An orchid craze is going on and for good reason. With at least 25,000 identified species, there's an orchid for every taste. With quality plants now being produced at low cost, there's an orchid for every budget. But according to Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Thief, "Nothing can account for the way people feel about orchids. Those who love them love them madly. Orchids arouse passion more than romance." And orchid fanciers are clamoring for the intriguing plants. Second only to poinsettias, orchid sales increased by 4 percent in 2002, with more than 12.7 million orchids sold in the United States alone. Enthusiasts will surely snap up the Orchids 2005 Calendar with thirteen full-color images by renowned photographer Clay Perry, whose breathtaking work has illustrated more than seventeen books. Through his lens, we can truly understand the allure of orchids. They are simply beautiful.
