Newbie looking for Books! - Orchid Board

sm01 · #1 11-17-2008, 11:23 PM

Hi,

I'm a newbie but have somehow managed to collect a couple phals, a few oncidiums and a phragmipedium (i think). I've had these plants for 12-18 months -- keeping them in windowsill with northern exposure supplemented with 160 watt Wonderlite (moving to a place with southeastern exposure soon!). I've been able to keep everything alive, but blooms are few and far in between.

Hoping for a couple recommendations for good, comprehensive books for beginners. I have "Orchids Simplified" by Jaworski and "Ortho's All About Orchids". Neither are very good. Want to better understand lighting, fertilizer, watering and how to maximize frequency and number of blooms!

Thanks in advance!

ronaldhanko · #2 11-18-2008, 03:24 AM

When I started the books I found most helpful were:
(1) the books by Mary Noble, You Can Grow Orchids, You Can Grow Cattleya Orchids, You Can Grown Phalaenopsis Orchids;
(2) Rebecca Northern's book Home orchid Growing (I wore a copy of this book out reading and rereading it.

camille1585 · #3 11-18-2008, 05:51 AM

"Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide To Growing The World's Most Exotic Plants" by William Cullina is very good. I have it and I think it covers all the topics very well and has info suited for everyone from beginners to confirmed growers. The first part of the book is on culture (light, fert, water, pests...) and the second part is is descriptions/culture of hundreds of different orchids.
IMO, it's a great book!

Grandma M · #4 11-18-2008, 07:39 AM

Click on "Book Reviews" there are a lot of good books listed with info about each one.

Marilyn

whygreenberg · #5 11-18-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

"Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide To Growing The World's Most Exotic Plants" by William Cullina is very good. I have it and I think it covers all the topics very well and has info suited for everyone from beginners to confirmed growers. The first part of the book is on culture (light, fert, water, pests...) and the second part is is descriptions/culture of hundreds of different orchids.
IMO, it's a great book!

I'm with Camille on this one. It's a bit more expensive, but Cullina's book has been really excellent for me.

whygreenberg · #6 11-18-2008, 09:54 AM

Oh...and Welcome!! NYC in da house!

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #7 11-18-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

"Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide To Growing The World's Most Exotic Plants" by William Cullina is very good. I have it and I think it covers all the topics very well and has info suited for everyone from beginners to confirmed growers. The first part of the book is on culture (light, fert, water, pests...) and the second part is is descriptions/culture of hundreds of different orchids.
IMO, it's a great book!

A huge second to Camille on "Understanding Orchids." It was my first orchid book, and I have yet to find another comprehensive book that is as thorough or easy to read. It's a great book for beginners, but you won't soon grow out of it.

And welcome to OB! Enjoy

sm01 · #8 11-19-2008, 12:16 AM

Wow, thanks for your recommendations. Looks like I need to order "Understanding Orchids". Thanks again!

camille1585 · #9 11-19-2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm01

Wow, thanks for your recommendations. Looks like I need to order "Understanding Orchids". Thanks again!

If you do go ahead and get this book, I think that ordering it from Amazon might be the cheapest. That's where I got mine. Anyways, being in France, Amazon was the only place where I could find it!
Happy reading!