Ultimate Orchid [Hardcover]

Thomas J. Sheehan (Author), Smithsonian Institution (Author), American Orchid Society (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Horticultural Society Practical Guides | Publication Date: October 2001

A celebration of the world's most fascinating flower. No other group of flowers captures the imagination like orchids. Found worldwide in nature, and grown by hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts, orchids have lured explorers into remote lands, inspired philosophers and artists, and provided the raw material for big business, plant breeders, and home gardeners of every stripe. Ultimate Orchid presents these magical plants in all of their splendor and diversity. In-depth coverage. Created in association with the Smithsonian Institution and the American Orchid Society, Ultimate Orchid includes more than 400 dazzling full-color photographs that present a cross-section of the orchid world. The authoritative text contains essential facts and interesting details for all of the major orchid groups. Beginners and seasoned fanciers alike will find inspiring and useful information throughout the book. A complete guide. In addition to the detailed, illustrated profiles of more than 350 orchid varieties, Ultimate Orchid includes special sections on the following: orchids in history, what makes a flower an orchid, how orchids are classified, conserving orchids in the wild, cultivating orchids at home, orchid shows and awards, and orchid collectibles. Ultimate Orchid is the ultimate guide to orchids in all their glory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ultimate' is a big word, but trust this collaboration with the Sminthsonian Institution and the American Orchid Society to be definitive and spectacular. (Dallas Morning News)

About the Author

Thomas J. Sheehan, Ph.D., is now in his 47th year as a faculty member at the University of Florida and has authored or co-authored over 350 scientific and popular articles on ornamental horticulture. He is an honorary vice-president of the American Orchid Society, a recipient of the Society's Gold Medal of Achievement (its highest honor), and is active in a number of international orchid-related organizations. The Smithsonian Institution is a center for research dedicated to public education, national service, and scholarship in the arts, sciences, and history. It maintains a substantial orchid collection in Washington, DC. The American Orchid Society has provided global leadership in orchids for more than 75 years through its publications and programs dealing with education, research, conservation, awards, and exhibitions.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789480441
• ISBN-13: 978-0789480446
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #610,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing pictures!, October 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate Orchid (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a book with great clear pictures of the
many different types of orchids this is the book for you!

It is great for Identifying the different species you see and want to know what they are.

Has some informational parts about the orchid and how it has been used over time and civilizations. GREAT BOOK!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Pictures, November 6, 2002

By 

Eric Chow (La Canada, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Orchid (Hardcover)

This book is very nice with respect to the orchid pictures they have in here. Very nice for a coffee table center piece and an excellent gift to inspire a soon to be orchid lover. They would be absolutely awestruck with their beauty and these photos bring out the best qualities in the flowers. It gives a good description but maybe a little too simple for those in the advance stages of growing. They do, though, have some nice pictures of fairly rare orchids. For example, there is a picture of a Cymbidium canaliculatum there that is absolutely beautiful (not variety sparkesii!. Growing tips are okay, but the book is more for the identification part and the enjoyment of the family Orchids.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Pictures, November 6, 2002

By 

Eric Chow (La Canada, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Orchid (Hardcover)

This book is very nice with respect to the orchid pictures they have in here. Very nice for a coffee table center piece and an excellent gift to inspire a soon to be orchid lover. They would be absolutely awestruck with their beauty and these photos bring out the best qualities in the flowers. It gives a good description but maybe a little too simple for those in the advance stages of growing. They do, though, have some nice pictures of fairly rare orchids. For example, there is a picture of a Cymbidium canaliculatum there that is absolutely beautiful (not variety sparkesii!. Growing tips are okay, but the book is more for the identification part and the enjoyment of the family Orchids.