Orchid Care Tips Blog

The book “Flora’s Orchids” by Isobyl LaCroix also has contributions from twelve expert botanists who have created an outstanding, readable, and easy to understand specialized book on Orchids suitable for gardeners and growers at all levels. The book consists of 368 pages and presents more than 1,500 different genus of this versatile plant. There are about 1,300 wonderful color photographs accompanying some entries.

The best price we have found for Flora’s Orchids can be found by clicking here to go to Amazon.com

The flowers in the book are arranged in an alphabetical name format starting from A to Z. Each entry first lists the scientific name of the genus in Latin, accompanied by a Latin meaning of the name and wherever appropriate the translated common name being used. The book contains a handy reference table where one can find the required climate and cultivation information for each species.

Each entry also has information on the plant spread and height, which are listed both in inches and centimeters. The brief intro descriptions of each flower explains the type of genus, geographic area where commonly found and bloom and dormancy seasons. The book also provides valuable information, tips and advice on cultivation which includes propagating, mulching and treating dormant tubers. A detailed cultivation table for each of the species is found in the appendix section of the book.

At a very reasonable price, one can find additional information on pest and diseases from which orchids suffer, how to prepare orchids for exhibition and some step by step photographs of propagation, repotting, and transplanting.

The book provides in-depth information on Genus entries relating to:

• Natural distribution
• Characteristics and cultivation tips
• Description of species
• Type of plant - whether terrestrial, lithophyte, or epiphyte
• Average plant height and spread
• Ideal temperature and light requirements
• Natural growing locations
• Growing conditions
• Frost tolerance
• Preference of cultivation – pot or mount
• Type of flowers produced – color, size, petals

The book is an important and valuable resource especially for aspiring botanists and average gardeners providing background information of each flower and explains various orchid varieties, taxonomy, hybridization, history, cultivation and propagation. The history section of each flower throws light on the fascinating historical development of the plant for culinary and medicinal usage and also unfolds the use of orchids in myths and literature use centuries ago. Overall the book has well laid out photographs, readable text and is written in simple English with not much botanical jargon been used.

Orchids are definitely one of the most fascinating plants in the world today. Its beauty is very rare and exotic. You can learn all about growing different variety of orchids in the book, “Orchids Grower’ Companion.” This book is written by Banks who has an extensive experience and knowledge about growing orchids himself. You will be able to learn from the best and manifest all these knowledge in your garden.

Not only that, you will also know about the 30,000 species of orchids and distinguish its 100,000 hybrid strains one from the other. This book includes 400 colored pictures of different orchid varieties so you will surely learn a lot about this plant and its characteristics.

Since Orchids Grower’ Companion is about orchids, it would not be complete without information about plant structures, its pollination, and even the plant’s history. Everything about orchids is can be discovered here. Aside from all these information though, there are also practical considerations that are tackled in this book. Banks’ book contains several chapters on plant care and maintenance. You will learn about how orchids can develop either indoors or outdoors and even how to grow it in mounts, basket, or pots.

In addition, the chapters about the temperature requirements, the moisture requirements, the fertilization, watering, propagation, and how to prevent pests are tackled in this book. Both amateur and professional gardeners are surely bound to learn something from the “Orchid Grower’s Companion,” it is very comprehensive and accurate.

But there is one conclusion that will surprise you after reading this book. It is the fact that orchids are actually not difficult to grow as many people think. But you need to learn a lot about orchids to be able to take care of it properly. Gardeners can grow orchids quite easily after knowing about all these but the basic is that as long as the temperature, the moisture level, and the proper housing for the orchids are met, orchids are bound to survive.

“Orchids Grower’ Companion.” definitely offers value for money. In fact, when you compare this book with other books that tackle the same subject, you will inevitably realize that this book is one of the best there is. Every penny you used to buy this book is definitely a penny well-spent. You will simply be astounded by the wealth of knowledge about orchids and you will surely want to buy a similar book to learn more.

I’m often asked which Orchid Books I recommend. These are some of the the best Orchid books I’ve found that can be bought immediately online.

1. Forceful Orchid Fertilizers - This book includes many homemade recipes. You can learn how to feed your Orchids and quickly get great results. Click Here!
2. Orchid Care Expert - An extensive guide to Orchid care techniques to maintain great looking Orchids. Click Here!
3. How To Care For Orchids - Grow Orchids and discover many Orchid mysteries. You’ll learn about the unusual biology of Orchids in their natural habitats and preferred climates. Click Here!

I’d like to announce a great Online book I hope you are interested in, The Magic Of Orchids. Reading it, you can discover secrets of growing magical Orchids. This is a guidebook across various categories such as Orchid care, hybrids, sick Orchids, pests, and more. This Online book is guaranteed. Click Here.

These are my three favorite Orchid books for the beginner through advanced Orchid grower.

Late one evening this coming week I’ll post my favorite books for just the beginner Orchid grower, as well as my favorites for the only advanced Orchid growers. The three books below are excellent Orchid care resources that you’ll want to keep on your bookshelf for years for Orchid care reference.

Enjoy! - L.T.
8/23/06 11:10 PM

1. This is a wonderful book. This has always been one of my favorites as it is very rich in content: Taylor’s Guide to Orchids: More Than 300 Orchids, Photographed and Described, for Beginning to Expert Gardeners. If you click this link to Amazon.com, you can look inside this book and buy at a discount at this link.
2. Flora’s Orchids is a beautiful hardcover book. Great Orchid care information and more. Click here to take a look at this book on Amazon!
3. Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World’s Most Exotic Plants is a great book, well designed with a lot of photography. It is filled with Orchid care information as well as Orchid varieties. Click here to check out this book on Amazon - they give free super saver shipping and excellent discount book price. =)

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