3 comments about Wild Orchids of Texas (Corrie Herring Hooks Series).

1. The authors, a husband-wife team, combine their specialties to create an exciting experience for the reader. Joe is a biologist and photographer, and Ann is a writer. They have crafted a beautifully executed book. The writing is excellent; the photography is exquisite; the organization is wonderful; and the information is easily digestible for the lay person. The authors have spent years chasing down these delightful and beautiful orchids and now bring their beauty to you. The University of Texas Press has created a book of high quality and beauty with great color photographs. Fifty-four types of orchids are discussed and described in their natural habitats. Each of the regional sections are described and orchids living in each listed. Orchids are listed by flower color, genus and species, and scientific names. One appendix lists species distribution by county. The list of references and index add great value to the book.



2. This book is clearly a labor of love on the part of the authors, and is one that should be very useful to nature lovers in general, and both amateur and professional orchidologists. The photography is excellent, giving a feel for both the habitat and individual plants and flowers. There is only one very rare species that is not pictured. The index is well done and quite useable. The authors have done a superb job of promoting the cause of orchid conservation -- including such things as "How to Save Our Native Orchids: What You Can Do" on page 5. They have a good general discussion of orchid life cycles, their habitats, mycorhizal associations and pollenators. For those not familiar with Texas the inclusion of a vegetation map and a short description of each major vegetation type is very useful. Orchids are listed by: 1) flower colour, 2) by vegetation/habitat types, and finally species distributions by county are given. One orchid Habenaria quinqueseta does not have a distribution map, but since it was collected over 150 years ago, we shouldn't be too concerned. The only real lack that I have found is that there is no key to the genera and species given. This is an excellent book that every serious orchid species enthusiast should have in their book collection -- if only for the wonderful photography.



3. These authors really know their stuff! Lots of information to help your chances of actually observing these native beauties in the wild. Conservation is a repeated theme throughout. Texans will be blown away by the incredible photos! I love mine.

No comments about Rumphius' Orchids: Orchid Texts from "The Ambonese Herbal".

5 comments about Home Orchid Growing.

1. This book has a great deal of useful information, but about 90% of the orchid photography is in black and white. One of the joys of any orchid book is the illustrations. In this case, most of the art is not even very useful for identifying the plants, as color is so essential. Very disappointing.



2. If you're going to have one book on orchids this should be it. Vast numbers of species descriptions, beautiful color photos, and complete information on general culture as well as exhaustive details of specific cultural requirements for many varieties; AND all you'll need to know about orchid genetics, hybridization, and natural history! This has been a standard reference for me for the 28 years I've been growing orchids.



3. If I were interested in looking at pictures of orchids I'd buy a book of orchid photographs but in the 20 years I have been growing orchids, my opinion is unwavering in holding this book in the highest esteem. It was my first book on orchid growing and was always invaluable. When I lost it I didn't hesitate to buy it again as it has all the information one needs to grow any orchid and how to provide it with what it needs to bloom.



4. If colleges offered "Orchids 101", this would be the text book! Clear, concise, easy to read and understand, this book spells out all we need to know about growing orchids. Interesting sections on sowing seeds, the culture of seedling orchids, and even the dynamics behind orchid names, make this book much more than a simple 'how-to' book. It's a complete source of all you need to know. The one book to buy first, it'll probably be the only book you need.



5. I began attempting to grow orchids in my home a number of years ago. After making an absolute wretched mess of things and killing many a beautiful plant, I happened upon this book. It is one of the best purchaces I've made concerning this art, i.e. growing orchids. I must admit to having read this thing cover to cover and find myself constantly going back with each new purchase or gift of a plant. I simply could not grow the things without it! The text is quite understandable and the illustrations are concise and fit perfectly with the text. I do respectfully disagree with some other reviewers in that I actually found many of the black and white photos more helpful than color. If I wanted a book of pretty pictures I would buy it, or better yet attend one of the many, many orchid shows in the area. I wanted, and desperately needed hard information...with this book that is exactly what I got. I am sure there are other very good books out there on this subject, but this one certainly met my needs and I recommend it highly. Thank you Ms. Northen.

No comments about Botanical Orchids.

No comments about Beginner's Guide to Orchids.

No comments about Handy Pocket Guide to Orchids (Handy Pocket Guides).

3 comments about Wild Orchids Across North America: A Botanical Travelogue.

1. Memoirs and travelogues have long been a popular vehicle for sharing personal experiences on a wide variety of subjects. Most natural history tomes of this type are very general and have little specific information to generate vivid images for the reader. Not so with Philip Keenan's assemblage of more than two decades of traveling throughout most of North America in search of many of the wild orchids of that continent.

   Keenan's descriptive prose is a fitting complement for his brilliant full-color images of wild orchids taken in situ from coast to coast. Having accompanied him on many of these forays I can say that each vignette or anecdote brings me back to the day of discovery! For those who have not been there, his photographs will give you a taste of what can be waiting for you.

   Both the very rare and the frequent and familiar are treated with the same reverence and respect. For those who have lived in the Northeast the wide-spread pink lady's-slipper is still be to admired as much as the rapidly decreasing fairy-slipper. Keenan takes us to such diverse places as Newfoundland, Alaska (and its breathtaking Kodiak Island), the pinelands of New Jersey, and the open savannas of southeastern North Carolina. A few days in the 'sky islands' of southeastern Arizona yield several sought-after species. Although not a rabid 'life-lister' as are so many in various natural history fields, Keenan appreciates each new species and joins many of us in completing the study of all species within a genus.

   This volume is both an excellent addition to the native orchidist's library or a perfect gift for anyone who appreciates nature. I can think of no other book on native orchids, or wildflowers in general, that would be as ideal as a first volume to intrigue and infect someone with an appreciation for the natural world around them. PMB




2. I have had the rare satisfaction of experiencing a manuscript about orchids that would be the envy of any writer on any subject, and a pictoral feast that certainly would put Keenan right up there as the Ansel Adams of orchids when it comes to photography.And somewhere up there Rachel Carson must be smiling down and thinking ,"Well done Mr. Keenan", for, like Carson, Keenan has great concern for our voyage through time on our spaceship earth and, in a most disarming manner, alerts us to our ecological responsibilities without being overbearing about it.This is not just about orchids - it's about life.



3. Now in paperback for the first time, Wild Orchids Across North America: A Botanical Travelogue is offers detailed information concerning orchid biology, ecology, history, and conservation for nature lovers and gardeners alike. Full-color photographs throughout reveal the beauty of these wonderful flowers, making Wild Orchids Across North America a stunning visual treasury as well as a repository of information on all things orchid. The emotion that author and North American Native Orchid Alliance founding member Philip E. Keenan has for these captivating blossoms shows through in his exquisite attention to detail. Highly recommended especially for orchid lovers.

No comments about Wild Orchids in Myanmar Vol. 1: Last Paradise of Wild Orchids (Wild Orchids in Myanmar: Last Paradise of Wild Orchids).

No comments about The Little Book of Orchids (Little Book of . . .).

1 comments about Micropropagation of Orchids.

1. Excellent, This book is the best on this matter, It has the micropropagation protocols for every single kind of orchid and a good explanation step by step with charts, tables, pictures.... exceptional.