Best Website(s) for Orchid Care and Info

[HiOrcDen]

I have found that the American Orchid Society website is extremely informative about Orchids, and goes somewhat into their care as well.

I would like to find one or more websites that delve into all aspects of the care of Orchids. I realized I need to find websites like this, because I have Orchids to repot. I don't want to ask about every little thing I do here on the forum, and I do not want to google for each thing I need to do, as I'd like a single (or a couple/few) authoritative source for Orchid care.

Apologies as I may have already asked something like this in another thread, but couldn't find it.

Any recommended websites would be greatly appreciated!

[Roberta]

You are not likely to find a single website that will give you all the info that you seek. Especially growing in coastal southern California, practically everything that you find is going to need further investigation - our climate is pretty unique. My website will tell you a lot about what will grow outside, but impossible to cover the rest of the cultural parameters. For a really good reference that is full of the "whys" and addresses regional differences and the details for the different types, I suggest that you put your hands on The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and their Culture from the AOS. I have been growing orchids for a long time, and I found plenty in it to learn from.

[Keysguy]

Mine is IOSPE.
Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia

Gives scientific description of every species as well as excellent detail of where the plant occurs in nature, light & temp requirements, fragrance and blooming season.

My other go-to site is the St. Augustine OS website. Especially good for pest & disease control.
http://https://staugorchidsociety.org/

With a little experience it's all the info you need to successfully grow any orchid.

[Ray]

As has been stated, both IOSPE and Sue Bottom’s stuff at the StAugOS website are excellent, as are the Baker Culture Sheets.

I don’t think there is a “best” site, because the published articles are all based upon the authors’ experience and observations, which are dependent upon their specific growing conditions. The AOS culture guides for various genera, for example, were first written by growers in the northeast who grew almost exclusively in greenhouses.

My own website contains over 200 articles (some published by the AOS at their request, and many local society newsletters around the world) in which I try to explain as much of “why” as I can, in addition to the “what you should do”, so the individual can better understand how to reach the cultural “goal” under his or her conditions and personal habits, rather than following the “do this” without understanding why it may or may not work for them. Even with the logic built in, what I am successful with does not guarantee that everyone will be, due to different conditions and interpretation of facts.

A good example of that is Sue Bottom’s “diseases” info, which includes a segment on fusarium. It simply states that some infected plants can display a “purple ring” in the rhizome, but courtesy of a YouTuber who wanted to look knowledgeable, the “fusarium purple ring” spread like wildfire with many people misdiagnosing normal pigmentation as being the disease, causing them to worry unnecessarily and in some cases to throw away perfectly healthy plants.

The bottom line in my book is to access as much info as you can, think about the “why” as much as “what”, and be observant of your plants.

[isurus79]

In addition to the above mentioned sources, there is a TON of really great cultural info here on OB. The search function here on this site can lead you to some really insightful threads.

I know it's not a website, but I'll also say that your local orchid society will have great insight as well. Those folks will have information about growing conditions that are relevant to your local area.

[Keysguy]

information about growing conditions that are relevant to your local area.

Which, in the end, is really what matters!

[tmoney]

if you're here, you've found the best site!!!!

[Dimples]

Finding a single authoritative source for a topic is typically not going to produce the best end results. Best case, you reproduce the results but if something goes wrong you’re now in a position where you must scramble to quickly find a fix. This is when people tend to make unfortunate and otherwise avoidable mistakes. Reading, considering, and finally applying relevant information from multiple reliable sources based on your growing conditions and goals will give you the best chance of success.

And please don’t feel like you’d be inconveniencing/annoying/bothering anybody by asking lots of questions. It’s good to have some general background knowledge but there’s only so much that can be learned by reading informational sources. The cumulative years of growing experience from the members here is an enormous number and that’s a valuable resource. If people don’t want to answer, don’t know the answer, or don’t have time to answer, they simply won’t respond. So, ask!

[Clawhammer]

Other resources not yet mentioned:
Travaldo's blog
Old OrchidWeb listings

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

Other resources not yet mentioned:
Travaldo's blog
Old OrchidWeb listings

oh yeah, how could i forget travaldos? its for sure my first stop, but only like i've mentioned because a lot of times its the first google hit. but i like that their info is easy for my puny brain to understand

edit, to provide a real opinion, like others have said i have found that for specialist info you can dig and find great resources, but a good catch-all seems tricky to find. but here is the best, honestly.