Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World's Most Exotic Plants (review)

William Cullina previously published 2 well-received and award-winning books that have a focus on native plants—Wildflowers and Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. In this book, he returns to an early love of his horticultural career—orchids. Cullina, Director of Horticultural Research at the New England Wild Flower Society, at one time had about 1000 orchids, many of which were collected during trips to South America. Cullina's fascination with orchids is evident. He communicates his appreciation of them through his easy-to-read and conversational writing style. He quickly draws the reader into the fascinating world of orchids.

The book is organized in 4 parts: 1) "Setting up the Orchid Environment" covers buying your first orchid, the anatomy of the orchid, where to grow them, light, temperature, humidity and air movement, and detailed information about artificial light; 2) "Care and Feeding" reviews the basics of watering, fertilization, potting and repotting, types of mixture, mounting orchids on trees and branches, pests and diseases, and a troubleshooting guide; 3) "Orchid Reproduction" discusses hand pollination, the care of seedlings, and hybridization; and 4) "Common Orchid Genera from A to Z" features a gallery of orchids with photos and cultural information. In appendixes, information is presented on "Taxonomy and Nomenclature," "Orchids on the Web and Orchid Organizations," and "Judging and Showing Orchids."

Although Cullina has written this book for orchid enthusiasts at every level of expertise, from the absolute beginner to experienced grower to expert, I find that it will be of particular value to less experienced growers. As an orchid hobbyist myself, I find the sections on getting started including where to grow orchids, potting and dividing, and controlling pests and diseases of special value. Cullina provides an excellent overview of orchid reproduction with directions for hand pollinating, propagating, and hybridizing. His writing style is friendly, very accessible, with thoughtful, common sense explanations, and the many examples of his personal experiences are encouraging and appreciated.

A large portion of the book details the cultural requirements and rates the difficulty level of growing 100 orchid genera of potential interest to growers. Included are recommended growing conditions—window, under lights, or greenhouse—and the level of skill a grower will need to successfully work with a particular genera. Also included for each genus is the native range and number of known species. The level of detail is unusual and of particular value to growers who are looking to expand the types of orchids that are favorable to his or her growing conditions and level of expertise.

Although the book is a work of art, printed on high-quality paper with more than 200 excellent photographs, it is much more than a mere coffee-table book. The text is carefully written and full of helpful information on orchid culture, capturing the mental progression of how to go from owning one plant to a whole collection. Cullina is extremely well versed in his subject and is a skilled writer. Growers will find, however, that even the best recommendations will not work in every situation; successful orchid growing requires an understanding that is developed through trial and error under each specific growing environment.

Understanding Orchids is the most clearly written, entertaining, and informative general orchid book that I have found. I highly recommend it for both novice and advanced orchid enthusiasts.