"Barb Schmidt has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry. She worked as an Environmental Scientist for Pennsylvania Power & Light Company for 10 years; after which she ran her own environmental consulting firm that specialized in water quality permits, testing and data analysis for an additional 25 years. In 2004, Barb went back to school, received a teaching certificate in secondary science, and also began teaching at a local middle school. For the last 15 years, Barb has been raising orchids. She is the Vice-Chair of the American Orchid Society's (AOS) Education Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Her orchids have won a variety of awards, including first place ribbons at the Philadelphia International Flower Show, most recently in 2019. Writing has always been a hobby of Barb's; and she used her knowledge of orchids to publish her first book, Orchid Care: For the Beginner, in 2016. She is currently working on her second book, Orchid Care: For the Experienced Grower. Her book is currently on sale online and at several botanic gardens. In 2019, she became a regular contributor to Orchids magazine, publishing her first article, ""Orchid Shows Are for Everyone"" in the February 2019 edition (Vol. 88 No.2). Barb also maintains a website, www.basorchidcare.com, which provides orchid care information and hosts an orchid blog. She has been doing speaking tours and teaching orchid classes throughout the country. She is a regular instructor at the U.S. Botanic Gardens, Smithsonian Institution Associates Program, New York Botanical Gardens, and Cornell Botanic Gardens. Barb Schmidt has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry. She worked as an Environmental Scientist for Pennsylvania Power & Light Company for 10 years; after which she ran her own environmental consulting firm that specialized in water quality permits, testing and data analysis for an additional 25 years. In 2004, Barb went back to school, received a teaching certificate in secondary science, and also began teaching at a local middle school. For the last 15 years, Barb has been raising orchids. She is the Vice-Chair of the American Orchid Society's (AOS) Education Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Her orchids have won a variety of awards, including first place ribbons at the Philadelphia International Flower Show, most recently in 2019. Writing has always been a hobby of Barb's; and she used her knowledge of orchids to publish her first book, Orchid Care: For the Beginner, in 2016. She is currently working on her second book, Orchid Care: For the Experienced Grower. Her book is currently on sale online and at several botanic gardens. In 2019, she became a regular contributor to Orchids magazine, publishing her first article, ""Orchid Shows Are for Everyone"" in the February 2019 edition (Vol. 88 No.2). Barb also maintains a website, www.basorchidcare.com, which provides orchid care information and hosts an orchid blog. She has been doing speaking tours and teaching orchid classes throughout the country. She is a regular instructor at the U.S. Botanic Gardens, Smithsonian Institution Associates Program, New York Botanical Gardens, and Cornell Botanic Gardens. Barb Schmidt has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry. She worked as an Environmental Scientist for Pennsylvania Power & Light Company for 10 years; after which she ran her own environmental consulting firm that specialized in water quality permits, testing and data analysis for an additional 25 years. In 2004, Barb went back to school, received a teaching certificate in secondary science, and also began teaching at a local middle school. For the last 15 years, Barb has been raising orchids. She is the Vice-Chair of the American Orchid Society's (AOS) Education Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Her orchids have won a variety of awards, including first place ribbons at the Philadelphia International Flower Show, most recently in 2019. Writing has always been a hobby of Barb's; and she used her knowledge of orchids to publish her first book, Orchid Care: For the Beginner, in 2016. She is currently working on her second book, Orchid Care: For the Experienced Grower. Her book is currently on sale online and at several botanic gardens. In 2019, she became a regular contributor to Orchids magazine, publishing her first article, ""Orchid Shows Are for Everyone"" in the February 2019 edition (Vol. 88 No.2). Barb also maintains a website, www.basorchidcare.com, which provides orchid care information and hosts an orchid blog. She has been doing speaking tours and teaching orchid classes throughout the country. She is a regular instructor at the U.S. Botanic Gardens, Smithsonian Institution Associates Program, New York Botanical Gardens, and Cornell Botanic Gardens."
Publishers Weekly, July 18, 2016 edition, 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. (BookLlfe) Jacqueline Fisher, 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! 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!