Product Description

For centuries, carnivorous plants have carried an air of fascination and mystique unparalleled in the plant world. "Growing Carnivorous Plants" is a comprehensive guide to identifying and cultivating these remarkable plants. From the well-known Venus flytrap to obscure African sundews, from the giant pitcher plant vines of Borneo the microscopic bladderworts of Florida, more than 200 species, hybrids and cultivars from all genera of carnivorous plants are described. Included are explanations of the fascinating and diverse mechanisms the plants use to trap their victims. Imitating a plant's natural environment is the key to success in growing carnivorous plants, and this book will help readers select the best plants to grow on a windowsill, in a terrarium or greenhouse. Information on how to feed carnivorous plants will enable even the most squeamish grower to ensure that plants receive the nutrients they require. The book's 400 photographs include both spectacular images from the wild and lovely plants in cultivation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #364464 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

About the Author
Barry A. Rice is an expert horticulturist who has been growing these bizarre plants since 1985 and has produced many noteworthy carnivorous plant cultivars. He is the editor of Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, the publication of the International Carnivorous Plant Society, and is also that organization's Director of Conservation Programs. Fascinated most by observing carnivorous plants in the wild, he has traveled throughout the USA to see and photograph them in their native habitat. He currently works for The Nature Conservancy.

Customer Reviews

Photograhps Galore
I got this book because ever since I was a boy I have had a fascination with the Venus Fly Trap. As plentiful as they are nowadays in garden centres everywhere, they were virtually impossible to find in those days and if you did find one it was bound to be expensive. Nowadays they are usually no more expensive than any other plant.

This book opened up a wonderland of carnivorous plants that I did not even know existed. The humble Venus Fly Trap or to give it it's proper name Dionaea muscipula is now bred in a range of colours from green through to red and must be the most popular of the carnivorous plants. There are lots of sundews in the America's and we even have one of our own that grows in boggy parts of moorland. The beautiful pitcher plants are also shown. The names of the plants are many and varied. Here are some of them: Monkey Cups, Butterworts, Bladderworts, Trumpet Pitchers, Cobra Lily. Fascinating names for fascinating plants.

The photographs in the book are absolutely stunning and show not only plants growing in habitat but also plants grown in cultivation. There are tips on how to keep these plants successfully, for instance the Venus Fly trap does not exist solely on the insects it can eat, in fact its main source of nutrient comes from the soil in which it lives. Having said that, you fertilise these plants at our peril. I believe that the nurseries that grow these plants do fertilise them, but with very accurate minute quantities and if you tried to feed your own plant at home the chances are you would kill it, perhaps not immediately, but sooner or later it would succumb,

Weird and wonderful
Even if you aren't into carnivorous plants, this book is really interesting. The book is a good size, plenty of pages, and covers nearly everything you need to know.
The photos are fantastic, and amazing too.
I bought this as a gift, and was very pleased with it, even though I think quite expensive with postage, but it's a specialized subject so not that many around to choose from.

Growing Carnivorous Plants by Barry Rice, a review by Ron Wood
I have been growing carnivorous plants for many years. I find them abosolutely fascinating. I have quite a few books on the subject and bought this one when it first came out. It is an excellent book with loads of useful information and fabulous pictures. If you are an enthusiast or just starting out I definately recommend this book.