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Overview
This book concentrates on original species orchids rather than hybrid It gives straight forward advice on successful cultivation methods. There is an extensive illustrated gallery of botanical orchids with many photographs and full descriptive information of the different species.
Synopsis
The names of those early orchid hunters are preserved today in the Latin names by which the orchids they discovered are still known. In the last two decades orchids have been subject to extensive hybridisation in the search for novelty and ever more fantastic colours and shapes; indeed thousands upon thousands of hybrids have appeared. Jack Kramer concentrates on the original botanical orchids as they appeared in nature and their habitats. These orchids had waned in popularity with the introduction of the new hybrids and were also at risk in many cases of extinction as their natural habitats were despoiled and ravaged by man. Fortunately, new cloning techniques have rescued such endangered species from oblivion. This book addresses the technical needs of the novice orchid enthusiast in choosing species appropriate to the climate and facilities available, as well as guiding the beginner in the basics of orchid cultivation. ' The lesson to be learned is that you can successfully raise orchids as lo
Library Journal
A cultivation guide to "botanical orchids"--naturally occurring orchid species, not hybrids--must necessarily be precise and detailed, given the very particular growing requirements that these highly diverse plants demand. Unfortunately, horticulturist Kramer's book is filled with errors and misinformation. Kramer uses outdated taxonomy for many of the plants he describes, though for orchid growers accurate nomenclature is absolutely key to cultural success. The horticultural information he provides (especially temperature requirements) is misleading and imprecise. Evidence of poor editing are the misidentified (and in many cases, upside down) photographs, egregious errors in botanical descriptions, and incorrect addresses in the nurseries directory. The only positive feature is the photography of orchids in their natural habitats. For an authoritative introduction to growing species orchids, general readers should instead turn to Rebecca Northen's excellent Home Orchid Growing. (S. & S., 1992. 4th ed.). Not recommended.--Brian Lym, Contra Costa Coll., San Pablo, CA