Good morning!
Just had to let everyone know I received my copy of Back to Basics by Melvin Robey yesterday....so excited...I ordered it on December 20, 2006.
I had ordered mine before it was announced on this forum as Jeanne at the Violet Voice announced on Dec 12 as I went back and checked it out and then our Nancy announced it on one of our Canadian forums as well so I got in on it early....hope everyone gets theirs okay.
Also found a copy of his first book as well., African violets queens of the indoor gardening kingdom by Melvin J. Robey for 25.00 including shipping to Canada.
Wishing everyone the best for 2007!!!!
Joanne
Melvin Robey - Back to Basics
I got mine last Friday :))
Back to Basics by Melvin Robey :))
Morning!
Why didn't you let us all know?
I paid more for shipping than the book was worth :((((
Joanne
Maybe same reason you did not let us know you were ordering Hehe
Life gets busy :))
Mel said he hopes to finish his re-print of Av's Gift of Nature this Summer when he gets back from Thailand ! Book one that is which will be Chapter 1-5 and should be on sale the end of year 2007. He said it will take two years to get all books done so your lucky to get a book of first print for $25.00 ! It will have new info from other growers
He has a web sight now also ! It's new so not much info on it yet.
I only had to pay clost to $7.00 shipping I could have paid less but it would have been Media mail and took longer to ship.
Mel is such a pleasant person ! Mel said " My biggest obstacle is finding a new illustration for the
book. What I will be doing with the series is; I will produce 3 books in the series: #one will have chapters 1-5, #two will have chapters 6-11, and #three will have chapters 12-16. I will also be adding special new material from other writers to each book. As we all know there is more than one way to grow gorgeous african violets. Each book will be priced individually and at this time I do not have a clue as to what the price will be I would truly appreciate it if you mention my new book the
series on any of the AV forums you visit. MERRY CHRISTMAS Mel
**** So I have been sharing info for Mel about his new book out and his exciting Re-Pub of Av's Gift from Nature ! I am very excited about all of them !
You can buy the out of print book from AVSA for $45.00 among other books.
http://www.avsa.org/Store/Books.html
I did just find one for $ 28.00 plus shipping came to little over $ 31.00 .
There was one for $14.95 plus shipping guess it sold did you get that one ?
Morning Allison,
Well that is why I let you know about the other book I got....next time I will be sure to let you know when I am ordering anything okay...hehe...
I am really grateful that Jeanne mentioned on the VV and she also gave his email so I also emailed him but wasn't lucky enough to get a return email. I guess because I had mentioned Nancy in our group had told me about it...not sure but anyway just glad I was able to get in on it.
It is a more basic book but also some very good info for those that are experts as well. Something for everyone....
Wow that was excellent service Allison...you ordered yours on the 24th I think you said and you got iton the 29th! I ordered mine on the 20th of December and it wasn't even shipped out until the 26th of December from Nashville, TN so I guess that wasn't too long. It is just the cost of shipping that kills a person.
Yes I am also looking forward to his next release....will let you know when I order it....hehe....
I guess the Gifts from Nature is supposed to be his best book. I would love to get this one as well but a little too rich for my blood.
Joanne
Hi Allison,
No mine was 19.00 plus 6.00 shipping. I can't find that one for 45.00.
Thanks,
Joanne
Hi Allison,
I got a hardcover of Gifts from Nature at amazon.ca for 61.80 CDN so that was a terrific price! Shipping is 3-5 business days so won't get in until next week but that is okay.
Thanks for your help as well.
Joanne
The $45.00 one is on this link AVSA web page down. http://www.avsa.org/Store/Books.html
The other one I fount on a search few bits ago. Like the one you fount everyone once in awhile a good price pops up !
I noticed Nancy mentioning about the book on Violet Voice but she said she was going to buy one from Mel direct when he got back. I don't go there often but when I did notice Nancy 's posting about the new book ! and she thought it would be under $30.00 I posted the link Mel gave me to buy the book and he asked to share the info so I did :))
Mel told me to go to the web sight that was selling it for $14.95 hard cover, $9.95 soft . He said though his Royalty was less it is a nicer book. My book got shipped out the next day ! I might have order it a day or two before posting I'd have to check charge card to be sure.
I guess I missed Jeanne 's posting about it ( Back to Basics ) ?? I went back and could just find her posting about his re-publishing of his Av Gift from Nature !
Either way I'm excited about the new book and the News of Mel re-publishing his Ab Gifts from Nature :)) Even if it's going to be over a two year period. So I guess I might have to get a Valentines gift and get an out of print deal there are a few in The $28.00 range with $3.45 s/H . I would think Shipping to out of the Country would be more $$$ and take longer ??
I fount some here as low as $27.00 plus shipping !
http://www.bestwebbuys.com/African_Violets_Queens_of_the_Indoor_Gardening_Kingdom-ISBN_0498023494.html?isrc=b-search
Oh I feel the new book cover is very pretty ! I also enjoy how they gave review of his new books in it !
I like how he shows in a picture of a thermometer among the plants on a light stand allowing monitoring . It's important to have them right on the stand. On pag e 84.
Oh for Vermiculite growers it says Mel roots most of his suckers in pure vermiculite ! With picture pg. 75.Even a picture from his book from Gift from Nature on page 47 !
It's a very interesting great book I highly recommend it to everyone !
I bought his first book from Nancy for $41.00 plus $10.00 or so ship. I enjoyed it much and gave it to Jan " Jannich" with other books for her to enjoy ! It is an excellent book too !
Hi Allison,
I am surprised that he is using a clay pot on page 75 with the vermiculite....I don't like using clay pots at all for AV's. Plus he also states that is from his book AV's - Gifts from Nature...so there might be some repeats.
That was the link where I found the amazon.ca book. Thanks just the same though.
Joanne
Yes that's the picture on page 75 I mentioned above ! Most likely sense the photo is from his 1980 book a lot more people grew using Clay pots. They use to have to wrap them in foil for shows at least they did at our local group which started back in the early 50's. Now they use white pots , except for trailers, or Gesneriads.
Some people have mentioned lately on forum here how they enjoy rooting their leaves in Vermiculite only. So I mentioned above " Oh for Vermiculite growers it says Mel roots most of his suckers in pure vermiculite ! With picture pg. 75.Even a picture from his book from Gift from Nature " :)) might be of some interest to them !
I have several friends that just grow in Vermiculite and Perlite.
I notice a lot , if not all the photo's in this new book are from the AV girdt's from nature book.
Mel said his " My biggest obstacle is finding a new illustration for the
book." The new re-pub of Av's Gifts from Nature " I imagine if he is having a hard time is the reason he used photo's from that book for this new one !
The best thing a grower can do when having a problem or growing Av's is go back to the Basic's :))