Here's a few ratings and brief reviews of most of my orchid books. The ratings and notes are based on my personal interest in compiling a list of epiphytic species orchids to grow outdoors year around in nearly frost free climates. Many of the books that didn't rate very high for my purposes would probably be useful for other orchid enthusiasts. If you know of any other books with detailed distribution, elevation range and/or minimum temperature requirements of orchids please let me know!
Botanica's Orchids: Over 1200 Species
Author: Botanica Editors
ISBN: 1571457216
Pages: 608
Date: 2002
Price: $24.95
Species: 1200
Rating: Very good
Notes: Lists zone information for each species as well as temperature requirements… cool, intermediate, warm. Notes minimum cool down to 45F (7C). No easy reference chart.
Flora's Orchids
Author: Isobyl LaCroix
ISBN: 088192721X
Pages: 368
Date: 2005
Price: $41.97
Species: 1500
Rating: Excellent
Notes: Displays whether each species is an epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial and lists temperature requirements… cool, intermediate warm. Interestingly it notes the minimum for the cool temperature down to 39F (4C) which is the coldest minimum temperature I've seen listed for the cool range. Based on orchids that I’ve grown I think it’s a more accurate minimum temperature. Very nice reference chart.
Growing Orchids in Your Garden
Author: Robert G. M. Friend
ISBN: 0881926590
Pages: 220
Date: 2004
Price: $21.86
Species: 500
Rating: Good
Notes: Organized by epiphytes, lithophytes and terrestrials. Includes easy reference chart and basic regional info… Temperate (> 37 degrees latitude) Cooler (between 30 degrees and 37 degrees latitude), Subtropical (Tropic of Capricorn/Cancer to 30 degrees latitude) and Tropical (between Tropic of Capricorn and Cancer).
Native Orchids of Australia
Author: David L. Jones
ISBN: 999517572X
Pages: 480
Date: 1988
Price: $75
Species: 1300
Rating: Excellent
Notes: Organized by terrestrials and epiphytes. Includes elevation range and distribution by state. Also includes some temperature tolerance information for the Genus… whether it should grow in a greenhouse, bushhouse (shade house) or outdoors in frost free locations.
Native Orchids of China in Colour
Author: Singchi Chen
ISBN: 7030069633
Pages: 416
Date: 2007
Price: $85
Species: 403
Rating: Excellent
Notes: Lists whether the species is an epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial and includes elevation range and distribution by province. Map of China included in front and back of the book.
Orchid Species Culture: Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance
Author: Charles O. Baker
ISBN: 0881927759
Pages: 992
Date: 2006
Price: $55.97
Species: 1300
Rating: Very excellent
Notes: Precise distribution and climate information. Their Dendrobium book is impossible to find for less than $500 and I have no idea why Timber Press doesn't reprint it. Also, not sure why they haven't published an Orchid Species Culture: Cattleya Alliance book as Mr. Baker already has most of the data. If you'd love to have more of Mr. Baker's books
give Timber Press a call and let them know that you are interested in buying more books from Mr. Baker.
Orchids for the South
Author: Jack Kramer
ISBN: 0878338578
Pages: 176
Date: 1994
Price: $29.95
Species: 200
Rating: Poor
Notes: Only lists one epiphytic orchid (Rhyncostylis) in its outdoor growing section.
Orchids of Mexico
Author: Hagsater, Eric
ISBN: 968788908X
Pages: 304
Date: 2006
Price: $129.95
Species: 1200
Rating: Very good
Notes: Beautiful coffee table book but organization is a little difficult. Instead of alphabetically listing the species it lists the species by climate type..ie "Savannahs and Forests of Pinus oocarpa and P. caribaea". Except, it doesn't provide an easy to use list it just names the species in the text. Unfortunately some climate types are distributed throughout the country so it will be difficult to discern latitude and elevation to predict minimum temperatures.
Outdoor Growing Orchids for the Greater Los Angeles Area
Author: Southern California Horticultural Society of Los Angeles
ISBN: 0963811819
Pages: 28
Date: 1997
Price: $6
Species: 250
Rating: Good
Notes: Distribution by country, epiphytic or terrestrial, star system for ease of cultivation
Southern African Epiphytic Orchids
Author: Ball, J.S
ISBN: 0868750018
Pages: 247
Date: 1978
Price: $175
Species: 114
Rating: Excellent
Notes: Out of my collection the only book with an actual distribution map with latitudinal lines. Also lists orchids by region. Missing some elevation data though.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids
Author: Alec Pridgeon
ISBN: 0881928011
Pages: 304
Date: 2006
Price: $19.77
Species: 1100
Rating: Poor
Notes: Doesn't note whether the species is epiphytic or terrestrial, rarely mentions minimum temperatures or elevation information. No easy reference chart.