Is OrchidWiz useful for learning about species?

[chris_todd]

Or is OrchidWiz primarily targeted at researching hybrids?

I ask because, being new to orchids, I get overwhelmed by the sheer number and diversity of orchid species, and the hybrids just make my head spin.

My learning journey has so far lead me to focus on a few genera, and to only concentrate on the species within those genera, and ignore the hybrids (at least for now). While I have found some good information online, and I have obtained two good books (Koopowitz's "Tropical Slipper Orchids" and Isobyl la Croix's "New Encyclopedia of Orchids"), I am not always finding all the information I would like, particularly regarding the native habitat of a particular species (e.g., geographical distribution, annual rainfall, seasonal temperatures and humidity, growing habits, microclimate, etc.).

For those of you also into carnivorous plants, essentially what I am looking for is something like the orchid equivalent of Stewart McPherson's books ("Pitcher plants of the Old World" and "Pitcher plants of the Americas").

So I'm wondering whether OrchidWiz might provide me the info I'm looking for (or, at least, more info than I'm getting from the books I read). I cannot tell from the OrchidWiz website exactly what info is provided for a typical species, and it does not appear that I can download a trial version to see for myself. Anyone who can help me figure out whether OrchidWiz provides the features I desire would have my gratitude.

[Connie Star]

I'm wondering the same thing- Orchid Wiz is awfully expensive. I have an eclectic beginners mix of species and hybrids.

[camille1585]

I personally think that Orchidwiz is excellent when it comes to species plants. For each species you have info on the plant, and then growing information. I'll detail what's in each:

Species info:
*A top bar with info with regards to the name: accepted name and alternative names, prononciation, origin, subfamily, tribe, subtribe, subgenus, greenpod harvest.
*Origin/habitat
* Flowers (extremely detailed description of blooms)
*Inflorescence (size, shape, characteristics)
*Leaves (same as above)
*Pseudobulbs (if applicable - same as above)
*Plant size
*Geographical distribution (countries it's found in)
*recorded plant blooming times

Cultivation info:
Detailed info on:
*Light
*Temperature
*Humidity
*Fertilizer
*Rest
*Media
*Misc. facts
*Graphs with number of clear days/temperature/humidity/precipitation per month, in it's natural environment

For hybrids, there's not much on culture, but you can look up family trees, the species that compose it, awards, crosses....

If you would like, I can send you some screen shots of all this. Just PM me with your email address. I had prepared some screen shots for someone else needing culture requirements for a species, so I can send you the same thing.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Be aware that sometimes, certain species will have insufficient information no matter where you look. It's up to you to really dig through the pile of hay for that needle, so to speak.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Be aware that sometimes, certain species will have insufficient information no matter where you look. It's up to you to really dig through the pile of hay for that needle, so to speak.

True, but after intensive use of Orchidwiz in the year or so I've had it, it seems quite rare to not find information on a species. Pretty much all of the readily available/cultivated species have a lot of information. The only times I've hit a dead end is with the rarer less grown/known species, and usually there's no information for those on internet either.

[harrywitmore]

IMO I would just use the resources available on the web for free. I think IOSPE is an excellent resource and I use it all the time (They do take donations). But, I have never owned OrchidWiz so I really can't speak to it. I have no interest in hybrids so that part of it would be no use to me.

[slipperfreak]

OrchidWiz is great for all the reasons Camille mentioned. It also has awards data on all the species and hybrids. Habitat data are from Charles Baker, so it's pretty reliable info. The program is well worth the cost.

[quiltergal]

I agree OrchidWiz is awesome for hybrids and species. Barkers information on species is super. There isn't a day when OW isn't opened at least once to look for something. You can also journal and keep track of all your own plants.

[Brotherly Monkey]

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

OrchidWiz is great for all the reasons Camille mentioned. It also has awards data on all the species and hybrids. Habitat data are from Charles Baker, so it's pretty reliable info. The program is well worth the cost.

How much additional data do you think it provides, compared to the culture sheets the bakers sell?

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by Brotherly Monkey

How much additional data do you think it provides, compared to the culture sheets the bakers sell?

I haven't read the Baker sheets, so I can't say for sure. But, I would guess that it is the same information. The prices I have seen for individual volumes with Baker's data are atrocious though; I think OrchidWiz is a better value.