I saw this book at Borders as a bargain book for $5.99. I was immediately suspicious. Why was it so cheap? Was it a crappy book? But since it was inexpensive, I went for it. I’m so glad I did!

By far, this is the best orchid book I have. But writing out these sections of the book doesn’t really show you the tip of the iceberg because this book is truly loaded with information. There are sections in the beginning about the history of orchid collecting which were fascinating, photographs of many many different types of roots, leaves, and a wonderful section about how to display orchids in the home. I particularly enjoyed this section because it showed orchids in pretty pots, not just sitting around in plastic pots that came from the greenhouse (which is what they are doing in my house right now). It shows you how to display the flowering orchids so that you can enjoy their beauty in your home. (Although I’m not sure how realistic their displays are because I am a beginner.)

What I like the most about this book is that there are photographs to explain just about everything, even watering with a watering can. There is a photo of a hollow pseudobulb cut in half to show that it is empty in the middle (what???) and what healthy pseudobulbs and canes look like.

I can’t talk enough about how much I enjoy this book. I haven’t read all of it because there is so much to read. As a beginner, I can find answers to many of my questions. There is a “Calendar of Care” to tell me what to look for throughout the year and an extremely helpful section about repotting, dividing, growing in baskets, or growing on bark. Overall, this book is fantastic and the photos are endless.

Beginners: I highly recommend this for any beginner—you’ll find so much interesting information and helpful tips. Softcover, so not very expensive (especially if you find it at the bargain section). Large section in the back to help you pick a plant.

Seasoned: There is a large section on raising orchids from seeds and potting up seedlings. I think you will enjoy this book because it is a wealth of information for everyone.