Product Description

For the indoor plant hobbyist, intermediate orchid grower, or anyone simply "mad about masdevallias," this is a first complete reference to these collectible orchids. An inspiring tribute to their beauty and a practical guide to their care, the book offers detailed advice on all aspects of culture. For those enthusiasts who are up to a challenge, chapters on propagating, showing, and registering masdevallias are also included.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78667 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Released on: 2005-10-15
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 300 pages

Review
"Mary Gerritsen and Ron Parsons give this beautiful genus its well-deserved moment in the sun."
—Jerry Parsons, Pacific Horticulture, May/June 2006 (Pacific Horticulture )

"The experienced and knowledgeable coauthors (both are independent scholars) have provided the first comprehensive book on this genus of Central and South American orchids."
—L. G. Kavaljian, Choice, March 2006 (Choice )

"The first complete reference of Masdevallia orchids ever published."
—Pauline Keegan, Hobby Greenhouse, Summer 2006 (Hobby Greenhouse )

Mary Gerritsen and Ron Parsons give this beautiful genus its well-deserved moment in the sun. Jerry Parsons, Pacific Horticulture, May/June 2006 (Pacific Horticulture )

The experienced and knowledgeable coauthors (both are independent scholars) have provided the first comprehensive book on this genus of Central and South American orchids. L. G. Kavaljian, Choice, March 2006 (Choice )

The first complete reference of Masdevallia orchids ever published. Pauline Keegan, Hobby Greenhouse, Summer 2006 (Hobby Greenhouse )

From the Publisher
Offers detailed advice on all aspects of culture—temperature, light and humidity, potting mixes and fertilizers, pest and diseases, and even propagating, showing, and registering these extraordinarily popular orchids form Central and South America.

About the Author
Mary E. Gerritsen, PhD is also the author of Masdevallias (Timber Press 2005). Mary lives in San Mateo, California, where she gardens extensively.

Ron Parsons has been growing orchids for more than three decades and photographing them for nearly as long. He lives in the San Francisco area.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic book!
This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in Masdevallias or those who love orchids in general. I feel this book fills a long standing void of books dedicated to the genus Masdevallia. The book contains detailed information on the history, natural distribution, cultivation, taxonomy of the subgenera, as well as information on propagation and showing masdevallias. There are 100's of beautiful photographs of the many species with information for each species photographed. There is also a section on hybridisation accompanied with many more colour photographs. I believe this book will be a longstanding 'Bible' to the genus for years to come. Highly recommended.

Book is a gem!
Bought this book right before the 2008 Pacific Orchid Exposition in San Francisco. The photos and text were great, but the tables at the end were even more useful for shopping at the Expo. The tables list the species and hybrids with their growing temperatures. If I can grow these plants in Nevada with 13% humidity, so can you!

Masdevallias: Gems of the Orchid World
I can't say enough positive things about this book. The wisdom of some of the top masdevallia growers was sought out and compiled in one place. Excellent photos, solid text, and a useful list of the top growers and contact information for them. I was able to reach two of the top growers who live in my area and find out what orchid shows they would be attending. That allowed me to expand my collection with some awesome new plants. Buy this book, you won't regret it.