Is the book Paphiopedilum good?

[NYCorchidman]

I have not been able to find it at local bookstores and it is over $200.

I was wondering how good it is if anyone has it.
If it is good, then I don't mind spending several hundred dollars.

Please share reviews those of you who went through it.

[naoki]

Which book are you talking about? Guido Braem & Guy Chiron? If so, I do like it (for taxonomy). I don't have Cribb's 'Genus Paphiopedilum', but I intend to get it eventually.

If you are interested in culture than taxonomy, then it is probably better to go with Birk's 'The Paphiopedilum Grower's Manual, 2nd ed.' To me, Koopowitz's book is not worth it (since I'm not interested in artificial hybrids). Slipper Orchids of Vietnam by Averyanov contains the most interesting biology of each species. It doesn't cover all species, but this is my favorite paph book. Amazon has it at the lowest-ever price at this moment ($49.95 new).

[orchidsarefun]

surely you can loan it via a NY library ?

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by naoki

Which book are you talking about? Guido Braem & Guy Chiron? If so, I do like it (for taxonomy). I don't have Cribb's 'Genus Paphiopedilum', but I intend to get it eventually.

If you are interested in culture than taxonomy, then it is probably better to go with Birk's 'The Paphiopedilum Grower's Manual, 2nd ed.' To me, Koopowitz's book is not worth it (since I'm not interested in artificial hybrids). Slipper Orchids of Vietnam by Averyanov contains the most interesting biology of each species. It doesn't cover all species, but this is my favorite paph book. Amazon has it at the lowest-ever price at this moment ($49.95 new).

No, it is just called Slipper Orchids (in tiny print)Paphiopedilum, and it is by Bruno Friesen. I hear that the author is a great plant lover from Germany.

I'm mainly into hybrids. lol
but of course, I have some knowledge of many species as it helps to understand them better.

I am interested in good culture techniques and diseases, identification with some nice pictures among other things.

---------- Post added at 04:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:44 PM ----------

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

surely you can loan it via a NY library ?

I'll have to check, but if it is a good book, I'd rather own it.

[naoki]

I've been curious about that Friesen's book, too. I've not heard any comments about it even on slippertalk.com.

[Paphluvr]

The following is the book review from Amazon.com. If this is the type of information you're after than it's a good book. I would think that after reading this review that other Paph books (such as Cash, Cribb or Birk) would be more informative (and cheaper).

By the way, the "new" price for the book you were considering is less than the used price (>$200).

"This book should not be seen as a work of science but as a book that is easy to read for the lover of orchids and especially for the lover of Paphiopedilum. It is intended for the connoisseurs who share the same inclination for this amazing flower. The book sets out to give the reader all round knowledge of the genus Paphiopedilum. It starts with the orchid hunters and how this increasing knowledge piloted the cultivation and multiplication of these amazing plants. This knowledge leads to the hybridization of different intra- and inter-subgenera to create man-made flowers of miraculous beauty. The book continues with the nomenclature of Cypripedieae its genera, sub-genera and species and varying opinions of it, followed by the cytogenesis of the genus Paphiopedilum, the colour management of its flowers, anatomy and morphology. The chapter 'Taxonomy' describes its historical development up to the present. The following chapter introduces all species of the genus Paphiopedilum with their specific botanical characteristics. The development of complex hybrids, maudiae type hybrids and multifloral hybrids are explained in detail. The last two chapters deal with some practical aspects of propagation, diseases and pests of the Paphiopedilum plant. All is presented in a unique artistic dialogue with the flowers as shown in all aquarelle paintings and illustration"

[reivilos]

I've got nearly all of them and I seriously doubt the data contained in any of those books can be translated into cultural advice.
However a few may look shallow...
No book will ever replace experience.

[tucker85]

I agree that you should check your local library before spending a large sum of money. You could buy a lot of paphs for $200. Also there's so much information online that owning expensive books is just a luxury and not a necessity.

[reivilos]

Yep! Buy more paph!