100 Orchids for the American Gardener (Smith & Hawken) [Paperback]

Elvin McDonald (Author), Steven McDonald (Author)

Book Description

Series: Smith & Hawken | Publication Date: January 8, 1998

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The increasing popularity of orchid growing has created a demand for beginner's guides to orchid horticulture. Garden writer and lecturer Elvin McDonald's glossy, lavishly illustrated handbook includes general cultivation information and detailed descriptions of 100 orchids suitable for the home gardener. The most notable feature of this book is the photography of the profiled orchids, which depicts whole plants rather than just flowers. However, the proportions of some of the orchids were notably distorted by the photographer's lens. Also, the author confuses orchid species and hybrids (a significant number of the featured "hybrids" are actually species orchids). Recommended only as an optional supplement to far more authoritative beginner's handbooks, such as Judy White's Taylor's Guide to Orchids (Houghton, 1996).?Brian Lym, Contra Costa Coll., San Pablo, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (January 8, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761110712
• ISBN-13: 978-0761110712
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,265,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, but has a catalog feel., February 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 100 Orchids for the American Gardener (Smith & Hawken) (Paperback)

This book is a good source for orchid lovers. The photos are beautiful, but I couldn't help feel as if I were previewing a fancy catalog. Why were these orchids picked to be in this book? I was disappointed that the plants listed were not of the more readily available variety. I had the book with me when I went into Smith and Hawken and the odd thing was some of the plants they had for sale were not listed in the book. So I guess it's not a catalog after all. A great thing about the book is that it offers information on the plant shown so the reader would have an idea what plant would bloom in what size pot. It also gives you good info on how to care for a specific plant so you don't make the mistake of buying one that would be too difficult to care for.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good pictoral on orchids, with 100 full pages of pictures., February 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 100 Orchids for the American Gardener (Smith & Hawken) (Paperback)

This book provided a great overview of the main genus of orchids. I would have liked to have seen more about how the genus are related, and which can be crossed to produce a hybrid. Also, what techniques are used for judging orchids? The pictures themselves are worth the price of this book. More than half of the orchids pictured will be imposible to find, but a good local gardener will be able to find you a close match.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Photography!!, October 21, 2000

By 

K. Stewart (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 100 Orchids for the American Gardener (Smith & Hawken) (Paperback)

I have found this book to be helpful in finding information regarding a specific orchid. I'm the Orchids host at BellaOnline.com and need to be able to research and become familiar with a variety of orchids. This book devotes 2 pages to each of the 100 orchids featured--one page to the growing requirements and the other to a full page color photo of the plant in bloom.

You may not be able to find the exact plant pictured, but the information included will give you a good start on finding an orchid with similar needs. If you are looking for a profile of Oncidium "Sharry Baby", you can find one here--with a nice photograph.

The first section of the book contains general information on culture, buying orchids and various locations to house your collection.