Growing Cacti And Other Succulents In The Conservatory And Indoors [Paperback]

Shirley-Anne Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

Cacti and succulents make some of the most interesting displays imaginable, in gardens of almost any type and size. And, these resilient, low-maintenance plants can take almost anything the climate throws at them. Whether used as striking accents in containers or as part of a total garden transformation, cacti have a modern, fresh feel. Plan your own succulent garden, with a longtime expert's instructions on choosing plants, preparing a scheme, dealing with weather conditions, adding special features, and using a variety of settings--scree gardens, rockeries, patios and decking, water features, and more. Throughout, the author's own drawings, along with dozens of luscious photographs, will guide and tempt you. A directory introduces 165 featured plants, divided into three sections by hardiness. Each plant has at least one close-up photograph, information on size, and a detailed description of its characteristics to help you in your selection.

Editorial Reviews

Review

No longer are cacti viewed as boring, dusty plants that will survive anything thrown at them but remain unattractive. Architectural in form, they are now attracting the attention of garden designers and plant retailers. Today's modern planters suit these amazing plants admirably. From terracotta through to stainless steel, there are cacti and succulents that will match and enhance these materials, adding instant glamour to a home or conservatory. Furthermore they are easy to keep, except for those who have a tendency to overwater, and will happily survive alone for two to three weeks while the owners are on holiday. Another hidden charm, not commonly known, is their ability to flower on a regular basis. Provided the necessary neglect is given during the winter months, flowers will appear like clockwork in the spring to give a welcome start to the new growing season. Many flower during winter too, such as the crassulas and schlumbergias, which gives them an added attraction during these otherwise flowerless months. Shirley-Anne Bell's book is a long overdue look at the variety and uses of these wonderful plants in the home and conservatory. From clump-forming to columnar, from trailing to climbing, there are cacti and succulents for every situation and many are listed here according to their uses. Illustrated by her husband's excellent photographs it is a good overview of the subject, albeit lacking slightly in depth, in particular the cultivation details of the different genera. For the novice collector this is a well-informed look at the way these plants can be displayed and should inspire them to search out the more unusual varieties at the same time as discovering new ways of showing the plants off to their best advantage. For those uninitiated in these plant's charms, just a flick through the book will incite a more lingering look and possibly the start of a new interest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Guild of Master Craftsman (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861082053
• ISBN-13: 978-1861082053
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,463,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One for the Novice Grower, November 23, 2007

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growing Cacti And Other Succulents In The Conservatory And Indoors (Paperback)

I applaud any book that sets out to help people enjoy their hobbies or collectibles more, but approached this book with a little trepidation. I have kept cacti and other succulents for over 40 years and I believe that the best place to keep them successfully (certainly in Britain) is in a greenhouse, where light, temperature and ventilation can be controlled to suit the plants and not humans.

Having read the book the author has gone a long way towards helping to alleviate the thousands and thousands of cacti that die either through neglect or lack of good growing conditions. This is a book aimed at those people who are fascinated by that `unusual plant' they see in the supermarket or garden centre. When they get it home they are amazed how long the flowers last, until, eventually they realise they are made of coloured paper and are stuck on, or even worse pinned to the plant.

The book has a reasonable selection of plants , it does help to differentiate between those that will remain manageable and those that will need a hole cutting in the ceiling. It also deals with plants that will flower (in fact virtually all of them will) given the right conditions and are of an age to do so. Regarding conservatories, yes they are ideal as far as light goes, but sometimes lack the ventilation required by the plants.

I hope I have not been too critical of the book as I think it is well written and well produced and for those who know little or nothing about these plants but would like to learn more it is ideal. Also of course not everyone has a greenhouse. Though be warned, once you have read this book and your eyes are opened to the wonderful variety of plants available, you probably will.