Orchids as House Plants

Orchids are one of the most fascinating plant families to grow. With their tremendous variety of sizes, colors, shapes, habits, and fragrances, orchids offer the opportunity of unparalleled pleasure and excitement to the plant enthusiast. This book shows you how to produce flowering orchids in your home with the modern methods that are already enabling thousands of people to cultivate orchids successfully in their living rooms, sun porches, basements, and elsewhere. It is easier to grow orchids now than it has ever been, and you don't need a greenhouse to do it. Thoroughly revised and brought completely up to date, this book explains the basic needs of orchids and shows you the three common methods of growing them in the house -- in a window, in a case, and under artificial light. It goes on to describe cattleyas and many other fascinating kinds of orchids that do well as house plants, including what they each need in the way of temperature, light, humidity, and other requirements. Finally, the concluding chapters present information on potting mature plants, caring for seedling, and treating ailments and problems. 63 photos and line drawings illustrate flowers and growing techniques. If you are intrigued by the prospect of growing orchids as house plants or you already have one or two flowering on your windowsill, this book will enable you to pursue your interest confidently and knowledgeably. It covers a wide range of techniques and types of orchids, and can even be adapted to greenhouse work. With the right information at your fingertips, you can grow orchids at home with surprising ease.