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

[peeweelovesbooks]

Hi all.

I'm starting to compile my Christmas wish list, and wanted to buy the first two books of the series: the Cattleyas and the Laelias. I've located the books, but they are kind of pricey (between 150-200 dollars) I wanted to know whether you thought they were worth the money?


I'm looking for an in-depth discussion on care, cultivation and history of each corresponding species, and figured it's time in my orchid growing adventure to step it up a couple of notches. So, I thought getting the books may be a good step towards that goal.


Your thoughts?

[Cookiemonster]

Take my opinion with a grain of salt- take that money and go buy more orchids lol. or donate it to the suzie orchid foundation, NOW thats taking it up a notch hehe

[peeweelovesbooks]

Suzie, bad, bad girl.

*I* am not going to purchase the books. Some poor relative of mine is. LOLOLOLOL

Don't make me spank you, woman!!

[luckygrower]

I'm not sure which series of books you are talking about, is it the series written by Carl L. Withner, if so they are great books, I own the first two in the series.
I can't believe they are worth so much now. I was looking at mine and found the original price tag in one. I purchased it from the San Diego wild animal park for $29.95 many years ago.

[Cookiemonster]

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

Suzie, bad, bad girl.

*I* am not going to purchase the books. Some poor relative of mine is. LOLOLOLOL

Don't make me spank you, woman!!

Okay again- ask your poor relative to give you that bloody money and go on an orchid binge, Im sure you need more plants

Nah I hope someone can provide you with more insight on this $$$$ book- maybe go to a university library and see if they have it there, you can take a look and see if its worth putting on the wishlist

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by luckygrower

I'm not sure which series of books you are talking about, is it the series written by Carl L. Withner, if so they are great books, I own the first two in the series.
I can't believe they are worth so much now. I was looking at mine and found the original price tag in one. I purchased it from the San Diego wild animal park for $29.95 many years ago.

Can you share what you like about them? What type of information is on there? Thanks.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

Okay again- ask your poor relative to give you that bloody money and go on an orchid binge, Im sure you need more plants

Nah I hope someone can provide you with more insight on this $$$$ book- maybe go to a university library and see if they have it there, you can take a look and see if its worth putting on the wishlist

Cookieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...............t he poor relative is my sister....LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

I've been binging all year woman. 30 rupics!! Stop bidding against me woman!!! (LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL)

[dounoharm]

there is no limit to the value of an education, and education begins with books, therefore i say get em!!! read and enjoy em!!

[luckygrower]

The best part of the books for me is the listing of what I believe to be all the species of each genera in alphabetical order.
In each listing it gives the name of the person who first described it and in what year, it then goes on to give known synonyms, then growth habit,location, size and native habitat.

[Phantasm]

If you are interested in species, Withners books are a good place to start. As he moves through the series, he does update the taxonomy.

Anyone that grows orchids should have a plentiful library that you can refer to. I find books a great investment in knowledge, especially the genera specific tomes.