Synopses & Reviews
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.
Synopsis
Following the striking format of 100 English Roses for the American Garden, here is both a how-to book and a stunningly photographed field guide. Beginning with the one persistent myth surrounding orchids (that they-re difficult to grow) and debunking it thoroughly, Mr. McDonald describes potting mediums, water and air needs, light and lack of light, how to create an orchid garden, and troubleshooting. From there the book introduces 100 dazzling varieties and explains how to raise and care for them, from popular cattleyas and phalaenopsis to hauntingly beautiful ascocendas, charming miltoniopsis, or pansy orchids, vandas and oncidiums.
Synopsis
Also in this series: 100 English Roses for the American Gardenand 100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the American Garden.
Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club47,000 copies in printSynopsis
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.
About the Author
Elvin McDonald is not only a garden writer and editor, but also one of the foremost horticultural authorities in America. He has authored more than 50 books, served as editorial consultant on Smith and Hawken's Outdoor Garden Book and was editor-in-chief of the American Horticultural Society's Encyclopedia of Gardening. He is currently senior staff editor and garden editor of Traditional Home Magazine. Elvin was just inducted into the Garden Writers Association of America's "Hall of Fame." He is the tenth inductee since 1981--and the youngest to date.
Table of Contents
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