100%beginner

[cult101]

hello all
Im new and just wanted to know what i have to deside on before buying a book.Im an aussie so any aussies out there know good online shops pm me

[Bolero]

Sorry, you want a book or you want to buy an orchid? Let me know where you are and I will try and help.

I live in Geelong.

[cult101]

what i ment to say was Would it be better to pick a type of orchid before geting a book?
I like the look of these types and how do i start of?

[Undergrounder]

Hi cult the big purpley one is a Cattleya of some description, the little one is a Phragmipedium.

For a beginner's orchid you can't go wrong with a Cattleya like that, they're generally pretty forgiving as long as you give them plenty of drainage.

You can start off by hunting down a local society's display, they always have plants for sale at a table. You can get info on society shows in the Australian Orchid Review, available in most newsagents, or from Australian Orchid Council Inc. - Orchids Australia Magazine. Otherwise ring up a nursery and give them a visit. Some good orchid nurseries in Victoria are:

Australian Orchid Nursery - Home
mt beenak orchids - cool growing orchids, growing, flowers

The best orchid book for detailed information on as many species as possible is Flora's Orchids. You can usually pick it up in the bargain stand of a bookshop for $20 - $30. It's a must-have.

Growing Australian Orchids is a good one for Aussie natives. The best Encyclopaedic type is A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia

Orchids for Everyone is a slightly older English book that you can also get in bargain bins, it has lots of detailed and interesting information, especially about looking after larger collections.

Easy Orchids is a good one for an easy, basic introduction, particularly focusing on indoor plants and small collections.

[weng]

You can hardly go wrong with a Phragmipedium either. It has a high temperature tolerance. Just give it plenty of water!

Weng

[kiki-do]

Hello Cult 101,
If you want to get the orchid and shop around for a book later on, you can get a culture sheet for the care of the type orchid you purchased. If they don't have one where you purchased it, you can find them online.
That might help get you started. I'm a huge fan of "Growing Orchids for Whimps" as it is an easy step by step book on how to care for your orchids. It covers the basics for the most common orchid types and very easy to understand. I have several books, but always refer back to that one. It's online sometimes for as low as $7.00 used.
Hope I've been helpful to you. Welcome and happy orchid growing!
kiki-do

[Lagoon]

Bonjour

Lighting and space with tempts should be considered the most important before selecting orchids that you want to grow.
I don't own any orchids books so I can't refer you to anything, but I think its a great idea to get some books and read further on orchid care.

If I may suggest reading thru out the forums and find out what others are doing. Find out what the successes have been asell as the downfalls orchid hobbyists have had.
Nice little perk in reading the forums is the wonderful photos you will come across and just lose you mind over.

Welcome to the orchid board, I hope you enjoy your time here

[Dorothy]

WELCOME!
Glad you can join us at the OB

Here are the OB's care sheets for
Phragmipedium schlimii - http://www.orchidboard.com/node/116
and Cattleya - http://www.orchidboard.com/Cattleya-Culture-Care-Sheet
Just to give you a little-start-somewhere