The Cattleyas and their relative series by C. Withner...worth the $$?

[epiphyte78]

I had the opportunity to purchase them at a pretty good price but was fortunately able to glance through them beforehand. I was not at all impressed with the distribution information and elevation information was more often missing than not. From what I saw there was barely any culture information and without elevation information it's impossible to learn what type of conditions your orchid will appreciate.

The series was written for other taxonomists and not for orchid growers.

My recommendation is to utilize the orchidspecies.com website for the broader culture info and to help narrow your selection of orchids. Once you purchase an orchid or want to narrow your choices even more then you can find the more in depth culture, care, climate information at the orchid culture website.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Thank you for all the replies. I think they are definitely going to go at the top of my orchid Christmas wish list.

Epiphyte, I always buy the Baker's orchid culture sheets for whatever species I have--which basically comprise the majority of my small collection. As a matter of fact, I buy them before purchasing the orchid.

Well, even if it's geared toward taxonomists, I think it may be valuable in learning more about the history. I think there may be a value in that as well.

I think at this point, orchid growing is more than a hobby of mine--it's turning into one of my passions. Giggle.

I thank everyone for their responses and opinions.

Please, if you have more to share, I would greatly appreciate it.

[epiphyte78]

Here are some other books that I found much more helpful in terms of being able to derive climate conditions and are much less expensive...

The Genus Encyclia in Mexico by Dressler, Robert I. and Pollard, Glenn E.

Laelias of Mexico by Federico Halbinger, Miguel Soto, Rolando Jimenez, Ricardo Pelaez, Roberto Gonzalez

Many of the Mexican Laelias and Encyclias are great for growing in Florida...which leaves the Brazilian Cattleyas. One of my favorite and reasonably priced book for Brazilian orchids is the Orchids of Brazil by Jim and Barbara McQueen. It covers most of the Brazilian Cattleyas as well as quite a few other orchids of Brazil. Each entry includes a decent amount of distribution and culture information.

Oops, guess everybody purchased the Laelias of Mexico since I last looked for it.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Epiphyte:

Thanks for the link for the book of Orchids from Brazil!! I already have the Laelias of Mexico. Great book and it is incredibly informative.


Ahh...didn't know about the encyclia book. It's an orchid I've been considering, but I'm not entirely sold on. Do you grow them?

Thanks for the information.

[peeweelovesbooks]

How about Miranda's book on Brazilian species?

(wink)

[WhiteRabbit]

Maria - check out Amazon marketplace
Amazon.com: Cattleyas and their relatives

and ebay

Amazon.com: Cattleyas and their relatives

tho it does appear the six part book with everything is still around $200
but it looks like the individual volumes may be had for less ...

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Maria - check out Amazon marketplace
Amazon.com: Cattleyas and their relatives

and ebay

Amazon.com: Cattleyas and their relatives

tho it does appear the six part book with everything is still around $200
but it looks like the individual volumes may be had for less ...

thanks I've found them on abebooks.com also.

[epiphyte78]

Oh, that's fortunate you already have the Laelias of Mexico book!

I didn't know that Miranda has a book on Brazilian species? I just noticed the CDs on her website.

Not sold on Encyclias??!! Yikes! Guess us orchidboarders have really been dropping the ball in the Encyclia department. Here's the list of Encyclias that I grow...

Encyclia adenocaula
Encyclia alata subsp. Virella
Encyclia bractescens
Encyclia citrina
Encyclia cordigera
Encyclia hanburyi
Encyclia mariae
Encyclia megalantha
Encyclia Orchid Jungle 'valley isle'
Encyclia prismatocarpa
Encyclia radiata
Encyclia tampensis

Probably more than half of those have been moved out of Encyclia but I still think of them as Encyclias. The roundish bulbs are super cool and many are temperature tolerant and relatively drought tolerant. If I can remember maybe I'll hijack your thread with a few photos of my Encyclias.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by epiphyte78

Oh, that's fortunate you already have the Laelias of Mexico book!

I didn't know that Miranda has a book on Brazilian species? I just noticed the CDs on her website.

Not sold on Encyclias??!! Yikes! Guess us orchidboarders have really been dropping the ball in the Encyclia department. Here's the list of Encyclias that I grow...

Encyclia adenocaula
Encyclia alata subsp. Virella
Encyclia bractescens
Encyclia citrina
Encyclia cordigera
Encyclia hanburyi
Encyclia mariae
Encyclia megalantha
Encyclia Orchid Jungle 'valley isle'
Encyclia prismatocarpa
Encyclia radiata
Encyclia tampensis

Probably more than half of those have been moved out of Encyclia but I still think of them as Encyclias. The roundish bulbs are super cool and many are temperature tolerant and relatively drought tolerant. If I can remember maybe I'll hijack your thread with a few photos of my Encyclias.

Absolutely!! I'd love to see some pictures!


I dunno. In my travels to Homestead maybe I've seen one or two. Hmmmmm.......I haven't really sat down and examined them though.

Are encyclias scented? I like stuff that can grow outside in Florida, can withstand Maria's abuse, is showy and tall and well, BIG.

Highjack away.


Yes, Francisco Miranda has a book and a CD series on the orchids of Brazil. I'm planning on buying either or both (if the book is still available). I've not bought much from him, since I was focusing on the Brazilian growers this past Redland's show, but I'm about to turn my attention to him, and look closely at what he has for sale.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

Are encyclias scented? I like stuff that can grow outside in Florida, can withstand Maria's abuse, is showy and tall and well, BIG.

lol
You just perfectly described most Encyclia species! Many are highly scented, extremely hardy and grow like weeds to make specimen plants pretty quickly.

As for your book, I have some of them and was not impressed. Its very taxonomic and if you are a grower rather than a taxonomist, I would have to agree with Epiphyte78 that your book wish list would be better suited with other books or better yet, OrchidWiz! Every single culture sheet from the Bakers is in there and is presented in a much easier to read version than from the Bakers themselves, not to mention enough pictures to keep you busy for years!