Books for beginners

[hollylee]

What are your favorite? And what is good about them?

[Ray]

I think the Ortho Complete Guide to Orchids is one of the best "bang for the buck" choices. I've been growing for over 35 years, and I still check it periodically.

It includes over 200 pages of orchid history, botany, how to buy orchids, setting up growing environments, orchid care and troubleshooting, plus a listing of many popular plants with origin and cultural information.

(I also carry it at a price better than you'll likely find anywhere else - and no, that isn't why I'm promoting it. I sell stuff I endorse, not endorse stuff I sell.)

[Dorothy]

There are quite a few past threads on recommended books besides the Book Reviews section -
Book Reviews - http://www.orchidboard.com/bookreview
Past Threads -
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...t-orchids.html
Ebook called "Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide to Orchid Care"
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chid-book.html
Flora's Orchids
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...d-library.html
Book list
Gives you something to read as you wait for others to respond

[camille1585]

My personal favorite is Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World's Most Exotic Plants. It's mentioned in the book reviews Dorothy gave you the link too.

What I like is that it explains all the basic stuff, but also takes your orchid growing to a whole new level. There's info for windowsill growers, under light growers, greenhouse growers... Plus many different orchids are described in depth, which is good when you're starting out with a new genus. I love it!
The book Ray suggests is very good too. I don't have it, but have flipped through it before, and is definately something I plan on buying soon.

[Brooke]

I agree with Camille - if I was forced to have only one book it would be Understanding Orchids.

The author, William Cullina, has grown orchids in every manner, from windowsill to greenhouse and can tell you which ones do best where, why he could or couldn't grow them in the situation. It certainly helps to know that the orchid you prize will absolutely not grow in the situation you have.

The book covers many different speices. It is the first book I grab if I am having a problem with something and need a quick answer.

Thankfully no one is brave enough to tell me I can only have one :>)

Brooke

[SP2340]

I bought "Growing Orchids Is Fun" at Home Depot for like $8. It's pretty good but it doesn't tell you a few things like sterilizing tools first and watering Vandas daily.

I've watched some clips on YouTube about "orchid care." There's some good advice there.