The Orchidist - Paperback

by Sue And Graham Guest (Author)

Andy Easton is a man blessed with an unparalleled understanding of orchid species, cultivation methods, and breeding techniques. Having loved orchids all his life, breeding the new and improved has become his life's work and driving passion. Even in the twilight of his career he's at the top of his game, as busy as ever hybridising in his Salinas greenhouse, with agents around the world waiting to buy his potentially lucrative seedlings plants.

When an exceptional seedling blooms in his Australian Agent's nursery, things take a dramatic turn.
The sensational orchid is capable of taking a significant share of the billion-dollar floral industry and some fear it will push the existing product off the shelves. It's allure precipitates a series of concerning events that leave Easton and his Australian agents reeling like pillaged orchids, scrambling to survive.

Through gentle twists of mystery and coils of suspense, readers are drawn into the labyrinthine challenges that have punctuated Easton's illustrious career as the preeminent orchid breeder of our time.

This is a story of ostensible fiction, inspired by real life Orchidists Herbert George Alexander and Andy Easton. Over a span of a hundred years it touches on accurate and not so accurate history, good and not so good behaviour, ambition and the Darwinian need for survival. But most of all, it is a love story for anyone who enjoys a tale about orchids and the magic they bring.