What book would you recomend?

Santa wants to know what I'd like for Christmas. ( I know, he's a bit early.) I would love to ask for a book about propagation. What would be the best all-around resource? I mostly start plants by seed and cuttings. I am relatively new at this so I need something with very clear instructions for each plant. Thanks in advance for your help!

The book American Horticultural Society Plant Propagation http://www.amazon.com/American-Horticultural-Society-Propagation-Plant/dp/0789441160/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254498550&sr=1-2 has a lot of favorable reader reviews, although you can browse Amazon for a lot of different Propagation books. Scroll down the page on that link for more information. Notice that the Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought section is horizontally scrollable and has a number of links to alternate books in the same subject area.

Use Amazon's Click to LOOK INSIDE! feature where it is available. It can be almost as helpful as browsing in a book store, and Amazon has a much larger selection than any "brick and mortar" book store. However, I have seen the book I mentioned in several local book stores.

ZM
(not associated with any product or vendor mentioned)

I just bought THE PLANT PROPAGATOR'S BIBLE and I'm not that impressed. Not enough basic info, like under the topic "Pollination"; they talk about the anther and stigma for propogating but they never tell you which is which and where. Simple stuff like that. (yes I need info that simple) lol.

Thanks for the tip, Davis! I'll be sure to skip that one...I would like reeealllly basic info. as well.

I second Zen_man's suggestion; the AHS book. I have it, it's a great reference. I *do* have to wear my glasses when I read it, it's crammed with info in tight spots! But nice pictures and covers a lot of ground.

I'm gonna have to spring for it then, cause mine was a waste of $22. I should've known better...sigh

me again...i clicked on the link & where it describes it says something like "take basal stem...), do they explain or note where/what the basal stem is?

Davis,

"...do they explain or note where/what the basal stem is?"

Type "basal" into the Search box and hit Go. You will get 68 results in some kind of goofy order. Page 87 and page 81 are at the top of the list followed by 79, 69, 65, and 51. The page number then jumps to 155, 156, 157, 166, 180, ... 193, 194 and then it says "Show 20 more results" so you can see more pages that contain the word "basal".

Click on "page 156" to display that page. On the lefthand side of that page, up near the top, there is a heading Basal Stem Cuttings, where it says:

"These consist of entire young shoots severed from the crown of the parent plant so that each retains a piece of parent tissue at the base. They are strong shoots in active growth and quick to form roots, unlike more mature shoots dedicated to producing flowers."

It goes on from there to provide more details. There may be some more relevant information on some of the other 68 pages that contain the word "basal". As Pagancat mentioned, the type in this book is rather small, so some people may need reading glasses to read it. It would be nice if they produced a Large Print edition of the book, but as far as I know, they haven't done that.

ZM

thanks so much guys, I just ordered it from Amazon, so hopefully it'll be all I need (other than my reading glasses)! This is one of the things I love about DG, folks helping folks. I appreciate it.

If I remember correctly, this latest edition is only a few years old - you know, updated info, pictures, etc. - but I'd bet the older (and less expensive) edition is about as good.

So, if Santa's pockets aren't deep this year, you might wanna check out that route.

Also, have you checked to see what's available at your library? Even if you want to buy the book, actually having it in your hands and looking at parts of it will let you know if it's what you want to invest in.

I, too, can be befuddled by some gardening books, some are a bit too advanced for my basic level of knowledge.

Karen

That's always the best idea Karen.

Thanks for all of the suggestions and help, guys (and gals)! I actually have looked at my local library but I live in a small town so that means a small library. ( I probably have more books on gardening than they do! LOL!) I have had some success with finding books at secondhand book stores and local antique shops. As for Santa, he will being placing an order with Amazon.

Santa is just *so* smart!

Better late than never........I need to suggest this book.......Making More Plants by Ken Druse. It is quite technical in the beginning but just wade through it, it will make more sense as you go. He provided lots of pictures and the best instructions I've ever seen.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Because books are so expensive, I try to check with my public library to see if they own the book I want and check it out first. Sometimes this can save you a lot of money before hand. That AHS book is good, I checked it out of the library a few weeks ago and just returned it. I order through Amazon.com as it is easy to manuever their site, and in aboug 3 business days, the book/books are delivered to my door. Sometimes if the library doesn't have it, I'll drop by Barnes & Noble and look through their copy and see if it is worth buying, and if I like it, I order it from Amazon.com and I figure I save anywhere from $10-$12 on most books, even with paying postage. Has anybody had good luck ordering through Books-a-million? B&N seems a bit pricey for my budget.

I currently have a library copy of the AHS book. I requested it online and it took weeks to get it. Haven't had much time to look at it but it looks pretty good and I think I can understand most of it. I'm thinking of putting it on my wish list for Santa.

Karen

FWIW I look on several book sites that specialize in used books or books from businesses that have gone out of business. I generally can get books at a few pennies on the dollar. Just recently I picked up a brand new copy of the "Encyclopedia of Ferns for $3.00. My favorite sites are

www.abebooks.com

www.alibris.com

www.bookfinder.com

Good luck!

This message was edited Dec 18, 2009 10:46 PM

This message was edited Dec 18, 2009 10:47 PM

Know this is an older post, but wanted to recommend "Making More Plants" by Ken Druse. He explains horticultual concepts in a manner I could easily understand, has great illustrations and beautiful photographs, and is very readable. This is not a techical manual, but an easy to understand book about how propagation works, from seed-starting through grafting.

It is a VERY expensive book, but by looking through Amazon (used), and EBay, I was able to find a used library copy for around $12 w/ shipping. I have also found many out-of-print (read $$$) on Alibris for totally reasonable prices

I have checked out of my local library, the AHS book, and yes, it is quite imformative. I have found, if you read several different books, and find info in common, that might be the way to go. I am still experimenting, but I'll save that for the other forums. I will tell you of some other books, of which are out of print, but you may find them through various searches:

Garden Flowers from Seed - Christopher Lloyd and Graham Rice
This book will give you details of some, and just general info about others, so it is inconsistent, but on the whole still informative

Parks Success with Seeds - Ann Reilly
This book is geared to the pro, as well as those with greenhouses, but still the home gardener can benefit from the information. At least you know these are tried and true methods.

The Complete Book of Growing Plants from Seeds - Elda Haring
This is a book geared for the home grower and is really quite good with lots of anecdotal information by the author.

The Book of Annuals - Alfred C. Hottes
This book is professional as well as charming, with many line drawings included for showing you all the details. The only thing is to be amused as to what they used for chemicals in the '30's and '40's! This, I would say has many helpful lists of which ones to start early, either hardy or tender, needing an early start.

Alfred Hottes also has a book of perennials, but with only a small amount of seed-starting info. The book on annuals is extremely thorough, and with many different helpful charts and lists.

I ordered a copy of the AHS book on progation and growing from seeds. I have a copy out of public library beside my bed now and it is such a great book that I had to have it, so ordered it from Amazon.com yesterday. I know I will get a lot of use out of it.

I saw AHS's book two days ago and thought I would not be able to live without it. Alan Toogood
wrote a similar one about a decade ago. It cost $16 rather than the $35. I do have a very good propagation book
Creataive Propagation by Peter Thompson,



























I did order another book by Alan Toogood the author of AHS's book on propagation. I just couldn't bring myself to spring for the $35. Also, I have here Creative Propagation
by Peter Thompson. This is a superb book as well. Today I continued to propagate
phlox from new shoots and from the matted tangle of roots which morph into plant
production some times. I plan to have dozens and dozens of beautiful phlox after I tackle my remaining three in gallon pots. Late this summer I will no blanch at the $6-7 cost of a gallon of phlox because I will know I am getting a fortune's worth of new
plants beginning in late August.

This is going to be my year of serious learning about cuttings, roots, etc.

Don't forget to check ebay, from time to time, as you can sometimes get the books you want at a very good price. There are other places as well. though sometimes amazon does have the best price.

Congrats on the Phlox. I have Phlox envy now :)