An expanded color insert: Orchids are such a wonderfully colorful group of plants. The color insert has gone from 8 to 32 pages of vibrant photos.
A new chapter on hardy orchids: Although most people think of orchids as being tropical delights, and most of them are, some orchids can take and actually thrive in cold climates so I include a new chapter about them.
Additional details about growing orchids under lights: You can find more information about different types of lights and my preferences and recommendations.
New online resources: Since the last edition of this book many more online resources are available.
Orchid names are in Latin or Greek, which is a challenge for most people (except your high school Latin teacher) to pronounce and remember. Don’t worry about it. Just get into these names gradually. Take some solace in knowing everyone else is struggling with them, too!
With such a complex group of plants come names and jargon to match. This aspect of orchid growing is what scares most people off. Don’t let this happen to you! They’re just names and words that scientists (more precisely, a type of botanist called a taxonomist) have assigned to plants because they had to call them something. Think of orchid names as another language that you can figure out as you go along — with my help. In this book, I simplify the jargon and explain each term in a way that is easy to understand so you can start growing your own orchids with ease.
Foolish Assumptions
In writing this book, I assume a few things about you and your experience with orchids. At least one of the following applies to you:
You’ve seen orchid plants in bloom for sale in the garden section of your local home-improvement store or garden center and you’ve always wanted to give them a try.
You purchased your first orchid and are wondering, “Now what?!”
You saw orchids at a flower show and you wonder if you can grow these exquisite flowers in your home.
You’ve had some orchids for a few years, but they don’t seem to be doing well and you can’t get them to bloom again.
You’ve grown some other houseplants successfully and are now ready to try orchids.
Icons Used in This Book
I use the following icons throughout the book to point out particularly important information:
Beyond This Book
This book is full of tips and other pieces of helpful advice you can use as you start growing and caring for your own orchids. If you want some additional tidbits of wisdom, check out the book’s Cheat Sheet at www.dummies.com. Just search for “Orchids For Dummies Cheat Sheet.”
Where to Go from Here
This book is set up in digestible, stand-alone pieces. Pick out sections that interest you most and read them first. You can bounce around in the book any way you please.
If you already have orchids but are having difficulties growing them, you may want to start out with Part 4. It gives you quick answers to common problems.
Trying to decide which orchid you should start with? Look at Chapters 2 and 15. To get jazzed about orchids, check out the color insert. And if you have an orchid that is in dire need of repotting, skip right to Chapter 7.
If you’re not sure where to begin, scan the Table of Contents or index for a topic that piques your interest, flip to the chapter, and start reading.
Part 1
Welcoming Orchids into Your Life
IN THIS PART …
Grow orchids to change your life — forever! It has for me and many people. No other plant family offers the number and diversity of breathtaking and intriguing flowers that orchids do.
Enjoying these fabulous plants used to be only for the eyes of royalty or well-heeled aristocrats.
Find out how you can buy an orchid plant in full bloom for less than you would pay for a bouquet of flowers from the florist.
Discover which orchids are less expensive and easy to grow and flower in windowsills and under artificial lights.
Join me in this part as I introduce you to this marvelous plant family. This is going to be a fun journey!
Chapter 1
Discovering the World of Orchids
IN THIS CHAPTER
You’re about to encounter a marvelous group of plants called orchids. You’re in store for an exciting adventure! This is one of the largest plant families on the planet with an estimated 30,000 wild types (species) and many more human-made varieties (known as hybrids). No other plants can compete with orchids for their power to seduce and bedazzle the most jaded plant lover with their fantastically beautiful flower colors, shapes, and textures, and heady and sensuous perfumes.
This chapter serves as your launch pad to the diverse world of orchids. They’re unparalleled in their marvelous array of flower colors and shapes not to mention their alluring, fragrances. Here I reveal some of the many mysteries of these exotic plants.
Understanding What Makes an Orchid an Orchid