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Learn to Grow Orchids

© Diana Pederson

Orchids. Joyce Stewart. Revised Edition, Timber Press, 2000. $19.95

This is an outstanding general book on the orchid plant family. You’ll find a basic discussion of how orchids came into general circulation, early attempts at maintaining the plant in greenhouses and individual homes. The early growers struggled to grow these fascinating plants from seed. The earliest recorded success occurred in 1802. By the mid 1800’s, growers were predicting that many interesting hybrids would be grown if people were willing to give seedlings enough time and care to grow to maturity. It took years of research before people were successfully growing orchids from seeds. Among the discoveries necessary was the discovery of the relationship between mycorrhizzal fungus and seed germination. In the early 1900s, American growers learned to germinate seeds in a agar medium laced with various minerals and other nutrients. This is the formula now used worldwide.

The chapters on principles of orchid growing and orchid cultivation combined provide the amateur with sufficient information to grow a few orchids on their windowsills or a greenhouse. I was rather disappointed to find so little information on growing orchids under lights. With so many people having limited windows in apartments, townehouses, and homes, it is necessary for many orchid growers to use artificial lights. There is a short chapter on propagation that may encourage even amateur growers to try their hand at propagating these plants. Several methods are described. I would comment that anyone ready to move into propagation from seed will require far more details than presented in this book. Seasonal growing of orchids in greenhouses and a discussion of possible pests and diseases finish the informational chapters.

The A to Z discussion of orchid species is quite comprehensive. I was delighted to find even a few paragraphs on genera such as Dracula, Masdevallia, and Pleurothallis, which are not often covered this thoroughly in a book designed for newcomers to this exciting hobby. This section is strongly lacking some important information. First, this section fails to provide adequate cultural information on the different genera. Orchids grow in such diverse climates that it is impossible to consider the basic cultural information provided as being sufficient to help anyone grow some of the orchid genera discussed in the plant directory. Second, since this book is clearly intended for newcomers, it seems to me that every plant mentioned should have a colored photograph accompanying the description. If you decide to purchase this book, I strongly urge you to buy an encyclopedia style orchid book too providing it has ample photographs.