Many beautiful color photographs are included to tantalize the readers and pique their interest in these exciting plants. Also, many color illustrations are used to demonstrate bed preparation, planting, and other cultural practices.
The author divides the discussion into three groups of species Upland, Transition, and Wetland. Within each group, selected species are discussed in detail with a strong focus on a non-technical presentation of the necessary cultural requirements for these species to survive and thrive in almost any garden setting.
Some of the principles that are emphasized include:
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Hardy orchids survive and thrive in temperate and more frigid climates. In fact, some actually require temperatures at or well below freezing for several months each year to maintain proper growth, much like tulips or daffodils.
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The most important requirement for growing this kind of orchid is good soil drainage, which in most cases requires excavation and the addition of premixed soil in a raised bed. Sand or Perlite are key ingredients to achieving good drainage. And the addition of peat and Perlite increases the soil moisture holding capacity necessary for most orchid species.
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Orchids in general have low nutrient requirements, and do not tolerate lots of fertilizer. In fact, the addition of a good leaf or bark compost to the soil mix usually supplies all the nutrients an orchid needs.
The author stresses that while these requirements are relatively easy for most gardeners, terrestrial orchids can not be planted just anywhere and expected to grow. To be successful, it’s absolutely necessary to plan ahead and prepare a site to meet the specific requirements of a species. This process is covered in depth in The Gardener’s Guide to Growing Hardy Perennial Orchids.
