Orchids: The Complete Grower's Guide

John Skillcorn

Author: Rittershausen, Brian and Wilma
Publisher: Garden Art Press
ISBN: 1-870673-34-4
Price: £25.00

The Publisher says:
Orchids - The Complete Grower's Guide covers all aspects of cultivating orchids. It is suitable both for the beginner starting out, as well as for the more committed orchid enthusiast looking to try some of the more unusual species available. The internationally recognised authors, backed by years of hands-on experience, take an in-depth look at orchid growing today. Areas covered include a comprehensive background to the orchid and its history together with information on hybridisation and the conservation of rare and threatened species in the wild. On the practical side, there is down-to-earth advice with step-by-step instruction on the care of orchids for the amateur and the more advanced gardener: watering, feeding, greenhouse cultivation, re-potting, root care and compost are amongst the many subject areas covered. Pests and diseases are also listed and their prevention and cures are suggested.

Superb, specially commissioned colour photographs, accompanied by an informative, readable text, reveal the intrinsic beauty of these exotic plants.

DUST JACKET ILLUSTRATIONS
Front: Paphiopedilum insigne.
Spine: Phragmipedium Sorcerer's Apprentice.
Back: Oncidium boissiense.

My comments:
I'm a Rittershausen fan and I've been referring to their books for years now. This work is an attempt to be a practical guide to the growing of these plants, and it succeeds to a certain extent.

It's packed with pictures, almost all in full colour. Some deal with the subject of cultivation: potting and repotting, for instance. Others show orchids either growing in the wild or growing in a 'wild state' in those countries where it is possible to grow them out of doors on trees in the garden. A bit of orchid history is also covered going back to times when orchids were only for the rich.

Unlike other books by these authors featured on this Website, this book deals also with 'miniature' orchids, something of which I am totally in favour. Colour photographs, of which there are many, enhance the reader's understanding of the potential that these plants offer when, like me, space is limited. For the average sized vivarium where one might risk trying some of these plants, this is also a consideration.

The book gets a reserved thumbs up from me, but if you're a complete beginner there are probably other, less expensive books more suited to your needs than this one. Something to save for later, perhaps, when you've gained a bit more experience.