Smith & Hawken: 100 Orchids for the American Gardener - Softcover

McDonald, Elvin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0761110712 ISBN 13: 9780761110712

Publisher: Workman Publishing Company, 1998

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.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

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.

From the Back Cover:

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 this edition

• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0761110712
• ISBN 13: 9780761110712
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256