100 Orchids for the American Gardener (Smith & Hawken)

Coddled by owners, prized by collectors, meticulously bred by professional growers, the once-rare orchid is currently enjoying a boom in popularity. There is no denying that orchids are beautiful, exotic, mysterious, that they cast a spell like no other flower, but the surprise is that they're disarmingly easy to grow.

Elvin McDonald, the acclaimed gardening authority and writer, is a self-professed orchid fanatic who shares his long love affair with the subject in 100 ORCHIDS FOR THE AMERICAN GARDENER. By focusing on their simple needs, Mr. McDonald presents a splendid how-to for growing 100 of the most beguiling, rewarding, and sumptuous orchids available in North America. He shows how to pot and repot them; set up a watering schedule; check for pests and diseases; and, most important, get them to rebloom. Also included are full-color photographs of orchids in all their glory, plus a source guide. Whether you're on your first cattleya or have already assembled the makings of a collection, this handsome reference will surely serve as an indispensable guide.

A lushly illustrated guide to the author's 100 favorite orchids, providing step-by-step instructions to repotting, light, water, fertilizer, insect and disease management, and dormancy for each of the many species and hybrids. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

From a dean of garden writers comes the definitive guide on raising orchids. Beginning with the myth that orchids are hard to grow, McDonald describes potting mediums, water and air needs, light and lack of light, and more. Color photos.

IF YOU CAN GROW HOUSEPLANTS, YOU CAN GROW ORCHIDS

The spidery Brassia. The perfumed amethyst Miltassia. White-lipped Cattleyas with lavendar tepals. From Cymbidiums to Vandas, Phalaenopsis to Paphiopedilums, 100 ORCHIDS FOR THE AMERICAN GARDENER removes the mystery and confusion surrounding these gorgeous plants. A fully illustrated guide, it takes gardeners step-by-step through the appropriate potting mediums, light, water, and fertilizer for a huge range of orchids. It tells how to repot an orchid, keep it free of disease and pests, and care for it during its dormant period so that you can successfully bring it back to bloom.

The heart of the book is a unique plant guide with sumptuous full-color photographs that focus on the whole plant-leaves, stems, roots, and overall carriage. Entries include exhaustive details on each plant's particular needs.

I. A SHORT HISTORY OF A HUGE FAMILY

The Orchid Arrives

A World of Orchids

II. WHAT ARE ORCHIDS?

Terrestrials and Epiphytes

Monopodials vs. Sympodials

Anatomy of Orchids

III. WHAT ORCHIDS NEED AND HOW TO PROVIDE IT

Humidity

Watering

Potting Mediums

Temperature

Light

IV. CREATING AN ORCHID GARDEN

Buying Orchids

Windowsills

Electric-Light Growing

Greenhouse

Slathouses

V. ORCHID GROWING IS SIMPLE

Potting and Repotting

Growing Mediums

Hardening Off and Dormancy

Fertilizing

Insect and Disease Management

Orchid Troubleshooting

VI. A FIELD GUIDE TO 100 ORCHIDS

APPENDIXES

North American Mail-Order Sources for Orchids

Glossary of Common Terms

Photography Credits