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.

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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.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 at 8:57 pm and is filed under Orchid Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.