PRE-DISCUSSION MAILOUT: SURVEY RESULTS
Good Show!! ...seventeen people answered the survey. Thanks to all of you who took the time to answer a less than perfect survey. Some answered every question, some just answered a few, but every answer is important. Look these over in preparation for Wednesday night's chat.
1. Northen's Home Orchid Growing won the nod as the all time favorite orchid book with six votes.
All of the other choices had only one vote each, except Bechtel, Lanert, Cribb's Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species with two votes.
Nina Rach is still 'mulling' over her answer. *G*
2. The best orchid culture book is also Northen's Home Orchid Growing with five votes.
Our own Bob Gordon got two votes for his Culture of the Phalaenopsis Orchid as did the Baker's Orchid Species Culture - Dendrobiums.
Steve Moss wants us to know that "Boca ain't got no culture!!!"
3. Most of us want EVERY orchid book that has ever been published.
Magda Plewinska puts it this way, "If it is in print, and I want it I get it."
One book received four votes, Orchid Species Culture - Dendrobiums by the Bakers.
Those books that received two votes each were:
Withner's The Cattleyas and Their Relatives, Volumes I through IV;
Arditti's Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives Volumes I through VI;
Escobar's Native Columbian Orchids Volumes I through V;
The Pictorial Encyclopedia of Oncidium edited by Mark Chase;
Native Orchids of Belize by McLeish, Pearce and Adams;
Gordon's Orchid Seedling Culture.
4. The most popular subjects for new orchid books proposed by our group were:
orchid genetics (some replies in detail);
conservation of orchid species;
flasking; greenhouse/shadehouse design;
breeding behavior by species;
more information on pests and their control;
culture culture culture.
Magda asks, "Which came first the orchid or the pollinator?"
Mary Lois Greer wants a Genetics for Dummies with a full section on polyploidy for dummies. And we had two suggestions for more orchid history,
Ed Wright especially would like someone to address the subject of the important orchid people of the 20th century 'we are letting a whole generation get away from us'. Also suggested is a history of orchids from the standpoint of the great commercial orchid establishments.
ADDED: There's a lot of memory out there! Let's start a project of names of establishments, owners/managers names, and the clonal names used by the establishment! Need a volunteer to receive all this information...and I'll bet Ed's arm could be bent to do a bit of editing...mlg
5. The AOS is the favorite on-line source of books, with Botana a close second. Many of us do not buy our books over the net, as Magda said she.....'wants to SEE them first.'
6. Botana won the on line book source.
7. The AOS bookstore shared first place with Timber Press as the other source of new books. "Wherever I can find them," said Guy Cantor, which is probably the way we all buy orchid books.
8. Many of us have favorite used book sources, Mary Noble McQuerry recieved two votes. Our small local used book stores received the most votes, but all are different. Not many answers here, Secrets???? We aren't like those orchid collectors of old who hid the sources of their 'finds', or are we?
9. We are a very close-mouth group when it comes to stories of book acquisitions; some have secrets and some think that they are 'boring'. Maybe during the discussion we can dig up some goodies on this subject???
Recent find added:
Koeltz Scientific Books
P.O.Box 1360
D-61453 Koenigstein / Germany
Fax: National 0 6174 937240 /International 49 6174 937240
Phone: National 06174 93720/ International 49 6174 93720
E-Mail: koeltz@ibm.net
Internet: http://www.koeltz.com
10. Our public libraries are apparently too busy buying the latest trashy best-sellers to invest in good orchid literature. The replies read like a thesaurus of terms meaning zilch. Here goes:
What collection?
Out of date,
pitiful,
miserable,
nil,
fair but reasonable,
quite good (how did that get in here?),
miniscule, fair, only fair,
mostly old general interest,
non-existent, low, abyssmal,
and this quote from Nina that pretty well sums it up for most public libraries, "Our local public library? Ha Ha Ha ! Nonexistent collection, even at the main branch in downtown Houston. Amazing, considering that
there are 5 million people in this city, and we have a big orchid society."
Kathy Barrett admits that she "never looked, I suppose I should." I admit to this also, Kathy. - Jane
11. Everyone agreed that a good library is essential for the local orchid society.
"An extensive library with a dependable librarian would be a great asset," said Mary Lois "I believe the largest problem in this coming to be at most societies is the lack of a secure place to store the books...no one wants to drag dozens of books back and forth." She also notes that a good basic library is essential for the society hosting an AOS show.
12. The Maryland Native Plant Society holds an impressive collection of 800 volumes, which has been praised by employees of the Congessional Library, reveals our OS member, who is also the librarian of this magnificent collection, and John Yates tells us that his society..." has a very good and large library"; however, most orchid societies have only fair libraries, problems mentioned are
the lack of continuity in librarians,
theft or 'prolonged borrowing periods',
and the problem of safe storage mentioned above.
Note: A local orchid society has its collection housed in the small city library. The books are available to the Society members and the public during all the regular hours that the library is open. Study areas are also available for using those books that are reference only. This Society believes that they are fufilling their obligation to educate and solving their storage and access problems. Some large cities have huge library systems, so this may not be feasible because the 'collection' would be all over the place and research would be difficult if some of the books you needed were in another branch.
ADDED: The foregoing is a fantastic idea well worth looking into!...mlg
13. Everyone seems to think that books are here to stay, no one, as much as we LOVE our computers, wants to 'curl up with a good computer'.
Nina always carries a book with her.
Bob Gordon has..."all the computer technology I can use, but still prefer to read books."
Aaron Hicks believes that the future of publishing is in the..."small publishers aimed at very narrow groups" (WHO, US???) and that "desk top publishing will become critical to the dissemination of highly specific knowlege."
John says emphatically, "Nothing can take the place completely of a good book." (ex-librarian speaking!!!)"
14. Almost all of us think that our personal library is like oxygen, without it we can not live. Most of us admit to using our library on a daily basis for pleasure and for research.
15. The periodicals that we subscribe to in order of popularity (all listed, in case there is one you don't get but would if you knew about its existence)"
Orchids,
Orchid Digest,
Awards Quarterly,
Lindleyana,
North American Native Orchid Journal,
Orchids Australia,
Orchid Review,
South African Orchid Journal,
IPS,
Maxillaria Tribe,
Orchadian,
Pleurothallid Alliance,
The Orchid Advocate,
The Phalaenopsis Newsletter.
And a new publication that Mary Lois subscribes to called 'Many'. *G*
16. I would like to have a cd with all of the AOS Bulletins on it.
Orchid books are essential, but the ORCHID Plant is where it starts.
Fear that the Sanders will be discontinued.
"As a member of the Garden Writers of America and as an orchid researcher, I write articles for Journals based on my experience and experiments. In order to make presentations to orchid societies, I must
have sources of information other than my own and this I get from a variety of sources which nowadays include books, periodicals, the Web, personal communication via e-mail. etc." Marilyn Light
"We mainly use books for reference and your survey did not provide the question: What is your most valuable reference book? We constantly use (in this order) Hawkes, Bechtel/Cribb, Pridgeon." Also they use the monographs on particular genera or locations to 'take up where the above leave off' Greg Allikas".
"Survey is a great idea." Cycnodes
"Here in Australia we don't have access to books as readily so it's hard to get them, or even see what they are like. I bought the Bakers' book sight unseen and it took 3 months to arrive via sea mail. I would like to see a site with independent reviews of books" - Guy Cantor
Waiting for the well mulled comments from Nina. *G*
"Blue is my favorite color." Aaron Hicks
TRANSCRIPT
Orchid Literature
Present were 23: Native Heart (Jane D.) paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida) Native Heart (Jane D.) Carol Holdren (Boca Raton, FL) paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida) Native Heart (Jane D.) bmtorchids (Barbara) Native Heart (Jane D.) sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) Native Heart (Jane D.) bmtorchids marilyninOttawa marylois Native Heart (Jane D.) graphicgreg (Greg in Balmy WPB) Native Heart (Jane D.) Camille-vanda (Camille in North Miami FL) nodosa (Ed in SAT) Native Heart (Jane D.) marilyninOttawa nodosa (Ed in SAT) marilyninOttawa Native Heart (Jane D.) marylois sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) mplewinska (Magda from Miami) sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) mplewinska (Magda from Miami) sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) Carol Holdren (Boca Raton, FL) marylois graphicgreg (Greg in Balmy WPB) marylois sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) Native Heart (Jane D.) maurelius mplewinska (Magda from Miami) [Must add Cribb's The Genus Paphiopedilum, and Koopowitz/Hasegawa,
The Slipper Orchids...mlg] graphicgreg (Greg in Balmy WPB) KB Barrett (Kathy in N. Calif.) graphicgreg (Greg in Balmy WPB) marilyninOttawa EquitantMan Native Heart (Jane D.) nodosa (Ed in SAT) gaillevy Richard in West Palm Beach Best part of the Thai book is that the botanical name is given and also
the local name -- written in both the Roman alphabet and in Thai. Very helpful
when you are trying to explain a flower to someone whose English is limited. gaillevy Carol Holdren (Boca Raton, FL) Native Heart (Jane D.) Carol Holdren (Boca Raton, FL) yoshiko2 KB Barrett yoshiko2 [Sorry to have missed this, Yoshiko! If by "warmth-tolerant"
variety, you mean Cym. Golden Elf and other ensifolium hybrids - they want
to stay 60 degrees Fahrenheit and above at all times. I never chill Golden
Elf, Florida Flamingo, or my ensifolium species. On the Chinese cyms, do
a search on the net - some good articles out there. Also some good standard
cym info from the Du Puy and Cribb The Genus Cymbidium, and at Orkology marilyninOttawa NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) marilyninOttawa Native Heart (Jane D.) Marg and Charlie marilyninOttawa bmtorchids marilyninOttawa Orchid Review, RHS Subscription Service, PO Box graphicgreg (Greg in Balmy WPB) EquitantMan (Mat from Ventura, CA) KB Barrett (Kathy in N. Calif.):. . . marylois VOLUME 62, NO. 2-April-May-June, 1998 FEATURES LEPANTHES CARLO A. BALISTRIERI CATTLEYA HORACE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE JOEL CLARK IN MEMORIAM: ROBERT F. METZLER DIGEST STAFF BREEDER'S CHOICE, NEW INTRODUCTIONS IN ORCHID HYBRIDIZING DIGEST STAFF
THE GENUS CYPRIPEDIUM-PART II JOHN DOHERTY A NEW WHITE SOBRALIA FROM COSTA RICA ROBERT L. DRESSLER ORCHID WONDER FROM DOWN UNDER DIGEST STAFF FRONT COVER: The cover illustrates the bounty of bloom from hybrids of Carol Holdren (Boca Raton, FL) bmtorchids nodosa (Ed in SAT) marylois graphicgreg (Greg in Balmy WPB) marylois EquitantMan (Mat from Ventura, CA) Native Heart (Jane D.) [Our own Ed Wright made that suggestion!...mlg] NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) Carol Holdren (Boca Raton, FL) KB Barrett (Kathy in N. Calif.) graphicgreg (Greg in Balmy WPB) NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) nodosa (Ed in SAT) KB Barrett (Kathy in N. Calif.) nodosa (Ed in SAT) EquitantMan (Mat from Ventura, CA) Marg and Charlie Native Heart (Jane D.) Marg and Charlie Native Heart (Jane D.) Marg and Charlie Native Heart (Jane D.) NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) gaillevy Marg and Charlie Carol Holdren (Boca Raton, FL) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) Native Heart (Jane D.) Jane5536 (Jane5536) gaillevy Camille-vanda (Camille in North Miami FL) gaillevy Camille-vanda (Camille in North Miami FL) Native Heart (Jane D.) Marg and Charlie sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) EquitantMan (Mat from Ventura, CA) paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida) Native Heart (Jane D.) NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) nodosa (Ed in SAT) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) Marg and Charlie (Greg in Balmy WPB) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) Native Heart (Jane D.) [We are starting with a less strenuous agenda - Kathy is collecting names
of nurseries, locations, trivia and clonal names used, and Ed has agreed
to edit...forward this data to Kathy orwell@ccnet.com
...mlg] EquitantMan (Matt from Ventura, CA) [Guess I was the only one mentioning Bechtel, Cribb, Launert's The
Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species which I love for it's organization...mlg] (Greg in Balmy WPB Marg and Charlie bmtorchids Marg and Charlie John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) Marg and Charlie John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) Marg and Charlie marylois mplewinska (Magda from Miami) NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) marylois mplewinska (Magda from Miami) graphicgreg (Greg in Balmy WPB):. . mplewinska (Magda from Miami) Marg and Charlie Native Heart (Jane D.) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) (Greg in Balmy WPB) Marg and Charlie Native Heart (Jane D.) sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) marylois (Greg in Balmy WPB) NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) Native Heart (Jane D.) (Greg in Balmy WPB) Marg and Charlie >Native Heart (Jane D.) sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) maurelius NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) marylois sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) harold6820 (Farmers Branch, TX) maurelius bmtorchids (Greg in Balmy WPB) EquitantMan (Matt from Ventura, CA) Native Heart (Jane D.) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) gaillevy Marg and Charlie gaillevy Ann12 John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) Marg and Charlie EquitantMan (Matt from Ventura, CA) Marg and Charlie KB Barrett (Kathy in N. Calif.) KB Barrett (Kathy in N. Calif.) mplewinska (Magda from Miami) Native Heart (Jane D.) marylois Koeltz ScientificBooks P.O.Box 1360, D-61453 Koenigstein / Germany Fax: National 0 6174 937240 / International 49 6174 93720 E-Mail: koeltz@ibm.net NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida) John.c.yates (John in SOGGY Arcadia, CA) fulcrum5 Maurelius fulcrum5 KB Barrett (Kathy in N. Calif.) Marg and Charlie Marg and Charlie Native Heart (Jane D.) NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) Jane, I would worry about
books not being returned by the general public. ...or does the public have
access to the collection? mplewinska (Magda from Miami) maurelius NativeOrchid (Carol, Darnestown, Maryland) marylois Marg and Charlie Native Heart (Jane D.) maurelius Marg and Charlie Native Heart (Jane D.) maurelius KB Barrett (Kathy in N. Calif.) maurelius EquitantMan (Matt from Ventura, CA) marylois Evlyn marylois mplewinska (Magda from Miami) Native Heart (Jane D.) bmtorchids Native Heart (Jane D.) paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida) sable97d [Sable, sounds like sooty mold - damp conditions is culprit. The fix:
wash off all black from leaves and stems with a soft cloth dipped in Ivory
suds. Sometimes you can rinse off the flowers too - if not, cut off. Prevention:
Air movement, perhaps a bit more heat...I get it quite often on dendrobiums
especially...mlg]
Jane Depadro
WBS, Wed 26 Mar 98
sparkysteve
marilyninOttawa
graphicgreg
nodosa
paulav
knudy
JR000
Camille-vanda
Evlyn
bmtorchids
marylois
AndyNVA
Jane5536
BCPRESS
fulcrum5
RichardinWestPalmBeach
maurelius
yoshiko2
mplewinska
sable97d
NativeHeart
gaillevy
CarolHoldren
Barbara and Paula, what is YOUR favorite orchid book of all time? and why
Jane, my favorite orchid book, in fact I call it the "Orchid Bible", is
Rebecca Northen's Home Orchid Growing.
Paula, that was the winner by far, and my personal favorite also.
I was surprised that Northen was the #1 book. I thought something else more
fancy would have been picked.
Carol, Northen's book touches on most of the important orchid topics, and
it includes photos, history, science, etc.
My original Northen is water marked and smells like pesticides and has blue
pages from Peter's fertilizer, I think that I slept with that book for the
first five years. And I always compare my flowers to the pix too!!!!
Jane, my Northen's book is a signed copy, so I only read it here in my library.
But my little Simon & Schuster's Guide to Orchids, that I take it to
the green house. Now you mention it, I never did answer your question thru
the newsletter. I'm totally book nuts. Each and every book about Orchids
and Bonsai, I buy. I use them all, can't say I favorite any one in particular.
However, I do use the ones with good pictures more often.
Barbara, I would take very good care of that book!! How nice to have her
autograph.
Jane, I just like to look at pictures.
Barbara, Richard F. who is in Jamaica at the show there, ALSO prefers pictures!!!
The new Pictorial Encyclopedia of Oncidium has LOTS of pixs
great book!
Jane, when I was new to the orchid, I alway need to look at a pix, so I
know what I'm looking for. Now I still like to see the pix, to find out
if my bloom live up to it name.
[That's why it's soooo nice to get the Awards Quarterly! Anything that's
been awarded is there with full description and measurements!...mlg]
My first book, A Golden Guide to Orchids still is a neat reference. The
second I read was a disaster although it did not appear so to my novice
eyes. I believed every word and so ended up with some kinds I should never
have purchased, given my growing conditions. I now find that I am referring
to virtual resources more and more as no one book can supply it all and
so quickly.
Marilyn, I agree on the little "Golden Book" - I have two editions and, of
course, the first one was my first orchid book.
Marilyn, that "Golden Guide" is just like a bird watcher's book, perfect size,
so handy!
So, Jane, the birthday fairy brought me the two books on my wish list last
week, Dunsterville and the Japanese Brazilian Orchids...great books.
Greg, YOU HAVE MORE BIRTHDAYS!!!! Does Kathy really think you were born
two times every year??? Everytime I talk to you it is your birthday SMART!!!!!
Can someone suggest good books for Vanda? Have already read Motes new book.
Camille - get David Grove's book on Vandas and Ascocendas. The best by far
in my estimation.
Yes, a good book on Vanda is Groves book, Vandas and Ascodendas and their
combinations with other genera.
We often consider new books first but I jump at the opportunity to acquire
and read old "Bulletins" or other dated periodicals. The old folks *G* knew
a thing or two!
Marilyn - thanks from the old folks! I think my first article appeared in
the "Bulletin" about 30 years ago. I miss those old basic culture articles.
No slick pix but lots of hard earned experience.
Jane. Did anyone mention the Proceedings of past World Orchid Conferences?
I find the few I have an endless source of information.
Yes, Marilyn, Marylois HAS THEM ALL BUT ONE!!!! [Orchid Conference Proceedings)
Yes, Marilyn - I'm missing the one from the Japan 12WOC (1987) - if anyone
EVER gets a line on a copy, please let me know! [I lied! Also missing 4WOC
(1963), Singapore, Malaysia - in the market for both the 4th and 12th!...mlg]
Anyone hear of When Does it Flowerr?
I don't even remember where I got When Does It Flower?. Probably at
Fairchild. I guess I forgot to mention that as one of my favorite sources
of garden books.
Does every Floridian have a copy of C. Leur's book??????
[The Native Orchids of Florida and The Native Orchids of the
United States and Canada...mlg]
Sparky - of course - he's our native son.
Magda---I think you mean vice versa---we are his children!!!!!
What book do you all recommend on Cattleyas?
For Cattleyas (and their relatives :-) you cannot beat the Withner series.
However, I was expecting much more on Encyclia and Epidendrum in the 4th!
I have read both Braem and Fowlie cover-to-cover many times and Fowlie's
The Brazilian Bifoliate Cattleyas and their color varieties is by far
the best book on that subject.
Yes, I like the Fowlie books too - but for a good basic look, I still like
Withner...just like the best basic dendrobium is Stewart/Schelpe, and Paphs
Hennesey/Hedge. The main reason I like these books is their continuity!
Says the same thing about all species mentioned in the same order. In the
beginning, I need that!
Rentoul's collection are some interesting books too!
I like the Cash book on Paphs too! Would like to mention, since many mentioned
the need for a good book on flasking that Aaron Hicks (our AJHICKS) has
a book on the way on flasking. Timber will be bringing it out soon.
Jane, Cash's book on Slippers is my favorite, too.
I like the pictures in Hennessy better, though.
Jane, I did not offer this on your survey, but I NEVER go into the field
without the Golden Guide to Orchids. I also have a NEWS FLASH ! Sunset Books
[Ortho Book] has finally redone their book on orchids, I know because it
has about 35 of my pix in it. I received a copy last week and it will make
an excellent addition to the orchid library as a source of basic information.
Look for it at booksellers soon !
I'm glad Sunset finally reworked their orchid book. I was very disappointed
with it when I first started out. It raised more questions than it answered.
The Ortho book answered more questions for me, and so I latched onto it.
Hey Kathy, The new Sunset book is not without a few minor errors but a marked
improvement... I'm sure gonna miss that woman with the beehive hairdo on
the back of the old one tho.
Has anyone seen the Laelias of Mexico by Halbinger and Soto? Comprehensive,
great pics, and thoughts on hybrids, all in one modest-sized volume.
My favorite book as a reference for species is The Manual of Orchids, by
Joyce Stewart from the RHS
Well, there are two new goodies for our libraries, Sunset's orchid book
with Greg's outstanding photography and Aaron's flasking book.
Lois, I agree re Fowlie books. Nice, but some of the conclusions come from
suspiciously few examples. If you want a treat, check Beautiful Thai Orchids.
A field note piece that shows tremendous love and respect for native plants.
Early editions have a pure silk cover that is luxurious.
Jane be sure to keep track so we can tell our new librarian which books
we want to order. There is also a new Catasetum book due soon, The World
of Catesetums by Arthur Holst.
On the recommendation of a prof from Kasetsart U in Bangkok. I picked up
a couple of copies of A Field Guide To The Wild Orchids of Thailand in
Bangkok. It is great! Beautiful photos of most of the cultivated species
from Thailand, some with color variants also pictured.
I want a book full of Bulbo pictures, any suggestions?
[Still open for Bulbo suggestions!...mlg]
Selby Gardens has a great book store, too.
I guess we have covered the favorite book category, or really we could just
discuss it all night, favorite culture books just dovetail and overlap,
but no one mentioned one of my favorites, Reinikka's, A History of the Orchid.
Lois recommended A History of The Orchid to me, I bought and read it and
I love it.
Would anyone know of a good reference for growing cymbidiums? I'm trying
to find out if the new warmth tolerant variety need a change in temperature
to set bud and flower.
Yoshiko, I have the cymbidium book by the Guests. My main problem with it
is its written for the southern hemisphere, so you have to adjust for the
season differences. Otherwise its just OK. More info probably could be had
by looking up past articles in the AOS magazine.
Thanks for the information, Kathy. I'll look up the book.
The Genus Cymbidium is a "must" book for cym growers ..mlg]
For those of you who subscribe or have access to the Orchid Review, one
of my articles has just been published in the March/April issue. Pollinating
Disas and Raising Seedlings. They did a marvellous job with the photos!
Orchid Review is one of my favorite periodicals!
There will be more of my articles to come Jane. Part of a series on the
Nature of Orchids. The next should be 'Forever Blooming' but I am not certain
which issue.
I will have to subscribe to the Review. It is such a respected journal,
good for you Marilyn.
Do they take credit cards yet?
Hello, Marg and Charlie. Yes. The Orchid Review is now published by the
Royal Horticultural Society and they accept Mastercard at least.
I used to subscribe to Orchid Review, it's been a long time. where can I
get the current issue with the Disa article?
[Unless someone has another suggestion, write the review and ask to buy
that specific issue - I know one can do that for issues of Orchid Digest...mlg]
Orchid Review subscription is 24.95 pounds Sterling and can be paid through
Visa, Diner's Club, American Express, Mastercard. Airmail is 10 pounds extra.
Send subscription to:
38, Ashford, Kent TN25 6PR England
Peter, I am putting together a group of all Phal pix for the next update
to the photo archive...May 1st. There have been a lot of nice Chinese hybrids
awarded here in the past weeks
Any of you who are not subscribers to the
Orchid Digest are really missing out.
Orchid Digest is good! I just got my first copy of Orchids of Australia,
haven't had time to read it yet.
Amen on Orchid Digest! Good, and consistently getting better! I'll give
you an advance on this issue's contents:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Survey of This Fascinating Genus.
The Hybridizing History of This Remarkable Grex.
A Tribute to an Accomplished Orchid Luminary.
Review of Current Hybridizing Trends.
The Symbiotic Relationship Between Mycorrhizal Fungi and Cypripedium.
Taxonomical Description of Sobralia kerryae.
Promoting the 1998 Asian Pacific Orchid Conference.
Cattleya aurantiaca for winter-spring season. Top: Laeliocattleya El
Cerrito, center: Lc. Chit Chat 'Tangerine' HCC/AOS, bottom: C.
aurantiaca. To 1992 over 200 hybrids have been registered from C.
aurantiaca. Photograph: © Charles Marden Fitch.
Thanks, Lois, I'm impressed!
Lois, you made my mouth water.
Lois, we still grow C. Horace 'Maxima' from a piece of the original plant.
I gave a piece to Wilton Guillory and he had it virus tested and it came
out clean as a pin. Unusual for Horace.
Fantastic! I have a piece of the awarded C. Ranger Six 'A-OK' - but it is
having a hard time adapting from the pristine quarters provided by Bill
Maxwell while he was in Fresno. :-[
Lois, do you have the subscription info for Orchid Digest? I haven't subscribed
for years and my issues are out of date.
Greg - I'll mail you a trifold tomorrow with the subscription form and data.
Also, you can get order information at the Orchid Digest website.
MaryLois - Who's on the back cover? I love that feature. [Jan-Feb-Mar issue it was Robert Dressler...mlg]
Who was it that suggested a history book on the orchid greats of the 20th
century, Orchid Digest is making a start with their back covers, love that
feature!!! It is so great to read about the movers and shakers of the orchid
world.
I like Orchids Australia, too and the Orchadian
Kathy, I'd be interested in what you think of Orchids of Australia.
Carol, my inital reaction is to flip to the back to check the ads!! But
of course they don't apply here! So now I have to limit myself to reading
it solely for the articles, (much like how my old college buddies read Playboy
*G*)
Carol, Orchids Australia is EXCELLENT...kind of like the AOS Bulletin used to
be. Lots of pictorial surveys of genera, lots of show coverage. I have a
bunch of issues here if you want to look. From what I understand, Colin
Hamilton edits that as a part time job...i.e., he has a regular day job.
AMAZING !
Is anyone familiar with Orchid Care by Walter Richter? ....great line
drawings!
Another interesting orchid history book is The Orchid King which tells
of the Sanders firm.
Ed, a Theresa Hill just mentioned that book in a talk she gave to our group.
It's a good one, eh?
It's a good one, Kathy, but rare. I've had mine a long time. I was stationed
once at RAF Chicksands Priory which is just down the road from St. Albans
and the Sander offices. The book leads into friendships I made there, so
it is doubly enjoyable.
Thank You, Ed, yes! The Orchid King a great book to learn about when orchids
were first being cultivated and the struggles they had. Also extensive notes
about the large collecting in South America and Asia.
I'm in the process of trying to purchase some Maylayan Orchid Reviews and
it's a hassle of the first order!
Marg and Charlie, just got your books from AOS, LOVE them, they were on
a lot of 'want lists' in the survey.
Native heart, Thanks! Hope they're what you wanted.
Yes, I have been drooling over them for a time, and they are MORE than what
I ever hoped for. WHAT DETAIL!!!!! incredible. I wish someone would do it
for all the Genera.......you have 'job security' *G*
Jane, you're right ... now if they only paid the cost of our research! LOL
Marge and Charlie, it is such a worthwhile endevour, some other organizations
may be interested in funding partially, National Geographic, etc, what about
the government programs on the environment and such?????
How about the AOS doing some funding?!
If AOS had money to spend, we wouldn't be donating benches for their new
building!
Jane, We've toyed with the possiblity, but we aren't association with an
institution and we don't have degrees in the field, so I think it would
be a waste of time.
I have the Baker's books and they are great!
Has anyone heard of Orchids are Easy to Grow by Logan and Cosper? I cut
my orchid teeth (sorry Kathy) on that one and I still have it, soiled and
all!!
I've seen Orchids Australia at Milton Carpenter's house, they are great!
The Orchid Review is terrific too. We have skipped ahead to periodicals,
let's keep on with them.
I often like to get out an oldie - Orchids of Papua New Guinea by Andree
Millar.
Camille, do you belong to any Orchid Society in Miami? I go down to Fairchild
to the Coalition for Orchid Species. This is an unpaid advertisement, the
3rd Monday of the month!!!
Gaillevy. No local societies yet, but plan to join Gold Coast in N Miami.
They meet just down the street.
Good group, Camille, their President also comes to our group Tim Seay.
Gaillevy - my husband and I met Tim at a couple of orchid sales.
Thanks everyone, this chat is chuck full of information!!!!!
Regarding Orchid History... Robert Hamilton did some small research papers
that the AOS book dept. was selling. He is the author of The Orchid Doctor
and the compilation of the bloom season for orchid species.
No one mentioned Mary Noble's little paperbacks full of starter info!!!
I don't think anyone mentioned the Encyclopedia of Cultivated Orchid Species.
That book is so indispensible with all of the pictures.
Matt, that's another great book!
Matt, several people mentioned Hawkes book.
Hawkes is my number one favorite. I'd be lost with out it!
Is that the Hawkes book, Matt? There was one of the really interesting people
of orchids. He also edited a magazine on gourmet cooking. Wish we could
tell Alex Hawkes stories - most of them are a treat for lovers of orchid
lore.
Yes Ed, Alex was a most interesting person and so was Fowlie who entertained
our society frequently. We miss him!
John, We miss Fowlie too. Who else will fight over species splitting the
way Jack did. :) The Paph book we've done with Guido Braem is dedicated
to Jack. It seemed appropriate since we couldn't have done much without
his dedication to habitat information.
John, you were lucky to know Fowlie. I had the pleasure of meeting Fordyce
Marsh at the last WOC and egged him into telling me a few stories.
Greg - Fordyce can be a real kick in the pants at times. And yes his stories
of the trips with Fowlie are priceless. Fowlie would do anything!!!!
Maybe you could put together a little bio, Ed, on Hawkes and John, do one
on Fowlie. I would love to read them. There are so many people who have
done so much, the list is endless. someone suggested a history of the great
orchid nurseries. What a wonderful book THAT would be. Come on writers,
I will buy it and so would we all, right??????
The new Stewart's catalog has a good write up on the history of Armacost
and Royston and Stewarts.
And folks, last year a few of us were saying that it would be great to be
able to get behind the doors of Sun Bulb. Check out the O
zone April 1st for a virtual tour of Sun Bulb Co.
Another superb beginner book is the one put out by the Oregon Orchid Society.
It's titled Your first orchids and how to grow them. A good overview of
many genera.
Marg and Charlie, the Oregon Society's book was my of my first orchid book
when I started subscribing to the AOS Bulletin. Very useful book.
bmt-It was our first book, too!
If anyone wants information in the introduction of orchid species, try to
look at the old English manuals by Williams, Veitch etc. I have never enjoyed
history more than reading these and I am a history major!! They are impossible
to but unless you have Gates' money but some libraries might allow you to
read them but not take them out. The Veitch book (2 vols) was
reprinted some time ago.
John, aren't Veitch and Williams fun. We would be lost without Veitch, he
often has info we can't find anywhere else. And besides, it's in English.
:)
Marg and Charlie - I can't tell you how often I look at those books and
NEVER get tired of doing so. Yes, English is great when you do not even
read another language VBG
John, English is especially great when you have to translate all those other
languages just to figure out what a plant looks like or where it grows.
Now that is SLOW!!!
If you want a primer for building a COMPLETE library, get Patsy Webster's
The Orchid Genus Book (available from AOS), it lists references for each
genus with full bibliography in back.
Lois. I have the genus book. The references make my head spin.
John, I really love Orchids from the Botanical Registet. Do you know it?
It's a new reprint.
AOS has it, Carol?
John, found it! #463 goes for $140.00!
Oh, oh! If it's bragging time, I'm real proud of my Orchids of the Botanical
Register - have the two volume set and the leather-bound/boxed volume as
well. Also, very pleased with 6 volume set of Dunsterville's Venezuelan
Orchids.
Lois, I've never figured out how the Dunsterville is organized. Each book
seems to have the species listed alphabetically, but beyond that? Did they
just list them as they popped into their heads?
Magda, I have not fully explored the Dunsterville book but it appears as
if it is a stream of consciouness affair. The chapters are actually reprints
of AOS articles. He sure was a good story teller.
Lois and Greg - well, it makes me feel better that others can't figure it
out, either.
Magda, that's about it with Dunsterville and Garay. It was published a lot
like the current Icones are, but it was bound as a book instead of being
loose sheets.
Nite, Richard. John, it would be great to see those books and read them,
I hope the new AOS headquarters will make them available to use as reference
books. What treasures the old things are.
Jane - that is a good thought for you Floridians!! I have looked at the
Botanical Register and have Williams 6th as well as the Veitch reprint.
I wish that I had more.
The AOS has wonderful old books...but you have to be God to see them.
Jane, One source of fun reading is the old Gardener's Chronicle. It was
a periodical published is England, and the descriptions and discussions
and reports of new finds and explorations are WONDERFUL!
Question four was what do you want to see in print? Genetics for Dummies
sounds like a winner, Lois. Genetics was top answer. All of the judges want
comprehensive information on WHAT DOES THIS SPECIES DO IN A CROSS???????
greenhouse/shadehouse next, pests, and Magda asked the chicken or the egg
question, in which came first the pollinator or the flower?
When will we see 'Orchids for Dummies'?
One book with absolutely gorgeous black and white line drawings is the 2
vols of Orchids of Guatemala by Ames and Correll. As you can imagine the
descriptions are tremendous!
I have the Guatemala pair as well John...and the 5 volume Native Colombian
Orchids. And, Jane - I'm with you on the two Luer tomes. That's the trouble!
Too many are indispensible!
You're right John, the Ames & Correll is good. I took it to Belize last
fall and identified most of the plants we saw, albeit slowly due to the
botanical terms of which I only know about half .
marylois, I really like the Native Colombian Orchid books. I reference them
all the time. They are not mine, but one of the perks of being an orchid
librarian is good access to great books!
Yes, Greg, that does slow one down but it is very useful even for armchair
travelers like me!!
Greg, you slogged around with two hard cover books looking at orchid plants????
I remember that you said there were few in bloom, THAT took some attention
to detail.
Heck no Jane ! The two volumes are available as a nifty large novel-sized
paperback
Jane, Yes. He was working on the layout. I think it's going to be an excellent
book, of course, I may be biased......Do you think?
NAHHHHHH!
I didn't hear a word about Alec Pridgeon's book---excellent pictures!!!!
Pridgeon has some 'interesting' mistakes, but is still a good book.
Carol, what mistakes are you refering to?
There are several pictures that are mislabled. I read a review just recently
- can't remember where - that really panned it. I don't think its all that
bad! I use it all the time.
Yes - even I found a couple errors - but they seem to be printer's errors
where the wrong name is put on the opposite pictures.
And Pridgeon's book was quite reasonable!!!
That is my bible, Sparky.
I see the Pridgeon book on sale at every orchid nursery; every one must
own a copy. grin.
I use Pridgeon's book often, nice pix, info too brief.
Hey Steve, I think that Hawkes, Pridgeon and Bechtel/Cribb are all givens....we
all use them. I think we all do ? I never use just one reference (or one
cookbook) but compare data from several.
Has anyone ever seen a used bookstore online?
Some of us purchase books on line, the AOS and Botana are our favorite sites,
there is Amazon and a new one that Mary Lois sent to me, that I lost.
Botana even called me on the phone about my order to be sure that they had
it straight!! I will definitely do business with them again.
There is Balogh also, they were very nice to us on the Bulbo book, gave
us a good discount.
Gaillevy, What Bulbo book?
The Orchids of Borneo Vol II, all bulbos. It was $70 at AOS and I think
we got it from them for $45, or $40 can't remember, there were 5 of us.
She is very nice.
There are lots of used bookstores online. They consume much of my spare
time and money.
Yes. there is one in Australia that I contacted but were not very helpful.
One of the best general used book sites is Powells. Don't remember the URL,
but it's online. The physical book store covers a full block, 3 stories.
A reason to come to Oregon all by itself.
Marge and Charlie, I've been to Powell's it is impressive!
Gailley, Ok, we have it. I doubt if we could have finished the Dendrobium
book without Pam's help. She didn't know me at all, but she loaned me some
of her personal references. It was above and beyond the call of duty!!!
Marg, Powell's gets alot of good reviews on the mystery newsgroup too, it
seems they have a devoted following. I'm happy to know they're online, I'll
search them out soon!
Matt, Amazon.com welcomes me by name when I log onto it! And Botana has
a nice online resource. He's a friendly fella.
kathy - you've got a reputation at Amazon.com? LOL!
Timber Press seems to be making an effort to publish a LOT of orchid books
and other horticultural books very good company, nice catalogue..... AOS
bookstore was other favorite source, but most of us like Guy Cantor, will
buy books ANYWHERE! Anyone have a most unusual find in unusual place????
You know like on an airplane? Oh no, that is something else......books,
books, where have we gotten books?
Recent find added (getting Rio WOC Proceedings from them):
E-Mail: koeltz@ibm.net Internet
My most memorable was a SERIOUS used book auction at one of the major auction
houses here in D.C. I had 1000.00 to spend. The COMPLETE sets of Orchid
Review and OD, and Bulletin went for thousands of thousands!
Isn't it terrible when you can't afford that one book you really want? Unfortunately
that is the story of my life. I love books too much!!
Jane, speak for yourself - I WANT TO WIN THE LOTTERY so I can buy orchids
forever!!!
I am glad that you people who want to win the lottery aren't in CA. I have
a ticket for tonight's $7,000,000. That should help buy some books!! I was
the Librarian at the school where I taught for 22 years then into the Library
for 16 more!!
Hello. everyone! My name is Dale Borders and I'm a cranberry/orchid grower
on the South Oregon Coast-Bandon.
What books do you have, Dale?
Maurelius. I have the usual old standbys, Hawkes, Northen. Baker's superlative
book. Many other Floras. Two years ago was the first time I ever belonged
to an orchid society, so I had to buy books. Hope to see you when you get
a chance, Bakers! The Baker book on Dendrobiums is a fantastic volume. It
costs about the same as 2 dead Dendrobiums.
A good book that has good cultural guidlines, a nice index of species and
hybrids and growing conditions is the Masdevallia book by Rhodehamel. Short
on pics, but long on info.
Kathy, Rhodehamel did a nice job on his Masdevallia book. I've heard rumors
that he has a new one. Know anything about that?
The Oregon Orchid Society has a good club library. As far as I'm concerned
it's one of the best things a club can do with some of the membership money.
They have some things we can't afford.
What did you-all think about the society that houses its collection in the
public library? It is available to members everyday that the library is
open????
I thought the public library was a great idea.
Carol, what books on orchids does a local library carry?
I don't know what the public library system has in our area. I manage the
National Capital Orchid Society collection. It is the most comprehensive
orchid library that I know of this side of AOS. Lots of rare books!
The public library is a wonderful idea, good public service - one problem:
Research books at shows! Guess if the society provided them, the library
would let them take a bundle out for show judging though. Would have to
be an up-front agreement in writing...other than that one point, I'm ALL
for it.
I think the Seattle club has the Seattle Public library manages the Seattle
club library. The Oregon Orchid Society library is administered by a voluntary
librarian.
The public DOES have access to the collection, also, but Mary Lois, that
is a good idea about the reference books, an upfront agreement. Also, the
library here does sell the older tattered books. So the society has to replace
books, A pre-marital agreement would be in order to cover who can do what.
Marg and Charlie, are you refering to our orchid society library? It's not
managed by the public library. We have a volunteer within our society that
does that.
Maurelius, Huh, I guess I don't know what I thought I did. Wonder who told
me that? Oh well, I stand corrected.
Most of us seem to have poor society libraries, one thing that I have discovered
in talking about this is the theft situation, if you have a lax board and
a poor librarian POOF! Tthe books disappear!
Our society has many great books and people returns them on time, too.
Maurelius, what's the check out policy? Leave your credit card info?
No, we just write down our name and phone number on a checkout list. The
thing is everyone knows each other; when you try to cheat the system you'll
be blacklisted forever.
My society has the best or second best library in southern CA. Our society budgets
$250 towards books and periodicals every year.
And can you imagine dragging them back and forth?! How many societies have
a safe storage area?
The Shreveport Orchid Society has no library. ZIP -- NADA
Yes, it does. But it's all at Dick's house...well, think the 'sale' books
are at Pat Seigel's
Evlyn, what do they do for show judging?
Equitant man, one reply noted that one judging Center requires the judges
to spend $1000 a year on their own collections. that is easier to do than
you think, the new Onc. book that I love was $135!!!!
Evlyn, don't feel bad, we have one but, it's in some member's garage, never
been used or up date. Had a lots of old 'Bulletins'.
The situation with the Society libraries is intolerable. Books are such
a valuable asset, probably the collection even a modest one represents the
MOST valuable asset the club owns, and the Board is RESPONSIBLE for its
safety and care, responsible to the membership.
Goodnight, all...great chat tonight!
I'm new-does anyone know what black spots on flower petals and stem are?
BOOKS
"Growing Orchids - Book Four - The Australasian Families", 1985, Timber Presee, ISBN 0-88192-020-7
Growing Orchids - Expanding Your Orchid Collection", 1989, Lothian Publishing Co Pty Ltd, 11 Munro St, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, ISBN 0 85091 364 0
Richter, Walter, "Orchid Care", Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. Originally published in German in 1969, translation published in 1972, ISBN 0-442-26944-7 (drawings!)
"Orchids From The Botanical Registar, 1815 - 1847", 1991, Birkhauser Verlag, ISBN 0-8176-2479-1 (Set)
AOS Booklist Spring, 1997, page 18, $140.00
"Your First Orchids and How to Grow Them", Oregon Orchid Society, AOS BK209, $6.95
Wellington Orchid Society, Books on: Oncidium, Paph, Cattleya, Australian Orchids, Lycaste,
Cymbidium, comprehensive lists and cultural information, small boolets, limited pictures, Wellington Orchid Society Publications, 60 Horokiwi Road West, Newlands, Wellington, New Zealand, $10 - $19NZ each.
PERIODICALS
1WOC St Louis - not published - see AOS Bulletin Vol23 (1954)
2WOC Honolulu HI (1957)
3WOC London, England (1960)
4WOC Singapore, Malaysia (1963)
5WOC Long Beach CA (1966)
6WOC Sydney, Australia (1969)
7WOC Medellin, Colombia (1972)
8WOC Frankfurt, Germany (1975)
9WOC Bangkok, Thailand (1978)
10WOC Durban, South Africa (1981)
11WOC Miami FL (1984)
12WOC Tokyo, Japan (1987)
13WOC Rotorura NZ (1990)
14WOC Glasgow, Scotland (1993)
15WOC Rio de Janiero, Brazil (1996)
Volume I: The Cattleyas, 1998, ISBN 0-88192-099-1
Volume II: Laelias, 1989, ISBN 0-88192-1610
Volume III: Schomburgkia monotypic and other small genera, Caribbean Encyclia and Psychilis, 1992, ISBN 0-88192-269-2
Volume IV: The Bahamian and Caribbean Species, 1996, ISBN 0-88192-344-3
All published by Timber Press, Inc., 9999 SW Wilshire, Ste 124, Portland OR 97225
"Cattleya, Part I: The Brazilian Bifoliate Cattleyas", softcover, 94 pp, AOS BK6026, $30.00
"Cattleya, Part II: The Unifoliate Cattleyas", softcover, 96 pp, AOS BK6027, $32.00
"Growing Orchids - Cymbidiums and Slippers", 1980, University of Washington Press, ISBN 0-295-95839-1
"Growing Orchids - Book Two - The Cattleyas and Other Epiphytes", 1985, Timber Press, 9999 SW Wilshire, Portland OR 97225, ISBN 0 917305 20 9
"Growing Orchids - Book Three - Vandas, dendrobiums and others", 1982, Lothian Publishing Co Pty, Ltd, 4 Tattersalls Ln, Melbourne 3000, ISBN 0 85091 145 7
"Growing Orchids - The Specialist Orchid Grower", 1987, Timber Press, ISBN 0--88192-085-1
American Orchid Society
email
Phone: (07) 4926-2777
FAX: (07) 4926 5744
"The Orchadian", Publication of the Australian Native Orchid Society Inc., $35.00 Aust., G.P.O. Box 978 Sydney, NSW 1043
SOURCES
American Orchid Society, Book Store, 6000 South Olive Ave, West Palm Beach FL 33405-4199
Go Back
FAX 561-585-0654
Amazon.com (earth's largest bookstore)
Balogh's Scientific Books
The Botana Collection
Koeltz Scientific Books, P.O.Box 1360, D-61453 Koenigstein/ Germany
Fax: National 0 6174 937240 / International 49 6174 93720
email
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