Orchid Care: For the Beginner

Schmidt demystifies orchid care for a wide audience in this slim, instructive volume. The book can function as a reference guide, but it’s best read cover to cover, as the information is well chosen to keep from frightening off beginning enthusiasts. Schmidt is a horticulture instructor who points out that “the key to being successful at raising orchids is to mimic their natural conditions as best as possible without driving yourself crazy.” She takes readers through a brief history of the orchid—these supposedly delicate flowers have been around since the Late Cretaceous period. They live mostly in the tropics, but also above the Arctic Circle. Schmidt differentiates between keeping an orchid alive and raising one, writing that “the difficulty comes in correctly meeting its needs to get it to flower again.” Readers come to understand the three different ways orchids grow—upright in soil, on another plant, or on or near rocks—before Schmidt segues into the basic light requirements (varied) and watering needs (less is more) of each group. For those who haven’t yet purchased their first orchid, Schmidt provides suggestions on selecting the best-quality, most forgiving plant, so that one’s first orchid experience is as happy and successful as possible. (BookLife)