Book for beginners .. w/ photos!

[Denver1911]

As a beginner, I would like to have some reading material that not only provides information, but also visual inspiration. I can gather all the detailed info I want via the Internet, but some pretty basic and general info in one concise location would be nice. Any recommendations?

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by Denver1911

As a beginner, I would like to have some reading material that not only provides information, but also visual inspiration. I can gather all the detailed info I want via the Internet, but some pretty basic and general info in one concise location would be nice. Any recommendations?

I can offer suggestions from many books I've bought over the yrs. However,maybe you would consider joining a local orchid society first. They welcome folks to their mtgs. and speak on various topics. Usually display tables have blooming plants that growers proudly show and you're sure to get inspiration. If it's not for you,no damage done.

[Bud]

You can go to Walmart and find the book: "Orchid Basics"....or go to Barnes and Noble, there are four books there you will find very helpful for beginners.

[Ray]

Denver,

Before I retired from my "real job", downsized my home & business and relocated to NC, I sold lots of orchid books. There were a few leftovers that I moved, and a couple that meet your criteria that I would highly recommend: Ortho's All about Orchids and Better Homes & Gardens Orchid Gardening. They retail for $11.95 & $19.99, respectively, but you can have them both (they're new, not used) for $15 including postage, if you want them.

Shoot me a PM.

[Denver1911]

Originally Posted by DeaC

I can offer suggestions from many books I've bought over the yrs. However,maybe you would consider joining a local orchid society first. They welcome folks to their mtgs. and speak on various topics. Usually display tables have blooming plants that growers proudly show and you're sure to get inspiration. If it's not for you,no damage done.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I can tell that the orchid society is not for me. I have many other hobbies and work that takes up much of my time. I do not need to add another time commitment or I will not stay the course. I am taking Ray up on his offer to start. I love to read and look forward to the opportunity. I am, however, going to the Louisville orchid show later this month to get my first plants.

[Denver1911]

Got Rays books today! Perfect. Lots of info a beginner such as myself needs. And lots of inspirational photos to leave lying on the coffee table.

[LiamOliver]

Hi. I prefer to learn information with a visual design too. It's like a special extra layer of narration that helps the knowledge be imprinted in your memory. Also, such reference images serve as triggers. If you see such an image, you'll remember more information associated with it. I have tried quite a few options, but I can probably mark these book apps as the best. There's quite a large selection. You will be able to choose something that will fully meet your requirements. What are your favorite topics? If you tell me a little more about yourself, I can give you a more specific answer.

[Roberta]

Another suggestion - The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and their Culture I have been growing orchids for a long time and still found much useful information in it ... and photos are superb.

[estación seca]

You can read a review of the book Roberta mentioned here.

[katsucats]

I haven't read any orchid books, but I would recommend learning from forums like Orchid Board first and using books only as a quick reference. From what I can tell from AOS articles and other articles from respectable authors in the orchid world, a lot of them tend to over-complicate things, which cause a lot of people to misinterpret them. I can't count the number of times I've read authors of editorials or tutorial websites say that Phals need a wet and dry cycle. I've seen many people online then think that the medium needs to dry out before they water it again, which is, in my opinion, probably one of the top reasons people struggle with this. My Phals sit in a tub of water and never dry out. When the medium dries out is when I start losing leaves.

When I need orchid help, my first line of defense is to find someone who lives in a similar climate as me and grows the same genus and see what they're doing differently. It doesn't interest me one iota whether the plant in its original habitat comes from an altitude of 3000 meters or the temperature there never drips below 50. I'm not going to tie my orchid to a cell tower and the temperature here is what it is. Just because an orchid evolves to out-compete in an environment doesn't mean that environment is ideal for it or it couldn't survive anywhere else. I feel like a lot of authors misrepresent evolution in a big way.

If an author lives in Florida, with their humidity, they might prescribe that an orchid needs to be planted in bark. But that probably doesn't translate well if you happen to live in Arizona.

Granted, maybe there are good books that clarify these things the right way.