Customer Reviews

Creative Propagation: A Grower's Guide

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

 

 

Easy to read and complete. Good size to take in to the feild. This book was suggested to me by the Masters at Mt. SI Bonzai, now Eden Gardens (Barton, Ore.) and has proved to be the the only book needed by us as we began to propagate more and more variety at our Puget Sound area nursery.

I am a gardener of many years who has tried propagating plants with some luck. This book is wonderful. On my first try last August (1999) I took about 30 azalea cuttings and every one of them "took". My problem now is what do I do with all of them. :) The propagation table at the end of the book (that lists plants alphabetically)is one of the best I've ever seen. It tells if a plant can be started by seed, cutting or divisions and what time of the year is best. I also did some hydrangeas (100% success) and some crepe myrtle (75%). I have already recommended this book to all my gardening friends and I recommend it to anyone who likes to be surrounded with lots of "plant babies". :)

I rated this book as four-star for this two reasons:

First, because I cannot understand why this book is printed in special glossy paper, if 80% of it is mostly text. And we know how special paper adds to price and that must be the reason why this book is quite expensive for my taste.

The second reason is that for a book with this price tag, I'd expect a lot more illustrations and maybe some real pictures, instead of drawings.

Now into the the good aspects! This book is solidly written and covers all aspects of plant propagation. From trees to flowers and bulbs, etc...

There is a good section on propagation from cuttings and all the info you need to start growing plants from seeds, which were my main objectives when I bought this book.

The stratification process of seeds in the refrigerator is also covered, as well as there are some very useful instructions about how should we properly long-term store our own seeds.

As someone said before, there is a very handy chart by the end of the book, with plenty of useful information on the propagation of most of the plants you'd ever think of propagating.

As I said before, I think this book is a bit expensive and not as illustrated as I wish it was, but overall I think it is a good investment for people interested in propagating plants.

It is the kind of complete book that you will keep in your shelf and go search for answers when more doubts arise, as you get more experienced in this loving art.

If you just want to propagate some plants or maybe grow some seeds, I'd also suggest Alan Toogood's book on growing, which is more simple than this one, but on the other hand has plenty of pictures and may be easier for a beginner to follow.

"Creative Progagation" was just the nicest book for me the hobby Greenhouse Buff.....I have tons of books on propagating and greenhouse techniques I have gotten for gifts over the 4 years I have had my greenhouse and some I have purchased myself and this one is by far one of the TOP FAV'S of all the ones in my bookshelf I refer to all the time!!!! Great Great Book and I recommend it for anyone who has a greenhouse for a hobby.....neat good ideas!!!!!

A must have if your a serious propagator or student looking for real answers. Easy to read, In conclusion a well rounded book that gets results.

Dr. Gary D. Robbins P.hd

This text should not be purchased by someone who has never done any plant propagation before. It is too general in its explanations and very vague as to specific plant propagation. Wish I hadn't purchased this book.