Orchids to Know and Grow - Softcover

Sheehan, Thomas J.; Black, Robert J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 081303065X ISBN 13: 9780813030654

Publisher: University Press of Florida, 2007

Synopsis

Orchids have been collected and grown for commercial purposes for more than 150 years, but while these spectacular plants are ever more available to casual gardeners and hobbyists, many still regard selecting and caring for orchids beyond their abilities. This book has easy-to-read, clearly defined chapters on identifying, classifying, and cultivating orchids. Also included are descriptions and illustrations of more than 150 of the more commonly grown orchid genera. The descriptions in tabular, readable outlines make it easy to select plants by appearance as well as a variety of criteria, including genus, particular light or temperature requirements, native habitat, and flowering time.

Sheehan and Black also provide valuable tips on selecting good specimens to buy and on caring for them under a variety of conditions found in either home or greenhouse. For enthusiasts, they provide advice on preparing plants for exhibition as well as chapters on uses of orchids, orchid items as collectables, diseases, insects, physiological problems, and special growing arrangements such as greenhouses and shade structures. Especially valuable is the best and most complete illustrated glossary of orchid terminology on the market.

This informative, user-friendly guide will transform even the most casual orchid fan from admirer to collector and cultivator.

 

About this title

About the Author

Thomas J. Sheehan is professor emeritus of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, coauthor of Florida Landscape Plants, Second Revised Edition (UPF), and serves as the American Orchid Society representative on the Royal Horticultural Society’s Advisory Panel on Orchid Hybrid Registration.

 

Robert J. Black is professor emeritus of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and coauthor of a number of horticultural guides, including Your Florida Landscape (UPF) and Landscape Plants for the Gulf and South Atlantic Coasts (UPF).

Reviews

For gardeners or orchid lovers intimidated by the plant's exotic and temperamental reputation, Sheehan and Black, both environmental horticulture professors emeriti at the University of Florida, have written a small, rather dry but helpful volume outlining basic orchid cultivation methods, as well as some surprising orchid facts (vanilla is an orchid!). Beginning with the six qualities that define an orchid and instructions on how to identify one, they proceed with two chapters on naming and taxonomy, followed by an encyclopedic list of orchid genera that takes up the bulk of the book. The chapters describing hands-on orchid culture cover light, water and temperature needs; growing media; containers and potting; propagation; diseases and pests; and how to grow orchids in greenhouses as well as in the home. The information, although thorough enough to get started, is sketchy at times: the propagation section mentions a method of germinating orchid seed aseptically on nutrient agar but rather than describe how to do it in your kitchen, which they state is possible, they merely remark that most amateur gardeners prefer to purchase flasks of already germinated seeds. Despite this sometimes frustrating lack of detail, the book, which also contains enticing color plates of many of the genera, is a good reference for both beginning and experienced orchid growers. (July)
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Edition details

• Publisher: University Press of Florida
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 081303065X
• ISBN 13: 9780813030654
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320