The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids

This book is truly my orchid Bible. There is some information about almost everything you want to know orchids. I find this book useful when trying to find the general characteristics of a genus or even to identify a plant by its flower. Many, many pictures, and they are all beautiful. They lack in the growing tips category, but make up with the fairly detailed species descriptions for the species they cover in the book. Hope this is helpful!

This is an excellent reference book for orchid collectors. The photographs of the orchids are wonderful, as well as the complementary description. It makes ordering orchids on-line easier as well as purchasing orchids at a nursery.

Book contains about 298 pages divided into three sections. The sections are Orchid Cultivation & Description (15 pages), Species Encyclopedia (270 pages), and Glossary & Index (13 pages).The focus of the book is the orchid species encyclopedia. Each orchid is listed with information on genus, tribe, etymology, and a paragraph describing the characteristics of the orchid and its history. About 2/3rds of the species also include a photograph.Photography is excellent. Hundreds of clear, crisp, and properly identified images fill the book. It is truly an illustrated encyclopedia.I love this book! It is exactly the kind of reference book I needed. Being new to orchids, I have a difficult time seeing a name in a catalog and relating it to an image of an orchid flower. This book is great, it has helped me discover many new and interesting species. Well, at least they are new to me :-)My library contains several books on orchid culture that gives me clues to growing the plants. But this book identifies hundreds of genera, and 1100 species. Best orchid species encyclopedia that I've seen. Great reference book!

Many orchid growers prefer working with species rather than man-made hybrids. For those growers, this book is invaluable. I actually have two copies: one at work to aid in discussions with co-workers who also grow orchids and one at home. A majority of the species mentioned are also pictured in fabulous photos. This book does not pretend to be all inclusive, but the most common species of the genera listed are included. That's certainly enough for me. If I become interested in a large genus (like Dendrobium), there are Dendrobium monographs available to fill that need.

This book is indispensible to me as a Species orchid enthusiast. Every time I come across a species for sale that I am unfamiliar with, "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids" is the first place I look for a description and color photo! The beginning of the book has short, but informative sections on orchid care and cultivation. The majority of the book (and the main reason to have it), is the 'Orchids A-Z' section--a comprehensive list of Species with color photos, scientific + common names, geographical location of native habitats, descriptions of orchids + habitats and information on care. It is more than worth the price!