The Enchanted Orchid

“In the enchanted orchid Max Fulcher has brought together his talent for photography and his knowledge and love of the alluring blooms.

This is not just a how-to-grow-’em book. It’s an entertaining read – as warm and witty as the author – interspersed with his gorgeous photographs.

Armed with camera and diary, Max has tracked orchids across Asia and the Pacific for two decades. He recounts many of his orchid experiences on the orchid trail including how, in Burma, he happened upon the rare blue Vanda and why, with a $13,000 hole in his belly, he limped around New York in winter searching out moon orchids. 

There’s also heaps of good sound advice for the home grower. “Make sure they pass water” and “Orchids love light and air, just like you and me. Get them to sunny garden spots.”

Plus a chapter crammed with tips on photography. Use dawn light to photograph flowers, he warns darkly. “Put the camera away after 8am in Australia.”  Judy Johnstone 1999