EASY ORCHIDS: The Fail-Safe Guide to Growing Orchids Indoors

This utilitarian manual to orchids as houseplants succeeds admirably in its aim to "provide a practical, concise, easy-to-use guide that is suitable for those with little or no experience of growing orchids." Johnson, owner of McBean's Orchids in Essex, England, a company that's been growing orchids since 1879, instructs readers on how to choose the right orchid for their home (taking into account temperature, light and humidity) and explores options for procuring the right orchid. Detailed advice on feeding, watering and repotting, as well as tips for dealing with pests and diseases further increase readers' chances of successfully growing these lovely but temperamental plants. Johnson moves on to giving hints for displaying orchids and addresses "common concerns and simple solutions." Finally, she presents a substantial directory, which profiles hundreds of different kinds of orchids—all capable of being grown in the average home by novice growers—and provides instructions for meeting the individual needs of each species. Artful photos of vibrant orchids in bloom soften the writing's textbook-like tone. (Apr.)