Product Description

With their refined beauty and elegant flower form, moth orchids (members of the genus Phalaenopsis) are often referred to as the basic black of the orchid world. In fact, moth orchids are the most popular orchids in the world, accounting for a staggering 75 percent of all orchid plant sales. More than merely beautiful, they are also among the easiest orchids to grow, whether in greenhouses, on windowsills, or under artificial lights, and the individual flowers can last for up to three months in pristine form. These appealing traits make moth orchids the first choice of every orchid fancier, from rank beginners to dyed-in-the-wool fanatics. Most flower lovers are familiar with the elegant white, pink, and striped hybrids, but a revolution in phalaenopsis breeding has resulted in an entirely new, diverse, and wonderful array of flower colors and patterns previously unimaginable. Professional horticulturist and orchid expert Steven A. Frowine, author of Miniature Orchids (Timber Press, 2007), focuses on these new stars while also providing a detailed look at the classic hybrids and species. Readers will be enticed by the book's 365 lavish color photographs and gratified by the wealth of practical advice on selecting and buying moth orchids. Most importantly, Frowine shares his secrets on how these glorious plants can be grown to perfection, with recommendations about light levels, potting media, watering, and feeding. Especially useful are his clearly illustrated step-by-step directions on how to repot, trim, and propagate moth orchids. If you're a novice orchid lover, this book will arm you with all the knowledge you need to enjoy moth orchids' magnificent blossoms in your home. If you're a phalaenopsis fanatic, you'll be thrilled to see just how exciting the world of moth orchids has become.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #209706 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 204 pages

About the Author
Steven A. Frowine is a professional horticulturist, a consultant to the green industry, an avid gardener, and an active garden writer and speaker. He has tended orchids at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii and at Missouri Botanical Garden, where he managed one of the largest orchid collections in the United States over 10,000 plants. A passionate grower of orchids for almost 40 years, Steven's basement is filled with stands of plants under grow lights. Steven has written for several publications including Fine Gardening, American Nurseryman, Nursery Business, and National Gardening, and has written weekly gardening columns for the Pittsburgh Post and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In addition, Steven has appeared on national television talk shows, including Martha Stewart Living, Good Morning America, Today Show, Victory Garden, and CBS Morning News. A much sought-after speaker, Steven is noted for his thorough knowledge of his subjects, a keen sense of humor, and excellent photography. He has given over 500 lectures and workshops, and has been a judge at most of the major U.S. flower shows. He is a board member of the National Gardening Association and has also served on the boards of the Garden Writers of America and the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. Though he has a special love for orchids and other tropical plants, Steven is interested in many facets of horticulture