Synopses & Reviews
The names of those early orchid hunters are preserved today in the Latin names by which the orchids they discovered are still known. In the last two decades orchids have been subject to extensive hybridisation in the search for novelty and ever more fantastic colours and shapes; indeed thousands upon thousands of hybrids have appeared. Jack Kramer concentrates on the original botanical orchids as they appeared in nature and their habitats. These orchids had waned in popularity with the introduction of the new hybrids and were also at risk in many cases of extinction as their natural habitats were despoiled and ravaged by man. Fortunately, new cloning techniques have rescued such endangered species from oblivion. This book addresses the technical needs of the novice orchid enthusiast in choosing species appropriate to the climate and facilities available, as well as guiding the beginner in the basics of orchid cultivation. ' The lesson to be learned is that you can successfully raise orchids as lo
Synopsis
'Botanicals' or 'Species' orchids are fast regaining popularity, blossoming in homes and greenhouses as they did in the nineteenth century. As opposed to the thousands of hybrid examples which have been created over the years, these varieties are, as it were, Nature's Originals. Jack Kramer's expertise spans the horticultural past of the plants and the detailed practicality of growing them. Readers will find an exceptional range of illustrations, from rare hand-coloured prints from the 18th and 19th Century masters to sharp colour photographs of the plants themselves. Most of the orchids discussed have been grown by Jack Kramer himself and he addresses the relative ease of cultivating different varieties, information on suppliers and societies, the classification and geographical distribution of orchids, and the suitability of different varieties to warm, temperate and cool climatic conditions.
Synopsis
This book concentrates on original species orchids rather than hybrid It gives straight forward advice on successful cultivation methods. There is an extensive illustrated gallery of botanical orchids with many photographs and full descriptive information of the different species.