Orchids require "rest" time each year. The precise time for this depends on the species, but for most orchids it should start some time in the fall and continue well into winter. You should care for plants differently at this time than you would during their energetic growth periods (spring and summer usually). This is a necessary part of growing orchids successfully.

A good general practice is to provide your orchids rest from November through the middle of February. At this time you need to lower the temperature in the growing room and cut back on watering.

For orchids from the tropics, maintain the air temp at approximately 60 or 65. For species from cooler climes, you can let the temperature drop to as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

During this time, provide your plants just enough water to keep them from shriveling. Most of the moisture should be supplied by misting or by taking steps to keep the air humid. From time to time, 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 growth for the year. You need to give these as much sun and light during their resting time as you can. This is to allow their pseudobulbs to ripen, letting them grow stronger and flower more freely.

Proper orchid care is not that hard or mysterious. But to prevent problems will require more detailed information than can be included in a short article. The most complete guide to modern orchid care, without a doubt, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded online. Mr. Howard's guide is a full course of study, helpful for novices and the more experienced growers alike. Also, be sure to visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has an ever-growing library of postings on many topics of orchid cultivation.