A presentation of the species of one of the most popular orchid genera in cultivation, this is a close-up look at those plants that initiated a plethora of the popular hybrids. There are more than 80 currently accepted species, and a number of natural hybrids in the genus. Cymbidium grow as epiphytes, lithophytes or terrestrially in nature, from sea level to relatively high elevations. Many of the most commonly available (and some rarities) are featured.
Ron Parsons has been growing orchids for 50 years, and has been interested in the species for most of that time. He loves to photograph orchids and other flowers whenever he can, and does so as often as possible. Ron has more than 108,000 digital images, most of which are of orchids, and still retains a slide library that exceeds 100,000 botanical images. He has given more than 500 talks on various botanical topics, and has over 6500 published photos. Ron has co-authored four books on botanical subjects, all with Mary E. Gerritsen. The first two, published by Timber Press, are Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World and Calochortus, Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives. Their third book, a two-volume set, A Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species was published by Redfern Natural History Productions in January 2014. In 2019 The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and their Culture was released, and is on its third printing. They have recently completed a fifth book, a much-revised second edition of A Compendium of Miniature Orchids Species. It is now in four volumes with 3100 photos (1800 of those are new), including those of more than 500 species not in the first edition. The set was released in early October, 2021.
