The Orchid Garden

Orchid instruction book

Question:

I just inherited several orchids from my aunt.  I am really new at this, but I’m willing to give it a try.  I live in South Florida.  Can anyone E-mail me and tell me the best light and watering conditions in general for orchids. Also, can any one recommend me a good book on orchid identification and care? Thanks for the help, Sheri

Response:

Sheri, Home Orchid Growing by Rebecca Tyson Northen is a staple.  It is available, I believe, at OFE in Miami (305-253-7080), if not a local bookstore. In the mean time, you can visit our site at the URL below, and get the AOS culture sheets. If you have problems, let me know and I’ll e-mail them to you. — Ray Barkalow – First Rays Orchids   On-line List and Order Form:     http://www.firstrays.com

Response:

The best beginner’s book I’ve found, and I still find myself referring to it, is an Ortho paperback called "All About Growing Orchids," available at Home Depot or the equivalent for about $5.  Northen’s book is also great but I think it may be a bit much in the beginning for a lot of people. Kenni

Response:

  While the Ortho book is pretty good for a start, I would go along with Ray and suggest giving some serious thought to Rebecca T. Northen’s book as it not only has information on growing orchids, but also covers almost every type of orchid anyone would ever buy.  This is a book that will last a lifetime of growing orchids, I find myself still referring to it to refresh my fading memory after growing orchids for over 25 years.   This book is not cheap though, but as the saying goes: "You usually get what you pay for".  I believe most places sell it for between $45 to $50. In addition to this book, you might consider another one written by Phillip Cribb and Christopher Bailes titled "Hardy Orchids, Orchids for the Garden and Frost-Free Greenhouse" which goes for around $50.  One other to consider is "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids" by Alec Pridgeon for about $40.   If you cannot find these in your local library or bookstores, you might try contacting either the American Orchid Society bookstore (on the internet at:  http://orchidweb.org) or Timber Press, Inc. (net: http://www.timber-press.com). Hope some of this helps, Jim Kawasaki

Response:

Thanks for the recommendation. "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids" is currently out of stock at Timber Press but a shipment will arrive 4/15/97. http://www.timber-press.com/cgi-local/store.cgi?page=il/illencor.html… 50415.6004 "Hardy Orchids" is available. http://www.timber-press.com/cgi-local/store.cgi?page=h/harorc.html&ca… 05.6187 Best Regards, Ann Anderson Timber Press, Inc.                  http://www.timber-press.com 133 S.W. 2nd Ave. #450               800.327.5680/503.227.2878 Portland, OR 97204 USA                   fax 503.227.3070 USDA Zone 8, Sunset Zone 6 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   While the Ortho book is pretty good for a start, I would go along with Ray and suggest giving some serious thought to Rebecca T. Northen’s book as it not only has information on growing orchids, but also covers almost every type of orchid anyone would ever buy.  This is a book that will last a lifetime of growing orchids, I find myself still referring to it to refresh my fading memory after growing orchids for over 25 years.   This book is not cheap though, but as the saying goes: "You usually get what you pay for".  I believe most places sell it for between $45 to $50. In addition to this book, you might consider another one written by Phillip Cribb and Christopher Bailes titled "Hardy Orchids, Orchids for the Garden and Frost-Free Greenhouse" which goes for around $50.  One other to consider is "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids" by Alec Pridgeon for about $40.   If you cannot find these in your local library or bookstores, you might try contacting either the American Orchid Society bookstore (on the internet at:  http://orchidweb.org) or Timber Press, Inc. (net: http://www.timber-press.com). Hope some of this helps, Jim Kawasaki

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   While the Ortho book is pretty good for a start, I would go along with Ray and suggest giving some serious thought to Rebecca T. Northen’s book as it not only has information on growing orchids, but also covers almost every type of orchid anyone would ever buy.  This is a book that will last a lifetime of growing orchids, I find myself still referring to it to refresh my fading memory after growing orchids for over 25 years.   This book is not cheap though, but as the saying goes: "You usually get what you pay for".  I believe most places sell it for between $45 to $50. In addition to this book, you might consider another one written by Phillip Cribb and Christopher Bailes titled "Hardy Orchids, Orchids for the Garden and Frost-Free Greenhouse" which goes for around $50.  One other to consider is "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids" by Alec Pridgeon for about $40.   If you cannot find these in your local library or bookstores, you might try contacting either the American Orchid Society bookstore (on the internet at:  http://orchidweb.org) or Timber Press, Inc. (net: http://www.timber-press.com). Hope some of this helps, Jim Kawasaki

We offer all of above at our normal 20% discount. Robert J. Goebel BOTANA Orchid Books & Art                         http://www.execpc.com/~botana/orchids.html 1-800-723-8502

Response:

Filed under: Growing Orchids

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