Orchids – A Practical Guide for Gardeners With Advice on Growing and a Directory of 200 Orchids

About this book

Flamboyant, intriguing, beautiful and exotic, orchids have evolved to become the largest family of plants in the world. This classic book, written by two of the world's leading orchid authorities and now updated, presents everything you need to know to identify, choose and display these delightful flowers successfully. It contains guidance on tools and equipment; feeding and watering; and dealing with pests and diseases. A directory describes and illustrates a wide range of species and hybrids, providing information on habitat, size, flowering time and growing requirements. With over 600 exquisite photographs, this is the definitive guide to growing these well-loved plants.

- Everything you need to know to grow orchids successfully, with step-by-step information on potting and mounting orchids, propagation, feeding, watering, light levels, and dealing with pests and diseases.
- Practical advice on growing and displaying orchids indoors, under glass, and outdoors, both in temperate and tropical areas.
- An easy-to-use plant directory of over 200 fabulous orchids, with photographs of each orchid, and vital information on habitat, size, flowering time and growing requirements.

Contents

THE WORLD OF ORCHIDS 6
Why Grow Orchids? 8
Orchids in the Wild 12
The History of Orchids 30
The Botany of Orchids 40

WHERE TO GROW ORCHIDS 52
Growing Orchids Indoors 54
Growing Orchids Outdoors 66
Growing Orchids Under Glass 74

CARE AND CULTIVATION 86
Tools and Equipment 88
Growing Mediums 90
Potting and Mounting Orchids 94
Propagation 104
Routine Care 120
Common Problems 134

ORCHID DIRECTORY 144
Popular Orchids 146
Specialist Orchids 226
Temperate Terrestrial Orchids 246

Glossary 248
Suppliers 252
Index 254
Acknowledgements 256

Customer Reviews

Biography

Brian and Wilma Rittershausen came from a family of orchid experts that had a nursery in Devon, England. In 2009 they were awarded the Westonbirt Orchid Medal for outstanding literary achievement, and the nursery has won many gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.a