Suggestions for orchid books beyond "Beginner"

[OrchidThief79]

Hi. I'm posting this in the "advanced" forum because I'm looking for books or other reading material on orchid culture that cover more advanced techniques and information. It seems that the most popular orchid books are mostly introduction/beginner-type books, and I was wondering if anyone could suggest something a little more in-depth.

Some of the topics I have in mind are:
1) tips/techniques for getting the biggest/best blooms
2) orchid grooming techniques, staking, etc
3) discussions on plant nutrients, fertilizers

Orchid societies and other growers are probably the best source for this type of information, but I'm kind of a geek and learn best by reading.

Thanks!

[camille1585]

If you have a look in the book reviews section (in the menu on the left of the screen), you should find plenty of ideas. One of the books that I really enjoy is "Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World's Most Exotic Plants" by William Cullina.

What I like about it is that it's a book you can grow with, meaning it covers the basics, as well as some of the more advanced stuff you are looking for. It also has information and photos on some 300 different orchids. Type in the title in google books, you'll be able to preview large portions of the book to see if that's what you're looking for. There are other books out there, but this is my favorite!

[OrchidThief79]

Thanks Camille! I use an iPhone app to view this forum and the screen is different than a web browser so I didn't know there was a books section.

[Discus]

A while back, in a fit of extreme orchid geek-dom, I bought a copy of Orchid Seed Germination Media from Aaron Hicks at the Orchid Seedbank Project - I recall it having a very comprehensive section on plant nutrition in it, and although obviously biased towards flask culture, what a plant needs is what a plant needs. Oh, I put a review of it up over at LibraryThing.

Although I have quite a few books about Orchids, I don't feel any of the others really address the topics you talk about - a quick google query or a question on OrchidBoard is more likely to yield answers, particularly if you want them in relation to a particular species.

I feel some of those topics are too "personal" to be effectively taught by a book; handling plants beyond basics (i.e. don't stake when it's cold, the spikes snap...) it's a very touchy-feely experience thing, best taught in person through an experienced fellow orchid-geek or through your own personal hands-on experience.

Also, getting the best out of your particular orchids depends very much on your own orchid growing conditions; there isn't a guaranteed formula you can follow to win with all of them (as far as I know... if there is, someone will make a lot of money)!

It's worth owning the AOS Orchid pests and diseases book, I feel, although if you're already paranoid about your Orchildren, it'll probably give you what-if.... nightmares.

Hope this helps

[Eyebabe]

I would be very interested in a book that talks about staking. If you find one please share the name of the resource....as will I

[Discus]

If you need some quick tips on staking, have a look at:

How to Stake Blooming Orchids - For Dummies
Demonstration of Orchid Staking
Grooming Orchids for Awards & Grooming Orchids for Awards

Google will reveal a bunch more

In your search for a book that covers staking, have a look at this.

[DavidCampen]

This is a very nice series. Volumes I - V are available used for about $10 each. There are several more recent volumes but those are multi-hundreds of dollars each.
I have ordered volumes I-V via Amazon and have received volumes I and II.

The editor of all volumes is Joseph Arditti.

Volume I, published in 1977, contains the following papers:
1) A Personal View of Orchids
2) Fossil History of Orchidaceae
3) Orchids in Rumphius' Herbarium Amboinense
4) The Distribution and Chemistry of Alkaloids in the Orchidaceae
5) Anthocyanins of the Orchidaceae: Distribution, Heridity, Functions, Synthesis, and Localization
6) Vitamin Requirements and Metabolism in Orchids
7) Variations in Clonal Propagation
Appendix) Clonal Propagation of Orchids by Means of Tissue Culture - A Manual

[Paul Mc]

Wow David, sounds extremely technical. While I'm interested, how easy is it for the lay person to read and comprehend?

[DavidCampen]

Papers 4, 5 and 6 would likely put most people to sleep. The others are of general interest.

[tucker85]

I have a lot of orchid books and very few of them cover the information that you're interested in. I think authors stay away from culture issues because it can be so subjective. It can depend on the micro-environment that the grower has in his or her home. For general information it's hard to beat 'Understanding Orchids' by William Cullina. For everything you ever wanted to know about phalaenopsis culture get 'Culture of the Phalaenopsis Orchid' by Bob Gordon. I don't believe it's still in print but you can get used copies at Amazon. I also like 'Moth Orchids' by Steven Frowine but it only has a little bit about culture. It's mostly about the breeding history of phals.. If your into Paphiopedilums then 'Tropical Slipper Orchids' by Harold Koopowitz is good. Again, it doesn't have a lot about culture. It's mostly the history of breeding. There's also a four part series on-line called 'Growing the Best Phaleanopsis'. Part II has most of the best information.

http://www.hrt.msu.edu/faculty/Runkl...sis_Part_1.pdf

https://sharepoint.agriculture.purdu...20Part%202.pdf