Product Description
"Orchids are easy to grow, but one doesn't grow orchids like a rose, a cactus, or an African violet; one grows an orchid like an orchid! This book debunks some of the hard-to-grow myths, gives cultural information, and does so in easy-to-understand language."--Robert J. Ferry, research associate, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

"A sure-fire guide for the novice grower and an excellent resource for the experienced orchidist. Painlessly integrates the botany and horticulture of the Orchid Family."--Paul Martin Brown, research associate, University of Florida Herbarium

Orchids have been collected and grown for commercial purposes for more than 150 years, but while these spectacular plants are ever more available to casual gardeners and hobbyists, many still regard selecting and caring for orchids beyond their abilities. This book has easy-to-read, clearly defined chapters on identifying, classifying, and cultivating orchids. Also included are descriptions and illustrations of more than 150 of the more commonly grown orchid genera. The descriptions in tabular, readable outlines make it easy to select plants by appearance as well as a variety of criteria, including genus, particular light or temperature requirements, native habitat, and flowering time.

Sheehan and Black also provide valuable tips on selecting good specimens to buy and on caring for them under a variety of conditions found in either home or greenhouse. For enthusiasts, they provide advice on preparing plants for exhibition as well as chapters on uses of orchids, orchid items as collectables, diseases, insects, physiological problems, and special growing arrangements such as greenhouses and shade structures. Especially valuable is the best and most complete illustrated glossary of orchid terminology on the market.

This informative, user-friendly guide will transform even the most casual orchid fan from admirer to collector and cultivator. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An inset selection of color plates rounds out this easy-to-use guide accessible to gardeners of all skill and experience levels.
Professors emeritus of environmental horticulture Thomas J. Sheehan and Robert J. Black combine their talents and expertise in Orchids to Know and Grow, a user-friendly guide to identifying, classifying, and cultivating orchids. Packed with tips, tricks, and techniques for selecting optimum specimens and properly tending to them at home or in a greenhouse, Orchids to Know and Grow also offers an extensive selection of orchid genera, with each listing featuring a black-and-white sketch of the orchid as well as its genus, tribe, subtribe, etymology, native habitat, number of species, commonly grown species, list of what the plant hybridizes with, and its generic description, flowering season, and methods of being cultured. An inset selection of color plates rounds out this easy-to-use guide accessible to gardeners of all skill and experience levels. ... Read more

Product Description
Orchids have a reputation as the divas of the plant world: fussy, difficult-to-grow plants that—on top of all that—are prohibitively expensive. But there are plenty of orchids that anyone can grow. Orchids are no more difficult than familiar houseplants such as the African violet, and can be made to thrive and bloom in average indoor conditions. You just need to know what makes them happy.

Bloom-Again Orchids highlights the easiest, most fuss free varieties and includes invaluable tips on where to buy orchids and how to keep them in bloom. Each of the fifty profiles focuses on a commonly available orchid variety and includes a description, photograph, chart of basic growing requirements, and a handy twelve-point checklist.

So if you've always been intrigued by orchids but were nervous about caring for them, put your worries aside. Bloom-Again Orchids will turn you from a would-be orchid fan into the proud owner of healthy  plants that will bloom year after year. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

bloom-again orchids
It was a bit of suprise reallycovered a lot of species some rarely seen in books.Colour of the orchids was really good eassy to read.

Orchidbook
Great book.Beautiful pictures.Arrived promptly.Really helpful to the novice orchid enthusiast.

Great Book for Beginners
This is an easy and fun read. Photos are gorgeous and inspirational, and the author writes in an inviting and friendly manner. Many of the orchids she recommends are easy to find and well worth it.

great for beginners
Enjoyed this book very much, it's nice to know which type of orchids are the fussiest, which are the most forgiving.
She is a very enjoyable read, you can tell she loves her plants and they give her great joy. It is thin on exact cultural requirements; however she steadfastly recommends the AOS for more info. This is a book that would hold the interest of even the most timid horticulturist.

Good but...
The book is well laid out, has useful information and attractive photos.My quibble with the author is the inclusion of Disa as an easy to grow orchid.

Disa needs rainwater,temps and humidity levels that are generally only possible if you live in specific areas of the US like San Francisco.It's really a greenhouse orchid for those with an intermediate level of growing experience.

"Easy" is a subjective term.Keep that in mind when making orchid selections based on the author's suggestions and see if other authors like Steve Frowine and William Cullina agree. ... Read more

Product Description

Distinguished by a prominent pouchlike sac which resembles a ballroom slipper and often decorated with warts, hairs, or stripes, the flowers of slipper orchids may be ugly or pretty, depending on your point of view. In either case, they are captivating to amateur and professional orchids growers alike and indeed may be the most poplar group of orchids in cultivation.

The tropical slipper orchids in cultivation come from two major genera, Paphiopedilum from Southeast Asia and Phragmipedium from Central and South America, and one minor genus, Mexipedium from Mexico. Tens of thousands of hybrids have been made using paphiopedilums and phragmipediums, and each year hundreds more are introduced. All are surrounded by mystique, and all can be grown as houseplants or greenhouse plants.

Descriptions of the species are organized into alliances which are of horticultural importance. The five most important species for breeding exciting hybrids are treated in a separate chapter. The last ten chapters introduce the best and mnost desirable hybrids, again by alliance.

Connoisseurs and beginners alike will find this a useful reference to one of the most intriguing groups of orchids.

Customer Reviews (8)

Great Book with Phenomenal Pictures
I purchased this for my father as an 80th birthday gift - he's grown orchids for over 60 years and recently added Phragmipediums to the assortment in his greenhouse.The book was perfect - excellent condition, obviously brand new, and with brilliant photographs.He is very pleased with his new book - and so am I - and has thoroughly enjoyed it.Very good reference book for both the species and hybrids.I am very pleased with this purchased - and, if I were also into this group of orchids, I would make sure I had a copy for myself.

Must have....
I review this tome as a relative new comer to the orchid scene. The writing is not only thorough but seems to answer queries as they arise in your mind. The illustrations are also exquisite. There is also a thorough and helpful section on cultivation which I found tremendously helpful.

An excellent review of the subject
I have been growing tropical slipper orchids for over 40 years and was aware of much of the material covered in this book but found that I was still learning as I read through it.It's a wonderfully written review that is great for those of us with years of experience as well as those who are just developing an interest in these intriguing orchids.I heartily recommend it to all those with all levels of interest.

Tropical Slipper Orchids
This book has gorgeous pictures and lots of information. I highly recommend it for the experienced orchidgrower, especially a Slipper grower.It might be a too overwhelming for the beginner unless they are really dedicated and determined to grow Slippers.

orchid book
This book has a scientific text.I bought it for the wonderful images of orchids and would have preferred a more layman text, but that is not who this book is written for.So I just enjoy looking at the pictures. ... Read more

Product Description

Whether your garden is a windowsill, a basement, a greenhouse, or a plot of land, Home Orchid Growing is the only reference book you will ever need to cultivate one of nature's most varied and fascinating plants. In the past forty years, it has become the best-known and most authoritative work in its field, and even gardeners who still have an original copy of this classic work will find much to inspire and delight them in the revised and updated fourth edition.

This completely revised and updated edition includes introductions to 650 of the more than 30,000 species of orchid, with advice on which plants to choose for a variety of growing conditions. For the neophyte, there are explanations of the fundamentals of plant structure and function, plus basic care instructions. For those who have already mastered the fundamentals, Home Orchid Growing provides detailed instructions on:

* Growing with artificial light
* Genetics and hybridization
* Seed germination and seedlings
* Cloning (micropropagation)
* Control of flowering
* Dealing with pests and diseases

This beautiful book is complete with drawings and photos of every phase of cultivation (including the construction and management of greenhouses and sample lighting setups). There are also full-color plates of the orchids themselves.

Of particular importance to growers is the updated information on the destruction of the tropical forests where many species of orchid thrive and discussions of how to save these natural habitats and develop seed banks for the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Reference material.... but way out of date
This book does have some valuable information but is too out of date (perhaps that's why it has not been updated for 19 years).The book was published prior to the discovery of the Phragmipedium bessae and way before the discovery of the controversial kovachii.When is the last time you used much less purchased osmunda fiber?

The book is a helpful reference (and likely worth buying if you grow cattleyas) but I would have to agree with the reviewer who was disappointed because there are too many black and white photos.Colour photos to help identify diseases and pests would've been helpful. The book has a lot of imformation about growing from seedlings/flask but suspect this information might be out of date as well.

This book was recommended by a person who had grown orchids for a long time.Unfortunately I would not consider this the orchid bible anymore, especially if you are relatively new to orchid growing.

Understanding Orchids by William Cullina is a good choice.

A VERY VERY VALUABLE RESOURCE - RECOMMEND HIGHLY!
I began attempting to grow orchids in my home a number of years ago.After making an absolute wretched mess of things and killing many a beautiful plant, I happened upon this book.It is one of the best purchaces I've made concerning this art, i.e. growing orchids.I must admit to having read this thing cover to cover and find myself constantly going back with each new purchase or gift of a plant.I simply could not grow the things without it!The text is quite understandable and the illustrations are concise and fit perfectly with the text. I do respectfully disagree with some other reviewers in that I actually found many of the black and white photos more helpful than color.If I wanted a book of pretty pictures I would buy it, or better yet attend one of the many, many orchid shows in the area.I wanted, and desperately needed hard information...with this book that is exactly what I got. I am sure there are other very good books out there on this subject, but this one certainly met my needs and I recommend it highly.Thank you Ms. Northen.

All you need to know about orchids!
If colleges offered "Orchids 101", this would be the text book!Clear, concise, easy to read and understand, this book spells out all we need to know about growing orchids.Interesting sections on sowing seeds, the culture of seedling orchids, and even the dynamics behind orchid names, make this book much more than a simple 'how-to' book.It's a complete source of all you need to know.The one book to buy first, it'll probably be the only book you need.

The best book on Orchid growing
If I were interested in looking at pictures of orchids I'd buy a book of orchid photographs but in the 20 years I have been growing orchids, my opinion is unwavering in holding this book in the highest esteem. It was myfirst book on orchid growing and was always invaluable. When I lost it Ididn't hesitate to buy it again as it has all the information one needs togrow any orchid and how to provide it with what it needs to bloom.

The "Bible".
If you're going to have one book on orchids this should be it.Vast numbers of species descriptions, beautiful color photos, and complete information on general culture as well as exhaustive details of specificcultural requirements for many varieties; AND all you'll need to know aboutorchid genetics, hybridization, and natural history!This has been astandard reference for me for the 28 years I've been growing orchids. ... Read more

Product Description

From the elegant, warmth-loving moth orchid to the perennially popular slipper orchid, Growing Windowsill Orchids tells indoor gardeners everything they need to know in order to grow these exquisite flowering plants at home. With more than thirty years of experience growing and writing about the many species of orchids, Philip Seaton shares his recommendations for choosing the best plant, looking after plants that have finished flowering, and encouraging plants to flower year after year. Step-by-step instructions demystify not only the watering and feeding process, but also repotting, composting, and keeping orchids free from pests and disease.

For those who wish to know more about the science behind orchids, this sumptuous book covers the basics of orchid biology and conservation. Written in non-technical language and copiously illustrated with line drawings and full-color photographs, Growing Windowsill Orchids is the perfect primer on everything the orchid novice needs to know to cultivate these perennial favorites in the home.

Product Description
Written in a friendly and accessible style, this guide contains keys to all the orchid genera in the region and most of the orchid species. Includes a discussion of orchid structure and ecology, plus 240 stunning color photos and over 200 line drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A quality publication but not for everyone...
Living in Costa Rica, I purchased Robert L. Dresser's: "Field Guide to the Orchids of Costa Rica and Panama" to help me to identify the orchids in the wild, in my collection and in the collections of others.

While I have in fact been able to use the book to this end, this publication doesn't give up its answers easily and I couldn't recommend it to anyone who gets frustrated easily, is intimidated by technical terminology or to anyone who has the slightest propensity for impatience.

Identifying an orchid with this book requires one to answer one to a great many questions about the plant you are trying to identify.Each answer directs you to another page and set of questions.Sometimes, there are black and white line drawings next to a set of questions to help you make your selection.Eventually, the query ends and the scientific name (though not an image) of the orchid is finally revealed.

An example is:

A. Lip ovate, longer than wide, reflexed, forming a 45 degree angle (this is followed by a series of cryptic abbreviations and measurements for things like size, habitat and colors) .............this apparently identifies this particular orchid as: Epidendrum mantis-religiosae

If this does not sound like your orchid, you are presented with option B.

B. Lip subcircular to kidney-shaped, not markedly longer than wide, not reflexed.....(at which point you are referred to another page, set of questions et. al.)

More often than not, one finds oneself flipping a great many pages unable to actually identify the plant.One proceeds through the query wondering if they actually understood the proceeding questions and if they are in fact on the right track.Many of my searches ended in failure and frustration.

Further, after all of this effort and technical analysis, there isn't the reward of a picture waiting at the end to provide a positive identification. Therefore, one ends up looking at the scientific name wondering if you have in fact identified your orchid.I found it to be rather unrewarding.

While there are in fact color plates, they represent about 1% of the orchids described in the book.

If one were a student or professor or biology or botany I would recommend this book.If one is dedicated amateur who is willing to put forth a lot of time effort towards familiarizing oneself with technical terminology I would also recommend this book.

For the amateur who hopes to identify orchids hailing from Costa Rica and Panama I would suggest looking for a user-friendlier alternative. ... Read more

Product Description

With their refined beauty and elegant flower form, moth orchids (members of the genus Phalaenopsis are the basic black of the orchid world. In fact, moth orchids are the most popular orchids in the world, accounting for a staggering 75 percent of all orchid plant sales. More than merely beautiful, they are also among the easiest orchids to grow, whether in greenhouses, on windowsills, or under artificial lights.

Professional horticulturalist and orchid expert Steven A. Frowine, author of Miniature Orchids, focuses on the new orchid stars while also providing a detailed look at the classic hybrids and species. Readers will be enticed by the book's lavish color photographs and gratified by the wealth of practical advice on selecting and buying moth orchids. Most importantly, Frowine shares his secrets on how these glorious plants can be grown to perfection, with recommendations about light levels, potting media, watering, and feeding.

Customer Reviews (5)

Beautiful and Useful Book
Great book.Full of detailed, practical andeasy to follow information on how to grow phalaenopsis. Beautiful photography makes it a wonderful coffee table book as well as a gardening reference.

Moth Orchids - The Complete Guide To Phalaenopsis
Moth Orchids: The Complete Guide to Phalaenopsis

This books is wonderful.All the information needed to successfully grow Phalaenopsis orchids is here, with lots of diagrams and very comprehensive details on every aspect of raising these wonderful plants.There are heaps of marvellous coloured photographs of all the different colour ranges available, and I mean HEAPS.I would recommend this book to anyone interested in growing these beautiful plants in their own home.If you are like me, once you've tried one you'll be hooked, and you won't be able to stop looking out for new colours and varieties.Moth Orchids: The Complete Guide to Phalaenopsis

Great book
This is a great book with a wealth of information which I haven't been able to totally cover but am looking forward to using it as one of my favorite resoucces on orchids.

Phantastic & Phabulous Phals!
This is an informative and well written book on phalaenopsis orchids.The book has exquisite photos, some from well-known phalaenopsis vendors.I consider this a must for any serious phal grower!

Important Addition to Phalaenopsis Literature
This is a well-written and very important addition to the literature about Phalaenopsis orchids.The discussion about hybridization history and trends is excellent, and the book is full of excellent pictures that accurately capture the author's key points.The organization of the book is also first-rate.

A few minor points that would have improved the book.I would have liked to have seen more detail in the culture section - perhaps the addition of an advanced culture and propagation section would have been appropriate.The index is lacking - it is simply a list of different Phalaenopsis.Including an index with subject-specific topics would have been useful.Finally, although Eric Goo and his Phoenix Orchids are prominently referenced in the text, they were omitted from the index of Sources and Suppliers.

However, in spite of these shortcomings, I still rate the book at 5 stars.Pulling all of this information together into one book and illustrating it as well as is done is invaluable.I will return to this book's pages over and over again.Phalaenopsis lovers will be thrilled to have this book available to them! ... Read more

Product Description
This is a book for adventurous gardeners with an appreciation for temperate orchid species and native wildflowers. A surprising number of terrestrial orchids are hardy, some able to withstand temperatures down to minus 50°F or minus 45.5°C. Though they have a reputation for being challenging to cultivate, in truth, most hardy orchids are no more so than a rose. This is great news for gardeners, who will enjoy filling their gardens with their enchanting fragrances, vibrant color displays, and long-lived blooms. At the center of the book is a catalog of 103 hardy and half-hardy orchids. In addition to detailing the techniques of cultivation and propagation, the book covers conservation and includes lists of suppliers and organizations offering nursery-propagated plants—an especially critical issue for species in danger of extinction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Orchid Book
While I am just a neophyte as far as Orchids are concerned I found "Growing Hardy Orchids" to be a well thought out and well planned book. I live in Northern Maine and have always been interested in my local Orchids. Thank You Mr. Tullock for your insight.Bob

very informative but...
This book is fairly inspiring and very informative but there are some respects in which it does not meet/suit my learning style.I wish that the 'catalog of hardy and half-hardy orchids', fully half of the the text of the book before the very interesting epilogue, were arranged taxonomically rather than alphabetically by genus.I would find it more useful if related genera (that may not be alphabetically nearby) were listed together.That would help me learn to classify the taxa into functional groups rather than by the spelling of their genus (recognizing microhabitat differences such as pH that some widespread genera like Cypripedium and Platanthera spread across).The relationships of the genera are listed elsewhere but a lot of back and forth flipping could have been avoided wiith a different arrangement of the list of species.

I would love to see range maps.Obviously there are too many species (never mind hybrids) to give a range map for each one, but what about a range map for each genus or set of genera, w/ gradations indicating the number of species (or genera, as appropriate) in each part of the map?I'm picturing a cloud plot which is densest where the most species occur, and diffuse where few occur (and obviously blank where none occur).

Finally, I wish the USDA hardiness zone map had zoomed in on the lower 48 so that I could actually read it.Maybe I am just unfortunate enough to be in an area that may or may not be in a striking outlier zone (if the map were bigger I could tell, and I am off to google to find a better map when I'm done writing this).Not to be too US-centric, if the map showed everything below a straight line between the northern tip of Vancouver Island and the Gaspe peninsula you would probably have sufficient info for the vast majority of your Canadian readers too.Actually the map probably wouldn't need to show much below the lower extent of the Appalachians in the east and I'm not sure what in the west to cover the areas of interest to people likely to attempt cultivating these specific orchids.

Anyway, I wish the information in the book were more targeted so I didn't feel like I have to read it cover to cover (potentially multiple times) before feeling like I had a sufficient grasp of the material.As is, digesting it in time for this spring's planting doesn't seem likely.But I'll keep looking for supplementary web pages.And maybe this is the author's/publisher's subtle way of suggesting that I shouldn't dash off to the store, buy a bunch of soil amendments and tubers and fill up the yard w/o taking more time to mull it over and plan.

fish and orchids
Mr John Tullock, the author of this tome, was interviewed today On the Jane Nugent Gardening Show on WPTT-AM 1360 Pittsburgh, PA, 12 November 2005. He gave an excellent overview of the subject of orchiculture which he delightfully integrated with his studies of pisciculture, ichthyology and ecology. The book is an excellent and accessible resource, well illustrated, for the individual who enjoys orchids for their beauty and the amateur or professional grower who enjoys the cultivation of orchids of diverse habitats. Another great offering from Timber Press. ... Read more

Product Description
One of every seven flowering plants on earth is an orchid. Interest in growing orchids has risen dramatically in recent years, and many new varieties that can be grown in the home without a greenhouse have been developed. Research biologist and full-time garden writer Judy White now brings her expertise--and her stunning photographs--to this much needed book for the expanding world of home orchid growers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Good Basic book
Good photos, good set up. Helpful. A good basic reference book for beginners or old timers.

Taylor's Guide to Orchids: More Than 300 Orchids, Photographed and Described, for Beginning to Expert Gardeners (Taylor's Garden
This is an awesome book.It has been very helpful in learning about and identifying my quickly growing collection of orchids.I'd recommend it to anyone who wants an in-depth education of these beautiful plants and how the grow them.

beginner orchidist
I originally bought this book for the descriptions of the orchids, but found a lot of basic orchid care information. I have several orchid books, and this is one of three I use the most.

Still can't identify my orchid
My girl friend left me with four orchids when she departed to take care of her sick parents.These were definitley the dregs of her 20+ collection.Surprisingly, I've been able to get two of them to bloom, but even all these pictures can't help me identify the blomming orchid.
Excellent for instructions on how to take care of the plants; however, I will have to report back later if their procedures worked for me!

A Gem of a Book
An excellent book with cultural information that goes well beyond what's in most beginner books, yet is accessible and easy to understand. The 300 gorgeous color plates, if overly saturated with color,at times, are restricted to a satisfying mix of genera, both species and hybrids. This book is compact and impossible to keep open and would benefit from a much deserved larger format. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK

A modern classic of personal journalism, The Orchid Thief is Susan Orlean’s wickedly funny, elegant, and captivating tale of an amazing obsession.

From Florida’s swamps to its courtrooms, the New Yorker writer follows one deeply eccentric and oddly attractive man’s possibly criminal pursuit of an endangered flower. Determined to clone the rare ghost orchid, Polyrrhiza lindenii, John Laroche leads Orlean on an unforgettable tour of America’s strange flower-selling subculture, along with the Seminole Indians who help him and the forces of justice who fight him. In the end, Orlean–and the reader–will have more respect for underdog determination and a powerful new definition of passion.

Praise for The Orchid Thief:

“Fascinating . . . tales of theft, hatred, greed, jealousy, madness, and backstabbing . . . an engrossing journey.”
–Los Angeles Times

“Irresistible . . . a brilliantly reported account of an illicit scheme to housebreak Florida’s wild and endangered ghost orchid . . . Its central figure is John Laroche, the ‘oddball ultimate’ of a subculture whose members are so enthralled by orchids they ‘pursue them like lovers.’ ”
–Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Artful . . . in Ms. Orlean’s skillful handling, her orchid story turns out to be distinctly ‘something more.’ . . . [Her] portrait of her sometimes sad-making orchid thief allows the reader to discover acres of opportunity where intriguing things can be found.”
–The New York Times

“Zestful . . . a swashbuckling piece of reporting that celebrates some virtues that made America great.”
–The Wall Street Journal

“Deliciously weird . . . compelling.”
–Detroit Free PressAmazon.com Review
Orchidelirium is the name the Victorians gave to the flowermadness that is for botanical collectors the equivalent of goldfever. Wealthy orchid fanatics of that era sent explorers (heavilyarmed, more to protect themselves against other orchid seekers thanagainst hostile natives or wild animals) to unmapped territories insearch of new varieties of Cattleya andPaphiopedilum. As knowledge of the family Orchidaceae grew toencompass the currently more than 60,000 species and over 100,000hybrids, orchidelirium might have been expected to go the way of Dutchtulip mania. Yet, as journalist Susan Orlean found out, there stillexists a vein of orchid madness strong enough to inspire larceny amongcollectors.

The Orchid Thief centers on south Florida and John Laroche,a quixotic, charismatic schemer once convicted of attempting to takeendangered orchids from the Fakahatchee swamp, a statepreserve. Laroche, a horticultural consultant who once ran anextensive nursery for the Seminole tribe, dreams of making a fortunefor the Seminoles and himself by cloning the rare ghost orchidPolyrrhiza lindenii. Laroche sums up the obsession that driveshim and so many others:

I really have to watch myself, especiallyaround plants. Even now, just being here, I still get that collectorfeeling. You know what I mean. I'll see something and then suddenly Iget that feeling. It's like I can't just have something--I haveto have it and learn about it and grow it and sell it and master itand have a million of it.

Customer Reviews (169)

Enjoyable Read
This is an interesting read about Orlean's experiences in Southern Florida when she went down to write a book about an unusual man named John Laroche. It is a light read--no esoteric insights here about the nature of obsession or the people who are prone to it. But it is very evocative of the swamps of S.E. America. And it's an easy way to learn some of the history of orchid hunting/poaching/stealing. Well worth a read.

Fast!
This book arrived THE NEXT DAY! Important, because my daughter had to read it for a class, and she procrastinated on the project...

I listened to this Audio CD for the wrong reasons and came out ahead
I've a weird habit of reading the books that movies are based on, just to see how they differ.I didn't like Cage & Streep's Adaptation, but the book helped me understand what the movie was really about.I.e., the screenwriter faced the hopeless task of following his instant cult classic "Being John Malkovich" with a script based on a book of minute details about orchid production and obsession.So he wrote himself into the story, placed Susan Orlean in a torrid affair with newly minted pornographer John LaRoche, and then threw LaRoche to the alligators.Such a neat way to tie up loose ends!I also didn't realize that the porno website part of the movie was a true story.

But getting back to the book, I enjoyed listening to the 5-disk audio book on its own merits.I learned that there are 80,000 varieties of orchids, plus 80,000 hybrids, and the British started the whole damn hobby.That many careers and marriages were lost to orchids.That the word orchid comes from the greek (latin?) word for testicles.That orchids take 7 years to flower from seed.That wild orchid roots wind around trees, so to steal the flowers, LaRoche cut off the tree branches they were growing around.That the Seminoles were the first tribe to build a casino on sovereign native American land.That self-confidence can be contagious.

That's about 8 more facts than I usually pick up from a book.So thank you Susan Orlean, for a great read.And I hope that screenwriter made up that stuff about your posing for LaRoche's website.

Starts off strong, but slows down a bit in the middle...
The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean was another recommendation from a friend in terms of a book I would enjoy.And overall, I did enjoy it.Little did I know that a simple flower could have such history and obsession behind it...

This is a true story that covers Orlean's trip to Florida to meet John Laroche, a strange and quirky person who figures as the criminal referenced in the title of the book.Laroche was brought to trial for removing protected plants (orchids) from the Fakahatchee swamp area in Florida, a protected piece of land.He was working with the Seminole Indian tribe at the time, as the land is located on their property.His plan was to get the orchids and start cloning them for sale by the reservation, thereby making "millions" by his estimate.But like many of his quirky plans and schemes, it never quite came to fruition.Orlean follows him around for a period of time, meeting the personalities that make up the orchid world, tramping through swamps up to her waist (and higher in places), and falling in love with the flower that has driven so many people over the years.

The story started off very strong.Her writing is humorous, and Laroche is a character that's easy to laugh at.She captures his bizarre nature and appearance perfectly, and I felt like I knew him quite well by the time the book was done.A large part of the middle portion of the book goes into the history of the orchid along with the history of the people who gave birth to the orchid industry as it is today.That's where I thought things slowed down.The style went from crazy people and interactions to history going back over decades and centuries.While I appreciated the history lessons, it was a noticeable departure from the earlier tone I had expected and enjoyed.It picked back up at the end as she was trying to finish her quest with a sighting of the ghost orchid, and the flavor of the earlier chapters once again emerged.

Overall, it was a good read.And like many good books, my view and perception of the orchid will never quite be the same.I'll appreciate it much more, and wonder what craziness brought that particular flower to that particular time and space.

The Orchid Thief
I was very pleased with both the condition of the book and it's swift arrival. I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't the original cover, showing the Ghost Orchid. ... Read more

Product Description
• Simple techniques and professional tips for growing orchids indoors.

• Up-to-date expert advice guides readers on how to water, fertilize, light and propagate orchids.

• A pictorial troubleshooting section helps homeowners diagnose any ailments their orchids might suffer. • Includes bonus in-depth information on the history of orchids so homeowners understand why orchids require certain growing conditions and care.

• Invaluable resource for both novice and experienced orchid lovers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Looking for Miracles
Mrs. Spudman loves orchids and has had many of them. The key word here is HAD. As much as she loves these delicate flowers, she does have trouble keeping them in bloom, even keeping them alive for extended periods. In an attempt to rectify the situation, we've looked at every orchid book our local library has to offer and even purchased a couple of books that looked promising. None of the books are what we consider reader friendly so the search for the right book continued, until now.

When I first saw this Miracle-Gro book on the store shelf, I almost passed it by thinking it was just a prolonged Miracle-Gro promotion. Happily I was emphatically wrong. A reader must have a keen eye to find any Miracle-Gro mention in this helpul and attractive volume. We have found this book a pleasure to read and browse and rich in orchid information. One can use this nicely laid out book exclusively on an as need basis, or read it cover to cover to immerse oneself in the world of orchids, past and present.
Complete Guide to Orchids is wonderful for someone who wants to learn as much as possible about orchids but not be overloaded with complex and arcane information.

Here's a book brimming with spectacular photographs of many orchid varieties, making it easy for a reader to identify his or her orchid at a glance. This is the best orchid book I've seen so far with clear, detailed information on selecting, potting, growing, and propagating orchids. In our case, owning this book may even save an innocent orchid's life.

Excellent and easy to understand
I've been looking for an orchid book to recommend to beginners - this is it.The illustrations are great and the narrative is clear and easy to understand - none of the "orchidese" that is found in so many orchid books.I have enjoyed reading it and looking at the illustrations even though I've grown orchids for 20 years. ... Read more

Product Description
From the producers of the bestselling Flora (Timber Press, 2003) comes the definitive reference for orchid enthusiasts, with more than 1500 orchids described in detail. Genus entries give information on natural distribution, characteristics, and cultivation; species coverage includes a description and symbols indicating the type of plant — whether terrestrial, lithophyte, or epiphyte — average height and spread, and temperature and light requirements. More than 1350 stunning photographs show specimens in close detail along with plants in their native habitats wherever possible. Introductory chapters deal with the history and taxonomy of orchids, cultivation and propagation techniques, pests and diseases, and conserving orchids in the wild. A handy reference table summarizes climate and cultivation information for each species, and the comprehensive glossary and index make the wealth of information contained in Flora's Orchids easily accessible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Super service
The book is amazing and just what I wanted and needed. It was shipped securely and I received it very quickly after ordering. Great job! I don't seem to be able to write tags for this review. Sorry.

Orchid Sales and Research
We sell orchid seedlings of all genera and species. The "Floras Orchid book is so handy when someone asks"what will it look like. We can show the parents of the seedling that they have purchased. We also import many species of orchids from around the world and,again when someone says do you have a picture? We can show a picture most of the time. The book does not have every orchid plant in it ,but it has most of the available and popular orchids. The Flora Orchid Book is very handy in a sales booth and reasonable in price.Just in case someone borrows it and forgets to return it your not out a large sum. Charles Fouquette Fouquette Enterprises

Extremely helpful
Great book very helpful and informative. An easy to understand format. I would recomend this book to anyone with an interest in orchids.

Definitive Orchid work.
A must have for any serious orchid enthusiast.Not a technical manual, but a wealth of photographic and species information.A must have. A very worthy investment, and as beautiful as any I have ever seen.

Flora's Orchids
I've been growing orchids for many years and during that time have purchased many books on the subject. "Flora's Orchids" is one of the better books. It is magnificently illustrated and informative (without being too technical). It discusses hybridisation, propagation, pests etc before starting on the main "A - Z" section.Where this book differs from most is that it also covers some of the hybrids of many genera (some well known and others may be less known).Each entry has "how to grow them" signs and at the back of the book is a Cultivation Table which I found useful as a quick reference when growing new species.

"Flora's Orchids" would be a useful book for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge on the kind of orchids they can grow, whether they are new to the hobby or a more experienced grower. ... Read more

Product Description
Here are 100 beautiful orchids that you can grow in Florida, chosen for their beauty, ease of cultivation, and suitability to Florida's climate. Helpful guide to choosing plants for old hands at growing orchids as well as beginners. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book
The book may be small in size, but it is filled with a lot of information. Easy reading, lovely photos. Gave one to another new orchid enthusiast friend. Great reference book. I highly recommend it to all orchid lovers. ... Read more

Product Description
The immense Oncidium/Odontoglossum alliance contains some of the most popular orchids grown, including members of the genera Ada, Brassia, Cyrtochilum, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Psychopsis, Rodriguezia, Rossioglossum, and Trichopilia. Finding reliable cultural information for more than just a handful of the most commonly available species, however, can be a real challenge. In this meticulously researched volume, Margaret and Charles Baker have assembled a staggering amount of data about these plants in an accessible format. By combining weather records and habitat reports with information from successful growers, the authors have formulated recommendations for approximately 1,300 species within this important group. The wealth of information provided in this book makes it an invaluable addition to the library of every serious orchidist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Orchid Species Culture Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance
A very useful book for an orchid lover! Provids a lot of information for the culture of the named orchids. No Fotos!

A must for the serious student of orchids
This book is for the serious student of orchids, whether neophyte or experienced grower. It covers 87 genera in the Oncidium/Odontoglossum alliance, and provides a wealth of cultural information, based on the genus' origin and habitat. If a grower knows the altitude, day and night temperature fluctuations, humidity, rainfall patterns, light requirements, etc., of a plant, (s)he stands a much better chance of growing (and blooming) it successfully.

In addition to providing all of this information, the book gives plant size and type, whether the plant has a stem or pseudobulb, describes the leaves, inflorescence, and flowers, including size, number of flowers per inflorescence, and whether or not they are fragrant.

There is a discussion at the beginning of Cultural Recommendations in "captivity": light, temperatures, humidity, watering requirements, fertilizer, rest periods, growing media, cultural problems, etc.

This is not a picture book. The only pictures are the eight on the dust jacket. But there is invaluable information between the covers for the person who wants to excel at growing and blooming orchids.

Stunning amount of detailed information
This bulky volume contains a stunning amount of gathered information about (micro-)climate, habitat, distribution, flowering time, sizes and colors of plant parts about virtually every Oncidium alliance botanical species that exists, updated to present taxonomical insights. A wealth of knowledge for every grower or breeder that likes to try his/her hands on some Oncidium alliance botanicals. An amazing achievement of the authors and a very valuable posession!

...an orchidist's "must have"...
...when you're of the belief that it's important to try and recreate the environment a plant came from in order to successfully grow an orchid, well, this book has it all...terribly interesting, the varied micro climates each species has...

A phenomenal achievement!
I love Baker's books on orchid species culture. It's all the information that experts are always haranguing beginners to learn about species: "Know where it comes from! Learn its preferred temperatures! Lowlands or alpine!" Alas most beginners haven't a clue where to look for this kind of information other than the same old reference books that keep reprinting the same old outdated and sometimes outright wrong stuff. Use this in conjunction with Harry Zelenko's Oncidium book for easy identification, and you're all set to grow any oncidium alliance species that might come your way. ... Read more

Product Description
Excellent, comprehensive guide—meticulously researched, clearly written and profusely illustrated—describes the characteristics and basic needs of hundreds of orchid species—from the thimble-sized Dendrobium frigidum to the large, fragrant blossoms of the Cattleya walkerana. Includes Encyclopedia of Representative Species.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Really wonderful, but...
Truly, a fine book, but I doubt it's for beginners.After a brief(30 page) culture and environment description and introduction, there's a list of the miniature orchids you can (possibly) grow...but here is the crux of the problem.The plants are described, but it seems as if the descriptions are simply being quoted from some unknown source; mostly there are no culture descriptions.Most orchids aren't all that cheap, and most growers like to do research on what they're going to buy.Temperature, humidity, resting period, etc are all important...and unless you can do a search on some of these true rarities, the money (and the search time) will be simply wasted. There's simply nothing about them other than the descriptions. ... Read more

Product Description
Curtis' Botanical Magazine is probably the finest and most important source of illustrations of orchids and early copies of this publication are now collectors' items with considerable rarity value. This beautiful volume makes available for the first time portraits and scientific details of more than 1200 orchid species, many first described in Curtis' Magazine. The scientific value of this facsimile reprint has been considerably increased by the provision of an updated botanical nomenclature including synonyms and bibliography. The illustrations are of a very high standard and represent the work of leading botanical artists including Walter Hood Fitch, Lilian Snelling and Mary Grierson. These colour plates (a total of 408) form the bulk of the book and have been printed to the very highest standard, and matched against the Basel edition of the Magazine itself. ... Read more

Product Description
From the East Texas swamps and forests to the Edwards Plateau canyons and the Trans-Pecos mountains, Texas hosts a surprising number of native orchids. Their exquisite beauty endears them to everyone from wildflower lovers to professional botanists and conservationists. This beautifully illustrated book presents all 54 wild orchids of Texas. The species descriptions that accompany Joe Liggio's lovely color photos discuss the plant's flowers, blooming season, pollinators, typical habitats, and range (also shown by map), including its distribution within and beyond Texas. The species are grouped by genus and also listed by color, county, and habitat for easy reference. In addition to the species accounts, the authors offer a general natural history of Texas orchids that discusses such topics as pollination and reproduction, special growing requirements, and threats to orchids from loss of habitats and careless collecting. They also describe the many orchid habitats in Texas and the species that grow in each. This wide variety of information, which has never before been collected in one volume for a general readership, makes this book the essential guide to Texas' wild orchids. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wild Orchids of Texas
This is a wonderful book - a beautiful reference for the wild orchids in Texas.Its arrangement makes identifying and searching for orchids as easy as possible.I particularly like the descriptions of habitats and the attention to locations.It has small maps with county designations and there is an index in the back to allow searching by county.The photographs are beautiful and are taken in their natural settings and that makes it easier to look for these orchids.Anyone with an interest in wild orchids in Texas should have this book.I highly recommend it!

You don't have to be a Biologist to use and love this book!
These authors really know their stuff!Lots of information to help your chances of actually observing these native beauties in the wild.Conservation is a repeated theme throughout.Texans will be blown away by the incredible photos!I love mine.

Wild Orchids of Texas by Joe Liggio & Ann Orto Liggio
This book is clearly a labor of love on the part of the authors, and is one that should be very useful to nature lovers in general, and both amateur and professional orchidologists.The photography is excellent,giving a feel for both the habitat and individual plants and flowers. There is only one very rare species that is not pictured.The index iswell done and quite useable.The authors have done a superb job ofpromoting the cause of orchid conservation -- including such things as"How to Save Our Native Orchids: What You Can Do" on page 5. They have a good general discussion of orchid life cycles, their habitats,mycorhizal associations and pollenators.For those not familiar with Texasthe inclusion of a vegetation map and a short description of each majorvegetation type is very useful.Orchids are listed by: 1) flower colour,2) by vegetation/habitat types, and finally species distributions by countyare given.One orchid Habenaria quinqueseta does not have a distributionmap, but since it was collected over 150 years ago, we shouldn't be tooconcerned.The only real lack that I have found is that there is no key tothe genera and species given.This is an excellent book that every seriousorchid species enthusiast should have in their book collection -- if onlyfor the wonderful photography.

Brings the wild orchids of Texas to you
The authors, a husband-wife team, combine their specialties to create an exciting experience for the reader. Joe is a biologist and photographer, and Ann is a writer. They have crafted a beautifully executed book. The writing is excellent; the photography is exquisite; the organization is wonderful; and the information is easily digestible for the lay person. The authors have spent years chasing down these delightful and beautiful orchids and now bring their beauty to you. The University of Texas Press has created a book of high quality and beauty with great color photographs. Fifty-four types of orchids are discussed and described in their natural habitats. Each of the regional sections are described and orchids living in each listed. Orchids are listed by flower color, genus and species, and scientific names. One appendix lists species distribution by county. The list of references and index add great value to the book. ... Read more

Product Description
The third edition of this definitive handbook of orchid cultivationincludes major revisions in both text and illustrations. It adds 24pages of color photographs--bringing the total number of speciesillustrated to 864--and 62 line drawings. The sections on taxonomy havebeen substantially expanded to include updated treatments of orchidbiology, diversity, and classification, and descriptions of 140 generaand more than twice that number of species have been added. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Quite a tome
A great book for the serious orchidist.As another review said, photographs are not always of the best quality, but are comprehensive in their coverage of some of of the more unusual species. A plethora of taxonomic information for those so inclined, and guidance on the growing environment for the species. If you are a looking for a glossier book on orchid species, with less technical information, and more colorful pictures, then I suggest Alec Pridgeon's also excellent book instead of(or in addition to) this one.

Good reference and very useful for identifying the plants
My favorite book beside The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids by Alec Pridgeon,I recommend it highly for anyone who loves orchid species.

If you grow orchid species, you must own this book.
As complete a reference as you can own in one cover, this book has it all. Cultural medium requirements, temperature, light - everything you need to know for the most species coverage. Most of the color plates are highquality, some not so good. ... Read more

Product Description
• A complete, up-to-date resource on the best and most easily grown orchid species, hybrids, and cultivars readily available in North America.

• Inspires gardeners to have confidence to grow these elegant plants successfully.

• Step-by-step instructions show how to select, pot, stake, and care for orchids.

• Expert advice to ensure healthy orchids by controlling light, temperature, humidity, pests, and diseases.

• Invaluable resource for both novice and experienced orchid lovers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Complete Guide to Orchids
Wonderful book - beautiful pictures and very helpful for a new comer to the Orchid world!

Complete Guide To Orchids
As an orchid grower in Puerto Rico, I had books with valuable information about them. After almost eight years, I am beginning to grow orchids again, now in Florida. I needed to learn and review my knowledge of these unique flowers. The book has proven to be more than useful, full of beautiful pictures. I even found pictures of orchids I have bought without knowing they were so important. I am more than pleased with the book!!!

Orchids
Well written book on Orchids that makes a wonderful gift for the Orchid lover in your life. Transaction was A+++++.

Best orchid book
This is my very favored book about orchids. Written smartly, containing most important information about all aspects of cultivating orchids at home.The photos show plant and flowers.
I bought this book for myself and my daughter and we both agree that this is the best orchid book we found.

Another Very Helpful Ortho Book!!
I originally borrowed this book from the library and found so many helpful bits of info that I had to buy it for myself for future reference.It just seems that I can't go wrong if I buy Ortho books.I highly recommend it for Orchid lover beginners - there's just so much very needed and useful info when it comes to orchids. ... Read more