I was looking for a book that listed a lot of orchids, and I found it! But I also wasn’t looking for just an encyclopedia-type of book. I got the best of both with this one. As a beginner, I was incredibly happy to see photographs with captions and leader lines pointing to the basics: psuedobulbs, rhizomes, old growth, etc. There is even a photo of a pseudobulb cut in half to show what they look like inside.

I like the structure of the book because it has a separate area for each element. For example, there is a whole chapter about humidity and air movement, and the chapter explains why it’s important, how to achieve it properly, etc. This chapter does not just focus on how to achieve proper air and humidity in greenhouses, but also tells you how to work these things out in cases, windowsills, etc.

The chapter about potting is amazing—page after page of color photographs showing the different kinds of mediums. There are also excellent step-by-step instructions (photos included) of how to split a plant that has outgrown its pot. The chapter about pests and diseases is also particularly useful because it contains many photographs of problems and a special “Troubleshooting Guide” that lists symptoms and explanations (failure to bloom, bud blasting).

This book was the most useful of all in helping me actually choose a plant because the “Common Orchid Genera from A to Z” section labeled each plant as “Beginner, Experienced, Expert.” I knew to pass right away on something that was going to be too hard for me. It also showed whether or not the plant should be grown “At a window, Under Lights, In a Greenhouse.” I folded down the corner of the page where there were orchids I was interested in and went to the greenhouse with my list.

The endmatter is very helpful as well with a full glossary and a section about orchid shows, amongst other goodies. I enjoyed this book because it was easy enough for me to understand as a beginner, but I could tell that seasoned growers would find it useful as well. I feel it is a book I can “grow into.”

Beginners: Great resource, a little expensive (look for it on amazon or another discount seller), will show you many different types of flowers to choose from to help you pick the right one.

Seasoned: I think you will enjoy this book, too. There is a giant table of “Hybrid Genera” that you will understand far better than I.