Customer Reviews

Cactus: The most beautiful varieties and how to keep them healthy

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've purchased over a dozen books on cacti, but none of them thoroughly discuss the proper care for cacti grown at home. I was amazed by author Elisabeth Manke's attention to detail as it pertains to information you actually need. For instance, one section of the book covers general cactus care on a month-by-month basis. For an Ohio cactus enthusiast, that kind of information is invaluable. Indeed, one of my cactus plants owes its life to this book!

If you often read about cacti, you already know that there is a lot of conflicting information out there from highly reputable sources. In my experience, any time the information in this book differs from that in other books, this book is the one that is correct (and that even counts a $100 cactus encyclopedia!) All of the pictures and species are properly labeled by modern naming conventions.

If you need a book to help you ID wild cacti in the Arizona desert, this one probably isn't it (despite the hordes of beautiful photos). If you're trying to raise a few (or a few hundred) plants of your own in a windowsill or a greenhouse, this book is the best resource I've found! I wish I would have bought this book first. I'd have saved a couple hundred dollars...

I have been an avid cactus fan since I was very young (I'm 16 now), but I never had a really good book on cacti until now. This one is concise, comprehensive, and offers a wide range of gorgeous color photos. Sure, it was the only one my local bookstore had. But by the same token, it is excellent, and not too expensive either. For the cactus lover.

Enough information for beginners to start with and valuable information for early collector to keep in mind. EXCELLENT ILLUSTRATIONS!. It has a great variety of species for the size of the book.

I am quite glad I added this one to my collection. The photographs found in this volume are quite good, beautiful, as a matter of fact. I had to agree with another reviewer in that I do wish more of the actual plant was shown, rather than the flower. There are some very good growing tips in this small volume which I found very helpful. No one book can fill all of your needs is raising/growing any plants and I have found that it is very necessary to purchase a number of them. This is one I am glad to have added to the growing shelf. I did give this one five stars as the photographs alone are worth it. Recommend.

This should be called Cactus Flowers because there is very little in this book other than pictures taken from above of cactus flowers, frequently obscuring the cacti themselves for page after page. There is hardly any discussion on form, spines, etc. just flowers, flowers, flowers. The actual photography of the flowers itself is very well done. There are some good tips on care, but it is very repetitive. This would be a good book for someone who likes pretty plant books or flowers, not necessarily someone interested in cacti.

Lots of useful, practical information for the cactus novice or more experienced gardener. Great color photos with step by step instructions.

Wow. Some of the most beautiful pictures here. The book seems very well put together. Instructions are clear and informative without being too scientific-y or too offhand. Very relevent information and great organization, along with fantastic photographs to inspire.