Understanding Orchids by William Cullina

Understanding Orchids by William Cullina

This book came out in 2004, and the subtitle is An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World's Most Exotic Plants.

Ah, orchids.

These ethereal blooms, with their intricate petals and vibrant hues, have long captivated the hearts of plant lovers. Over the years, I, too, have become an orchid lover and an orchid fan.

But for many of us, the mere thought of growing an orchid can seem as daunting as scaling Mount Everest.

Fear not, dear gardener!

William Cullina’s Understanding Orchids is here to guide us through this botanical labyrinth.

With a touch of botanical elegance and a dash of horticultural humor, William invites us into the world of orchids, demystifying their care and cultivation.

William writes in his introduction,

I still get that spine-tingling toe-tickling feeling of, wow that hooked me at the beginning.

And if you're just starting out with orchids, you are in for quite an adventure.

Learning to grow orchids and understand their idiosyncrasies is a true journey.

The sheer number of orchid species estimates range between 25 and 40,000, including hybrids means that there will always be something new to learn something new to explore.

This book is a treasure trove of information, filled with practical tips and expert advice. Whether you’re a seasoned orchid enthusiast or a budding gardener just starting out, you’ll find something to pique your interest.

From the moment you open the cover, you’re immersed in a world of botanical beauty. The stunning photographs showcase the diversity and splendor of orchids, inspiring you to add these exquisite plants to your collection. William’s writing is informative and engaging, making complex botanical concepts easy to understand - which is important because orchids can be intimidating.

Many gardeners confess that Orchids and orchid care remains a mystery to them. So if you haven't gone down the orchid path yet, you're not alone. On the other hand, if you're on the edge and you want to become more skilled in the area of orchids, then William's book is the perfect guide for you.

And, William definitely knows what it's like to be in your shoes. 

The first part of William's book covers all the basics of orchids.

Next, William gives an excellent overview of an area that people often struggle with:  How to care for orchids.

How do they like to be watered? What should you do about fertilization? How should you pot them? If you're going to Mount them? How does that happen?

Then William talks about what to do if you have a pest or disease issue with your orchid.

Next, if you are getting into next-level orchid growing, William will be your guy to introduce you to reproduction. He'll tell you how to hand-pollinate and propagate and hybridize orchids. And there will be no mystery to any of this. William is very clear through every page of his book.

Finally, William wraps things up with a look at over a hundred of the most popular orchids to get you on your way and to get you thinking about what you want on your orchid wishlist.

William shares this incredible fact:

You could start acquiring an orchid a day when you were 20 years old and still not have grown them all when you turned 80 and there is no other family of plants that offers such incredible diversity.

Orchids are truly incredible. They've become my favorite plant to send to a family member for a birthday or an anniversary because they last so long - and often orchids can cost as much as the bouquet (but they last WAY longer!) - so I often opt to send an orchid instead of a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers.

Then, as a little bonus for myself, some of my family members will actually bring me the orchids I sent them after it's done blooming. So then I get the honor of taking care of repotting it and getting it healthy and ready to go again so that it will bloom again - hopefully on their next birthday or anniversary.
And so that's what I love to do - take care of orchids after they've bloomed.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey of orchid cultivation, Understanding Orchids is the perfect companion.

It’s a book that will not only teach you how to grow these exotic blooms but also ignite a passion for the natural world.

This book is 272 pages of orchids by an orchid lover - for orchid lovers - or for people thinking about becoming orchid lovers.

You can get a copy of Understanding Orchids by William Cullina and support the show using the Amazon link in today's show notes for around $12.