Orchid Modern

Starred review from September 1, 2019
Open this well-written, encyclopedic guide to orchids and discover the debunking of specific myths about this plant. Such as, "orchids are hot-house only." Not so! Many thrive in regular households sans conservatories or greenhouses. "Orchids can only be grown by experienced gardeners." Just follow the simple rules, and you'll have a happy plant. "Orchids need to be repotted regularly." Wrong! Just every two to three years. "Orchids demand specialized soil types." Au contraire; author Hachadourian provides two good soil recipes for the average popular orchid. Not only is Hachadourian, orchid-collection curator of the New York Botanical Garden, determined to bust out of these stereotypes, he also provides a reference wealthy with information for anyone even curious about orchids, one of the most popular horticultural crops in the world. Find historical tidbits, good health facts, and page after page of careful instructions for keeping orchids happy and healthy, diagnoses and cures for pests and diseases, seasonal to-dos, 120 easy-care orchids (both pictures and descriptions), and 10 projects with orchids at the center. Appended with resources, public gardens with orchid displays, and organizations and online forums.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)