveling. The bulk of the moisture should be supplied by misting or by taking measures to keep the air humid. Occasionally, though, you should poke down into the soil and examine the stem, roots and rooting medium of your plants. If these are beginning to dry out you should water them directly.
Some species will continue to grow during the winter. These will need somewhat more water than those that truly go dormant. If you see new shoots emerging, though, try to avoid wetting them or they else they could rot.
Some orchids are deciduous. This means they will drop their leaves after they have finished their growing for the year. You need to give these as much sun and light during their rest period as you can. This will allow their pseuduobulbs to ripen, which in turn causes them to grow stronger and flower more freely.
Caring properly for orchids during their rest is not that difficult. Avoiding all problems, though, requires a good bit more information than can be covered in a short space. The most thorough guide to today’s orchid cultivation, it is widely acknowedged, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded from the web. Mr. Howard’s guide is a comprehensive course of study, helpful for beginners and more experienced fanciers alike. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of postings on many aspects of orchid cultivation.
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