Book Reviews:
Publishers Weekly - July 18, 2016 edition - Booklife Book Review
"Schmidt demystifies orchid care for a wide audience in this slim, instructive volume. The book can function as a reference guide, but it’s best read cover to cover, as the information is well chosen to keep from frightening off beginning enthusiasts. Schmidt is a horticulture instructor who points out that “the key to being successful at raising orchids is to mimic their natural conditions as best as possible without driving yourself crazy.” She takes readers through a brief history of the orchid—these supposedly delicate flowers have been around since the Late Cretaceous period. They live mostly in the tropics, but also above the Arctic Circle. Schmidt differentiates between keeping an orchid alive and raising one, writing that “the difficulty comes in correctly meeting its needs to get it to flower again.” Readers come to understand the three different ways orchids grow—upright in soil, on another plant, or on or near rocks—before Schmidt segues into the basic light requirements (varied) and watering needs (less is more) of each group. For those who haven’t yet purchased their first orchid, Schmidt provides suggestions on selecting the best-quality, most forgiving plant, so that one’s first orchid experience is as happy and successful as possible. <em>(BookLife)</em"
Publishers Weekly - June 27, 2016 edition - Listed as a New Self-Published Title
Jacqueline Fisher - Manager of Member Programs- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
"“Everything you need to grow a beautiful orchid is in this book. Great layout, easy to understand and even a troubleshooting guide! Barb really knows her stuff!”
"“Everything you need to grow a beautiful orchid is in this book. Great layout, easy to understand and even a troubleshooting guide! Barb really knows her stuff!”
Kevin Moss - Adult Education Coordinator, Cornell Plantations
"Cornell Plantations (the arboretum, botanical garden and natural areas of Cornell University) was pleased to host author and orchid care expert Barbara Schmidt for a workshop called “Everything Orchids!” The two-hour workshop was an excellent introduction to the widely diverse world of orchids and their care, and drew heavily from Barbara’s twelve years of experience with these fascinating and exotic plants, as well as material from her recent book, Orchid Care: For the Beginner.
Having taught workshops for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and won a variety of awards for her orchids, including first place ribbons at the Philadelphia Flower Show, Barbara is eminently qualified to speak with authority on this subject. Often viewed as enigmatic and difficult to grow, orchids are among the world’s most beautiful plants and tend to inspire the imagination, summoning images of tropical rainforests and intrepid plant explorers slogging through exotic wilderness locales. Yet, as Barbara points out, growing orchids is neither difficult nor complicated as long as you understand the plants’ niche in the environments they come from, and are able to provide for their basic needs.
Although the romantic mystique of orchids will always (thankfully!) remain, Barbara’s comprehensive yet easy-to-follow book has helped to dispel some of the myths and general intimidation factor of orchid care. Participants in the class are also encouraged to “BYOO” – bring your own orchid – so that everyone can benefit from learning about the different types of orchids, tips for their care, and how to “troubleshoot” any problems they might encounter. Coupled with her engaging teaching style, her book and workshops provide orchid lovers new and experienced with a treasure trove of practical information they can use right away.
Whether you are new to orchid growing, or have struggled with caring for them successfully, Barbara’s workshops and book will help get you on the right track and inspire you to delve even deeper into the fascinating world of orchids."
"Cornell Plantations (the arboretum, botanical garden and natural areas of Cornell University) was pleased to host author and orchid care expert Barbara Schmidt for a workshop called “Everything Orchids!” The two-hour workshop was an excellent introduction to the widely diverse world of orchids and their care, and drew heavily from Barbara’s twelve years of experience with these fascinating and exotic plants, as well as material from her recent book, Orchid Care: For the Beginner.
Having taught workshops for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and won a variety of awards for her orchids, including first place ribbons at the Philadelphia Flower Show, Barbara is eminently qualified to speak with authority on this subject. Often viewed as enigmatic and difficult to grow, orchids are among the world’s most beautiful plants and tend to inspire the imagination, summoning images of tropical rainforests and intrepid plant explorers slogging through exotic wilderness locales. Yet, as Barbara points out, growing orchids is neither difficult nor complicated as long as you understand the plants’ niche in the environments they come from, and are able to provide for their basic needs.
Although the romantic mystique of orchids will always (thankfully!) remain, Barbara’s comprehensive yet easy-to-follow book has helped to dispel some of the myths and general intimidation factor of orchid care. Participants in the class are also encouraged to “BYOO” – bring your own orchid – so that everyone can benefit from learning about the different types of orchids, tips for their care, and how to “troubleshoot” any problems they might encounter. Coupled with her engaging teaching style, her book and workshops provide orchid lovers new and experienced with a treasure trove of practical information they can use right away.
Whether you are new to orchid growing, or have struggled with caring for them successfully, Barbara’s workshops and book will help get you on the right track and inspire you to delve even deeper into the fascinating world of orchids."
Wendy Morris - Director of Programs - UCLA Mathias Botanical Gardens
"The UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden was fortunate to host author, teacher, and orchid care specialist Barb Schmidt for two lectures in January 2017. Barb presented "Everything Orchids" and a shortened "Learn at Lunch" version. Both talks were perfectly geared to the audience and time available, everyone left thrilled, and emails praising Barb streamed in afterwards. Barb's background in chemistry, biology and teaching plus her pleasant enthusiastic style and clear presentation make her an excellent speaker. The lectures were effective, engaging, and very well enjoyed, her handouts were great and the book, purchased by many of us, is a great reference to have here and at home!"
"The UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden was fortunate to host author, teacher, and orchid care specialist Barb Schmidt for two lectures in January 2017. Barb presented "Everything Orchids" and a shortened "Learn at Lunch" version. Both talks were perfectly geared to the audience and time available, everyone left thrilled, and emails praising Barb streamed in afterwards. Barb's background in chemistry, biology and teaching plus her pleasant enthusiastic style and clear presentation make her an excellent speaker. The lectures were effective, engaging, and very well enjoyed, her handouts were great and the book, purchased by many of us, is a great reference to have here and at home!"
Class Reviews:
Cornell University Plantations:
Everything Orchids:
What did you like most about the program?
Everything Orchids:
What did you like most about the program?
- Her expertise and ability to answer questions. She was very personable and easy to speak with.
- Barbara imparted just the right amount of background information about orchids and care information to make it easy to go home and act on what we learned. I thought she was a wonderful and natural teacher who was enthusiastic and also able to teach to the level of the class. Great job!
- Hands on. I didn't feel I was a dummy for my errors.
Northampton Community College Classes:
Orchid Care For Beginners:
Summer Orchid Care:
Orchid Care For Beginners:
- Barb was very easy to follow and gave a lot of information.
- Learned a lot about life cycle of orchids and what to do and not to do.
- Interesting and liked hearing her personal experience.
- Good knowledge of subject, well communicated.
- Barb was extremely knowledgeable. I especially enjoyed the historic and biological context.
Summer Orchid Care:
- Barb is very good at explaining and instructing.
- Barb was awesome. She took a look at everyone’s orchid that brought one. She helped me to transplant the one I was growing.
- Questions were welcomed and we received a nice size plant ready to bloom
U.S. Botanic Gardens Presentation - March 17, 2017
- Excellent in all respects - info was so useful!!
- enjoyed & learned a lot
- Another wonderful USBG program. [re: other programs attended] love them! Thank you.
- Barbara was so knowledgeable and simplified what I had initially thought to be an intimidating task.
- Great overview
- Good presentation. Speaker easy to listen to & understand. Cohesive flow.
- Excellent!!
U.S. Botanic Gardens Presentation - October 20, 2017
- Wonderful program both in content and presenter.
- Excellent program!
- The presenter, Ms. Schmidt, was very knowledgeable, approachable, and amazing!
- Barb did a wonderful job w/ information + keeping the class moving and ending on time!
- Wonderful program - thank you!