INTRODUCTION:

I am probably the poorest choice for this assignment because I rarely read about orchids as such. That is, I'm not much for reading books that go in search of the tiniest details about certain orchids or groups of orchids. Such books usually pursue the infinite to the obscure, where the point vanishes into an intellectual black hole. With this background in mind, let me describe for you certain horticultural reading I have found to be worthwhile. Perhaps others will find something of value among these remarks, but please do not take them as my personal recommendation as to what you should read or obtain for a library. Rather, these books have contributed (or not contributed) to my personal orchid odyssey and I share memories and opinions for whatever they are worth.

BASICS:

There are only two readings of great value at the beginner level. The first is "Home Orchid Growing" by Rebecca Tyson Northen. Now in a fourth (at least) printing, any edition except the first is a good buy for a permanent library. I bought a practically new third edition a year or so ago for $12.00 at a second hand bookstore. With regret, I consigned my old second edition to the trash as it was absolutely falling apart. I still have the first edition as a sentiment, but it is not the same quality as the later editions have schieved. This book was written when Rebecca and Henry were in some academic monastery in Wyoming and the book is remarkable, given that environment, for its universal outlook and applicability. If you can have but one orchid book, this should be it and when all else fails, do it the Northen way and you will do at least reasonably well.

The second great beginner's reading is The Beginner's Handbook which appeared in the AOS Bulletin from early 1955 through mid-1957. This is not to be confused with the beginner's series started by Stephen Batchelor in the Bulletins of 1982 or so. The earlier series was far and away the best series the Bulletin ever produced. If you can obtain access to these old Bulletins, read the whole series. At one time, the set was available (from Johnson Reprint Service?) as unbound excerpts, but that is no longer the case. Hopefully, someone will scan them and make them available as a labor of love. Great material, and if you recognize some of the illustrations as the same setting as "Home Orchid Growing" pix, it is not wholly accidental. There have been discussions of bringing this series up to date and adding new material for another major effort in the Bulletin, but the time and support requirements for the project are formidable.

ENCYCLOPEDIAS:

Three orchid encyclopedias are on the current "popular" list. In order of publication, they are: "Encyclopedia of Cultivated Orchids" by AlexHawkes; "The Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species" by Bechtel, Cribb and Launert; and "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids" by Alec Pridgeon. They are of value in the order named. Until the two later books appeared, I thought Hawkes was of limited use. The danger in Hawkes is that, like a recent editor of the Orchid Digest, "if I saw it in one example it is so for the whole universe". If, however, Hawkes is used as a reference with just that little doubt always at hand, it is a very valuable work and is certainly not challenged by the other two encyclopedias mentioned. Hawkes was an interesting fellow and a study of his life and times is as interesting as many a novel. I believe I will not include any Hawkes stories here, but a libation or two during a quiet hour might bring some forth. I'd put Hawkes in my basic library and borrow the other two from somebody else.

GENERAL:

"Orchids" by Shuttleworth, Zima and Dillon is the best bargain ever in orchid library material. Originally published as a little golden books nature guide, this little paper bound treasure fits in your pocket and provides quick reference to many of the species you'll see at an orchid show. It's reprinted every now and then and the AOS bookstore usually has some when they come out. We keep several copies around and wear them out or soak them in the greenhouse. Perhaps our most-used orchid reference, we paid a buck and change for our first ones and five bucks ought to still bring one to your door postpaid. Get several - they disappear!

Finally, I would urge each of you to get one good, basic college text on botany. Something covering plants from cytology to farm production. My favorite is "Horticultural Science" by Dr. Jules Janik of Purdue, but the text is now badly out of date and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone else. At a recent Brandeis book sale, I bought a good, basic botanical text (Botany 101, or such) for $3.00. Handy quick reference when you can't remember which came first, meiosis or halitosis.

That's it. Go ahead and throw your stones, but my basic reference library would consist of "Home Orchid Growing", a reprint or scan of "The Beginner's Handbook", Hawkes' Encyclopedia, a pocketful of "Orchids" and a Botany 101 textbook. We can discuss your additions, but I'm opinionated like you wouldn't believe!

BOTANICAL BOOKS I ENJOY:

We often forget that orchids were plants a long time before they became exotic treasures in our greenhouses. What is true for most plants will be mostly true for orchids and if you do not open your mind to plant knowledge and lore you will be missing a lot that could benefit your orchid program. The plant world reflects the whole history of mankind, and one of the most popular programs I do is one discussing the plant trail that brought orchids, at last, into cultivation and into our own lives. Let me suggest a few things you might read to glimpse the magic of the horticultural world.

Certainly, I would read about the amazing people who tramped (and are tramping) the world to bring us new plants. Two good books, both titled "The Plant Hunters" are by Alice Coats and Tyler Whittle, respectively. Coats is probably the more scholarly of the two, but both are good reading. You'll meet Roetzel and Roebling and old Chinese Wilson who had to lie crosswise on a Chinese mountain trail while a burro train stepped over him and his already broken leg. There are pirates and poets, Darwin with his moth and all the wonderful people of this really weird group.

Speaking of characters, read "Frederick Sander, The Orchid King - The Record of a Passion" by Arthur Swinson. You won't learn much about Sander's list, but you'll learn how to deal with creditors, I guarantee.

Try "Beautiful Thai Orchids" by Kamemoto and Sagarik. My copy is bound in gold Thai silk. Though listed as field notes on the orchids of Thailand, this is a love story of people, their plants and their country. Read it with an open heart and it will give you a good feeling.

Read and enjoy "Orchids and Serendipity" by Hugo Freed. This is the story of Arthur Freed Orchids and sets the stage for understanding much about the orchid business today. Arthur was one of the most creative men ever born and his involvement with the classical "MGM musical" was legendary. Hugo minded the store and, though less flamboyant, was a giant (at about 5 foot 2) in his own right.

"The Secret Life of Plants" by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird lead best seller lists 25 years ago and even rated a front page mention in the Wall Street Journal. All about psychic coupling with plants. Good stuff for a dull night. Wish someone would bring the material up to date. Some interesting speculations on the transmutation of elements that fits in with some personal observations about orchids. Must read this again myself. Lots of paperbacks of this one - your second hand bookie will probably have it.

Timber Press just came out with a new printing of Merle Reinikka's "A History of the Orchid". About the best tome around for improving your depth of orchid understanding. Good reading as well from a guy who is a careful researcher and a good writer.

Hidden treasures might include Simon and Schuster's "Guide to Orchids". This is a field book format with about 250 beautiful color pictures of species and some credible advice on how to grow them. I never heard of the book until I saw a brand new copy in a second hand bookstore for just a few bucks. Bought it and stuck it away, then when I looked at it, I made a special trip back to the bookie to buy his stock, but all were gone. Really nice little book!

Another sleeper is "Field Guide to Orchids of North America" by John and Andrew Williams. 229 outstanding color plates - they look like botanical watercolors and may be - by Norman Arlott. Foreword is by Roger Tory Peterson, but this one isn't for the birds. It's a great little field guide and the illustrations are superb. Think I got mine from the AOS bookstore.

I'm not big on the AOS Handbook series, but that doesn't mean they aren't OK. It just means they rarely meet my needs. I thought Bob Webster's work to update "Orchid Pests and Diseases" was very well done. Not impressed with Charles Marden Fitch's update of Gren Seibels' work on orchid photography. Gren kept it pretty simple, Fitch was not so much help to a fumbler. No question, Fitch is the greatest orchid photographer, but I'm not and I need instructions at the idiot level.

Timber Press did another nice thing with David Grove's "Vandas and Ascocendas" book. It is pretty much special interest, but it is an honest, practical presentation of one man's highly successful method. Lots of good stuff here, and we're flattered a touch from our early work is mentioned. If you have an interest in the Vandaceous, you'll like this book and use it frequently.

Never thought I'd say it, but if I had any thoughts of getting a set of Sander's List, I wouldn't. The cost is outrageous and the set has now become terribly cumbersome to use. I love having the whole set, but mine were accumulated as they came out and the cost was spread over many years. If I were going to buy a hybrid reference today, I'd get the Wildcatt orchid data base. There are pros and cons, but this is a developing concept and I see steady improvement. Far and away the best computer product, I must admit (somewhat sadly) it is much better for the money than the Sander List. So far, Wildcatt updates have been timely and the data has been accurate - given that it is a scan from an imperfect input base.

Believe I'll stop here. I certainly am not qualified as a literary critic - even for orchid literature. I have expressed some firm opinions for you, however, because I think the group would be ill served if I pussyfooted about on what I feel. An opinion - any opinion - is set in the context of the holder, of course, so mine should not replace yours in any way. By the same token, another person's perspective may be of value in forming an initial opinion. Let's have a good discussion on Wed. night. If your opinion differs from mine, express yours openly and freely. You probably won't change my mind, nor I yours, but we can have some fun.