Offers a comprehensive, informative manual on how to grow, collect, and hybridize a variety of beautiful slipper orchids, offering detailed descriptions of a wide range paphiodpedilum and phragmidpedium orchid species, as well as essential care, cultivation, and plant selection guidelines.

Slipper orchids, of the genus Paphiopedilum, vie with pitcher plants as Borneo's most spectacularplants. Sadly, many are now rare in the wild and threatened with extinction. In this book, the history, taxonomy, distribution and biology of these extraordinary plants are described. Illustratedthroughout with all the species described pictured.

Following an overview of Vietnam's geology, climate zones, vegetation, and slipper orchid genera, international botanists present the first detailed description of the country's 22 lovely but highly endangered Paphiopedilum species and natural hybrids. Entries cover their morphology, ecology, history, in situ flowering period, habitat, and status. The final section treats conservation efforts. Includes color photographs, botanical drawings, distribution maps, and climatological data graphs. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Slipper orchids are amongst the most popular of all cultivated orchids. They are widely grown and have been hybridised for almost a century and a half. This book covers the tropical American species of three genera of slipper orchids, Selenipedium, Mexipedium and Phragmipedium. Until fairly recently the slipper orchid scene has been dominated by the tropical Asian species of the genus Paphiopedilum, however the discovery of a suite of spectacular new species, particularly in the genus Phragmipedium and of the monotypic Mexipedium xerophyticum,a true missing link, has transformed appreciation of the tropical American slipper orchid species. The new generation of hybrids that have resulted are showy, brightly coloured and long-lasting - favourites on the show bench and in the amateur greenhouse.This is the first monograph in English to cover the tropical American slipper orchids. Written by Phillip Cribb, perhaps the leading orchid taxonomist in the world, together with Christopher Purver, Director of the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, on the Isle of Jersey, renowned for its Phragmipedium breeding program.The authors provide a detailed systematic treatment of the genera and species, including their history,taxonomy, description, keys, distribution, cytology and ecology. A history of the breeding ofPhragmipedium hyrids since the second half of the 19th century deals with the revolution broughtabout by the discovery of the amazing scarlet -flowered P.besseae and the spectacular royal purple P. kovachii. Future breeding trends are also covered and the cultivation of these desirable plants is also discussed.Beautifully illustrated throughout with colour botanical paintings by Carol Woodin, as well as black andwhite line drawings, colour photographs and maps.

In an absorbing and attractive account of these unique and fascinating plants, 104 life-sized illustrations in colour, superbly executed in the medium of watercolour, of all five genera of the subfamily Cypripedioideae are presented in one volume for the first time. The plants selected for presentation include most of the species that are commonly grown in cultivation as well as carefully chosen representatives from among the primary and complex hybrids. Each of the exquisite colour plates is accompanied by a comprehensive text, which details the species' distinguishing features, their distribution in the wild, their natural habitats and the history of their introduction into cultivation. -- Jacket.