they have become readily available - in big box stores and supermarkets. In bloom
when purchased, the trick is to get them to flower again. Assistance is at hand with
.
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Orchid Modern
Living & Designing with the World's Most Elegant Houseplants
a book review
Thursday, 6 February 2020
Orchids are different. And that is, perhaps, part of their appeal. Once rare and exotic,
they have become readily available - in big box stores and supermarkets. In bloom
when purchased, the trick is to get them to flower again. Assistance is at hand with
copyright Claire Rosen, image provided courtesy Timber Press
Orchid Modern: Living & Designing with the World's Most Elegant Houseplants
authored by Marc Hachadorian, curator of the orchid collection at the New York Botanical Garden, who might be said to bring his work home with him. He has a home greenhouse for - that's right - his personal collection of orchids.
copyright Claire Rosen, image provided courtesy Timber Press
Starting with the contents page where beautiful illustrations draw the readers attention
careful step-by-step photographs pair with how-to-do directions about caring for orchids.
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copyright Claire Rosen, images provided courtesy Timber Press
For example - thorough and easy-to-follow instruction on repotting
a sympodial orchid (and what that is, is explained) in 15 easy steps.
Orchids in pots, and potting mixes. Epiphytic orchids on a cork bark mount. Fertilizers, watering, humidity. Diagnosing problems and dealing with common pests and diseases. Rehabilitating a sick plant, complete with a chart identifying the problem, its likely cause, and the remedy, and another for pests and diseases.Thorough and easy-to-follow instructions how-to-grow tips nifty ideas to pot/mount/display orchids and much more. All in all, this by itself would make Orchid Modern a very useful book.
But there is more. Ten elegant orchid projects offer options beyond growing in a simple pot. Consider an orchid bonsai tree, a woodland garden orchid centerpiece, a hanging orchid gallery, and more.
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copyright Claire Rosen, images provided courtesy Timber Press
Terrariums are a nifty way to showcase orchids, such as these jewel orchids, grown for
magnificent foliage. Again, each project has lucid text and step-by-step photographs.
Start, perhaps, with a mass market orchid. Or two, or more. Become fascinated with what you have easily acquired and learned to care for. And then, perhaps, move on. The last third of Orchid Modern is a dictionary of Easy Care Orchids from A to Z, each described. Species, hybrids, bigeneric hybrids, complicated crosses each more exotic and unusual than the last. These won't be found in the supermarket but fortunately there's a list of specialty suppliers.
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copyright Claire Rosen, images provided courtesy Timber Press
Even the basic supermarket moth orchid, Phalanopsis, and corsage orchid, Cattleya,
have elegant cultivars can be well worth seeking out for their refined beauty.
The New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Show opens to the public on
Sunday, 15 February 2020 and runs through Sunday 19 April 2020
The Garden Shop will have orchids for your admiration and purchase.
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Orchid Modern: Living & Designing with the World's Most Elegant Houseplants
by Marc Hachadorian
published by Timber Press, Portland, Oregon
in conjunction with The New York Botanical Garden
Soft cover, color images throughout, $24.95, 2020
ISBN 978-1-60469-816-9
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher
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