This small, simple book is an excellent choice for beginners, especially if they want to grow a phalaenopsis as their first plant. Jaworski gives a brief introduction about how he got into orchids and then goes on to explain his experience with phals and why they make the best choice for a beginner. This particular chapter was interesting, but since I was not interested in growing a phal, I was a little disheartened that he was so insistent. They are lovely, and I’m sure I will eventually add one to my collection, but I would have preferred to see the chapter devoted to multiple types of beginner flowers.

The next few chapters discuss ordering plants by mail and where to grow them. There are photographs of what orchids look like when they come via mail, which were very helpful and interesting. The discussion of where to grown them includes windowsills and greenhouses, with most of the focus on the greenhouses. Finally, we have two chapters about potting and growing orchids outside. There is a full page of potting mediums with photos and a very useful set of photos of pests on plants.

After a chapter devoted to the different types and their care, we have a chapter about propagation and a chapter about orchids in the wild. There are some very useful indices at the back (which is where I found the greenhouse where I bought my orchids).

Overall, this is a happy, simple book, but after reading two or three other books, I realize its shortcomings. It does place a lot of importance on the phals and the section about the different types of orchids is quite small. That being said, I still go back to this book often to look at the gorgeous pictures catch small tidbits of information that I have missed before. The chapter on propagation techniques has wonderful photos of how to split a plant, along with detailed instructions for those who want to really take the plunge and grow seeds.

My overall problem with the book as a beginner was that I wanted more more more. I wanted to know more about growing plants without a greenhouse. Since the book has “simplified” in the title, I was looking for more of a “dummies” type book that would really hold my hand through the process. But the book has been incredibly useful and has led to me buying more and more books about orchids. It stirred up a love for the plants that I did not have before.

Beginners: Good book, softcover so not as expensive as other orchid books, especially useful if you want to grow phals

Seasoned: You might want to pass because you most likely already know everything in here.