100% reliable info on growing orchids in a 1985 book?
 

Looking for books on growing orchids, I've read a very high recommendation of a book published in 1985.

On the other hand, doing research on the Internet, I noticed that some basic rules that used to be taken for granted have been proven wrong by relatively recent scientific research. For instance, it's not high Phosphorus fertilizers that help/induce blooming, but low Nitrogen ones.

Hence my question: how "fresh" must a book be in order to be free of outdated info?

Any book that talks about the environment where orchids are found in nature is relevant no matter when it was written. Understanding an orchid's native habitat is one of the most important steps towards growing healthy orchids. As far as your example, if you ask ten orchid growers what kind of fertilizer is best, you'll get ten different answers. One problem you will run into with older books is orchid names. The folks that classify orchids just can't stop messing with the names and classifications. I'm sure you'll find discrepancies in the classification of orchids in older books. Good luck.

I agree completely with Tucker.

Not only will you get ten opinions, but all ten will work for the way they grow and the conditions they have. You have to figure out which is closest to how YOU grow and why it works.

Not only is it important to know where they naturally grow, but also how to make up for deficiencies in your own environment.

This makes huge sense. Understanding how orchids work and how they interact with their environment will allow me to provide my own answers in a variety of situations instead of memorizing do's and dont's in a limited set of situations.

But some info will be ready-to-use (such as levels and seasonal variations of light intensity and photoperiod, relative humidity and air movement, etc., etc.) while other info will require interpretation and/or experience. For instance, since I can't replicate the whole set of conditions in the weeks/months prior to an orchid's blooming, I need to know which conditions are essential. I don't have the knowledge, the means and the time needed for conducting such experiments. I have read somewhere that day/night temperature variation is not really required for inducing blooming, but higher light and lower temperature. (I haven't bookmarked that page, but raised a flag in my mind to do more research on this.)

I'm sure that there are also seasonal variations in the quantity and quality of food an orchid gets. For instance, less decomposing vegetals in spring than in fall, but more guano (I'm just making it up). There's no way I could extract ready-to-use info on fertilizing from knowing its natural evironment, unless I'll be able to conduct extensive experiments. This is why I have to rely on other people's experience, and newer scientific research might prove older ones obsolete. By the way, I will be sticking to a balanced fertilizer (MSU-type, 20-20-20) just because experienced growers do.

My favorite resources for understanding and growing orchids have been: the 'free info' section on Ray's website, and William Cullina's 'Understanding Orchids'.

Both of your resources are excellent. "Understanding Orchids" is my favorite orchid book and Ray has a wealth of information. I've also picked up a lot of new knowledge right here from the Orchid Board. Good luck.

This depends on the orchid in question.

For certain Bulbophyllums, it is vital that the temperature between night and day drop significantly (at least 10 degrees F), in order for them to bloom at all.

For Phals, it's the seasonal variation in temperatures, therefore it is easy to manipulate. Just drop the temperature for about a week down to 55 F or 60 F at night and around 70 F during the day, and it'll trigger blooms on your Phal.

Certain Dendrobiums are an excellent example of this.

Good sources, but the OB is good too! ;)