’em)
Overwatering
Underwatering
Too Much Light or Heat
Leaving Orchid Foliage Wet Overnight
Too Much Fertilizer
Improper Use of Pesticides
Insect Infestation
Purchase of Sick Plants
Poor Water Quality
Inadequate Ventilation
Chapter 18: The Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions about Orchids
Are Orchids Difficult to Grow?
Why Should I Grow Orchids?
Do I Need a Greenhouse to Grow Orchids?
Are Orchids Expensive?
How Long and How Often Will Orchids Bloom?
What Makes an Orchid an Orchid?
Are Orchids Fragrant?
Where Can I See the Best Collections of Orchids?
Are Any Orchids Hardy?
Are Orchids Parasites?
Chapter 19: The Ten Most Common Reasons Why Orchids Don’t Bloom
Not Enough Difference between Day and Night Temperatures
Too Moist during the Winter
Too Little Light
Excessively High or Low Temperatures
Not Using a Fertilizer or Using One with Too Much Nitrogen
Immature Plants
Too Low Humidity
Disease, Insects, or Mice
Not Enough Water
Recently Transplanted and Divided
9 Appendix A: Additional Orchid Resources Orchid Societies Online Resources Software Pronunciation Guide: How to Say the Most Common Orchid Names
10 Appendix B: English-Metric Conversion Tables
11 Index
List of Tables
1 Chapter 1TABLE 1-1 Differences between Tulip and Orchid FlowersTABLE 1-2 The Components of a Species Orchid NameTABLE 1-3 The Components of a Hybrid Orchid’s Name
2 Chapter 2TABLE 2-1 Orchid Temperature Preferences
3 Chapter 3TABLE 3-1 Pros and Cons of Various Types of LabelsTABLE 3-2 The Pros and Cons of Various Types of Label Markers
4 Chapter 5TABLE 5-1 Artificial Light SourcesTABLE 5-2 Comparing T5 Fluorescents and LEDs
5 Chapter 6TABLE 6-1 The Pros and Cons of Different Fertilizers and How to Use Them
6 Chapter 7TABLE 7-1 The Pros and Cons of Various Potting Materials
7 Chapter 9TABLE 9-1 Common Orchid Pests and Their Controls
8 Chapter 13TABLE 13-1 Oncidium Alliance Intergenerics
9 Appendix ATABLE A-1 Pronouncing Common Orchids
List of Illustrations
1 Chapter 1FIGURE 1-1: Comparing a cattleya flower with a tulip flower. FIGURE 1-2: Epiphytic orchids have thick roots covered with silver velamen. FIGURE 1-3: Terrestrial and semiterrestrial orchids, like most slipper orchids,...
2 Chapter 2FIGURE 2-1: Maximum-minimum thermometer. FIGURE 2-2: The shadow test is a simple and reasonably accurate way to measure ...FIGURE 2-3: An example of a handheld light meter.
3 Chapter 3FIGURE 3-1: Cutting tools — from left to right: thin-bladed knife, two pairs of...FIGURE 3-2: Potting tools — clockwise from top-left: rubber mallet, dibble, pot...FIGURE 3-3: This compact, lightweight, self-striking butane torch is a breeze t...FIGURE 3-4: A common type of water breaker. FIGURE 3-5: Thumb valves make watering easier. FIGURE 3-6: The most useful watering can is one with a long spout. FIGURE 3-7: Simple fertilizer injectors are easy to use and handy if you have q...
4 Chapter 4FIGURE 4-1: Staking flower spikes of spray-type orchids like phalaenopsis or on...FIGURE 4-2: Plastic plant clips attach the stem of the orchid to its stake, com...FIGURE 4-3: Trim off brown tips of leaves following the natural curvature of th...FIGURE 4-4: Placing plants on pedestals and inserting their growing pot inside
