Post by Syble on Mar 22, 2006 14:47:44 GMT -5
Another new acquisition I’ve had it less then a week and have already finished it! Full of photographs, some colour, but most are black and white, which I must admit was a questioning moment for me briefly until I saw the value! It is easy to get stuck on the colour of a plant and miss the subtle defining characteristics that differentiate it from other members in its group. In addition to the many photographs, there are several helpful and detailed sketches about everything from total plant, to inner trap workings, to flowers even male and female nepenthes flower comparison.
This book covers all carnivorous plants, and goes into detail about where they were found, by who and what makes defines different species and sub-species. The first 3/4 of this book is devoted to that information, no cultural information is included until the last portion of the book.
Chapter 10 is completely devoted to growing CPs and goes into good detail as to location (indoors, greenhouse, ect) and even breaks that down further as to the different ways you can grow CP’s in these areas. He breaks down growing information 2 ways, first he covers all generalities, medium, containers, water, ect, then goes into species grouping (technically by genus). He starts of by giving an introduction to the genus, then general cultivation, propagation, feeding, watering, temperature, and finally notes. In some cases he also gives information on pests and diseases as well as species and special comments like “why most people fail”.
One point of interest (for me at least) is the various lists in the book describing and listing the parentage of various hybrids that also make note of if they are natural or not. This is done with Sarracenia, Drosera and extensively with Nepenthes. Also of note is an appendix about Sarracenia breeding. It covers how to make plants bloom at the same time (when normally they wouldn’t), pollination, plant and labeling!
Generally speaking a very insightful book, slightly outdated though, it’s about 27 years old now, but some information like cultivation and species information don’t really get dated, they just expand.
Sib
This book covers all carnivorous plants, and goes into detail about where they were found, by who and what makes defines different species and sub-species. The first 3/4 of this book is devoted to that information, no cultural information is included until the last portion of the book.
Chapter 10 is completely devoted to growing CPs and goes into good detail as to location (indoors, greenhouse, ect) and even breaks that down further as to the different ways you can grow CP’s in these areas. He breaks down growing information 2 ways, first he covers all generalities, medium, containers, water, ect, then goes into species grouping (technically by genus). He starts of by giving an introduction to the genus, then general cultivation, propagation, feeding, watering, temperature, and finally notes. In some cases he also gives information on pests and diseases as well as species and special comments like “why most people fail”.
One point of interest (for me at least) is the various lists in the book describing and listing the parentage of various hybrids that also make note of if they are natural or not. This is done with Sarracenia, Drosera and extensively with Nepenthes. Also of note is an appendix about Sarracenia breeding. It covers how to make plants bloom at the same time (when normally they wouldn’t), pollination, plant and labeling!
Generally speaking a very insightful book, slightly outdated though, it’s about 27 years old now, but some information like cultivation and species information don’t really get dated, they just expand.
Sib