Orchids Made Easy book -- any good?

[Sharon's Sheepdogs]

I must admit to agreeing with some of the last few posts. I read every book I could get my hands on when I first started growing orchids and much of the information was not proper for my growing conditions. Of couse I was too inexperienced at the time to realize that.

However, other than very basic information such as temperature, light etc., books should be used as a general guideline. I believe it's best to consult with someone who can address your questions knowing what your growing conditions are like such as an orchid society or an orchid forum like this one. When you ask a question here on orchidboard, at some point you will be asked to describe your growing conditions because that is key to providing you with the appropriate advice.

Once you gain more experience, you can turn back to books because you will then be able to discern on your own whether the information provided would work in your growing environment. At that point I would also recommend reading Bill Cullina's book on growing Cattleyas if that is an orchid you are interested in.

Good luck and welcome to Orchid board a/k/a Orchid Addiction Central!

[KokeshiHappyGreen]

I forked out the money for this book..and received his daily emails. Truthfully, the book didn't seem to have That much more than just the emails. And the culture sheets were from the AOS. Other "fillers" in a not too long book included things like links and such.

I was just getting started with orchids and didn't know about OB so after a bit of back and forth (due to the price and not wanting to be pestered by further marketing-which does happen, at least as far as further special offers and online group opportunities), I went ahead and got it. But I think I'd Definitely recommend getting it used if possible. Online or maybe if you have a Half-Price Books.

But I like the Cullina book better too...along with some Other Orchid info and pictoral books I got at HPB 👍🏻

[nogreenthumbs]

I happened upon Ryan's website and started getting his emails. It bugged me that they were phrased like infomercials. I also went to the AOS website and started getting emails from them.

I have since unsubscribed from Ryan's emails. I found they were a bit simple and I just wasn't that impressed by the info that I was getting. The emails from the AOS include links to articles that, to me, are much better.

I'd check out Ray's website (awesome), this forum and there's another forum that I'm on that seems good. There are some VERY experienced growers with LONG histories with orchids here and on the 'Net that can give great advise (you've had some in this thread). Picking their brain via this board is a GREAT way to go. I also like the videos done by missorchidgirl. She seems knowledgeable and is willing to experiment and think outside the box which I like. I also like that she's open about things like "this works for me, it may not work for you" or "not everyone will agree with this, but it's working for me".

[nogreenthumbs]

I was at 2 different Half Price Books stores this past weekend. I figured that while I was there, I would see if they had anything interesting on orchids. Most of what they had seemed like picture books that were short on information. I don't buy books like that any more. There's no point. You go through the book looking at the pictures and reading whatever text is there once, and that's probably it.

I did run across one of these (I think it was vol 3). No pictures at all other than a few hand drawn pics, IIRC. They looked pretty hard core, and there's 4 volumes. It looked really dry like a textbook.


JAMES RENTOUL - Australian Orchid Foundation
Excerpt on James Rentoul from the link above.

He turned this lifetime’s accumulation of practical and theoretical learning into seven eminently readable books for other amateur growers. They are:
Growing Orchids:
Book One – Cymbidiums and Slippers
Book Two – The Cattleyas and Other Epiphytes
Book Three – Vandas, Dendrobiums and Others
Book Four – The Australasian Families
The Specialist Orchid Grower
Expanding Your Orchid Collection
The Hybrid Story

[ellenjefferies@gmail.com]

Don't know where else to post this. First, I paid for the book, multiple times . To finally get it and stop them sending me emails adverting it, I had to threaten them with going to the BBB. Then, I joined their tip of the month club, supposedly for a year. Did that work???? Nope, they don't remember me and and want more money every time.

Plus their info is superficial. You'd do better getting any basic orchid care book out of the library or getting an AOS publication (and your $$$ would have gone to a good place)

---------- Post added at 10:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------

1. It isn't free if you have to pay for it
2. According to research someone else did, Ryan is an e--publication expert, not an orchid expert. My complaint is that I have paid him multiple times, he didn't deliver until I finally threatened to report him

[Dollythehun]

Welcome to the Orchid Board. You'll find us much more economical and user friendly (until we feed your addiction).

[MattWoelfsen]

My experience and observation about orchid books is they provide a knowledge base of information to get you started. But as you continue to raise orchids, the books become dust catchers because you need more topical sources of orchid knowledge and seek other sources—the internet being the most useful source of quick information.

As you experience more time with growing orchids and you go from seeking knowledge towards applying what you’ve learned, you start seeking contact with people who grow orchids in your area. Hopefully there is an Orchid Society or garden club with a group of orchidists.

As you mature, you’ll find yourself being someone else’s resources.

[ellenjefferies@gmail.com]

Thank you, all. I was originally replying to the question about Ryan Levesque because I have had first hand experience with him.

I am, for better or worse, a book person. I don't think there is a local orchid group. There is a grower, Ironwood Estate Orchids, about 2 hours north of us who will be helpful,

[orchidsarefun]

Library? My municipal library is willing to buy in books if a need can be demonstrated.

[cluelessmidwesterner]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Interesting point Ray, and a good one. I think it's a natural slant writers develop - write about what you know! Some books are less slanted than others. A reader, aware of this, should try a number of books to find one that "works" for them. And, of course, enjoy the pretty pictures!

Many books, especially histories or how-to books, have a slant to them. What works for the author in the how to book 50% of the time doesn't work in the "real" world. Everything looks good on paper.

My experience isn't so much plants as it is in dog training. There is a subject (other than child rearing) that has as many different opinions on what the "correct" way to do something. What most folk want is a quick fix magic bullet but there isn't a one size fits all way to train. Just like orchids (I am learning) everything depends on what you have to start with (breed of dog or parents of your mix breed, temperament, how biddable ) and what your environment is like (consistent in commands and expectations) plus the human's temperament (are you by the book type personality, a push over or ready with an excuse why the dog can't do something). That is one of those thing that you learn by not only reading but doing it over time with the different dogs you've had in your life. Each one teaches you something different.