Product Description

Cacti and succulents are guaranteed to invoke a response or an emotion. They are simply too dramatic not to be noticed and admired. "Cacti and Succulents" will familiarize the reader with the fascinating world of cacti and succulents, and introduce a selection of easy-to-grow species suitable for the beginner, as well as some of the more difficult and desirable species that make up this fascinating group of plants. Cacti and succulents differ vastly in shape and size: some, such as the mighty saguaro (Camegiea gigantea), can reach a height of over 20m, while others are no taller than a few stacked coins. Cacti increasingly find favour amongst city dwellers, regardless of whether they have large gardens or a balcony or patio available for a few choice plants only. As a result of their often bizarre morphologies, cacti have acquired a large worldwide following of dedicated collectors and growers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #753246 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

About the Author
Author Gideon Smith is Chief Director: Research and Scientific Services at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, and holds the John Acocks professorial chair at the University of Pretoria. As a past president of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study, and chairman of the World Flora Project, he also holds various positions on the steering committees of international botanical initiatives. His work on succulents has been widely recognized and he is the recipient of the prestigious Cactus d'Or (Monaco/IOS), a Fellowship from the American Cactus and Succulent Society and the Allen Dyer Medal (South African Succulent Society). He has published numerous books, scientific and popular papers on succulent plants. Consultant Dr Tony Mace has been involved in the management of the British Cactus and Succulent Society for many years and is currently publications manager and webmaster. He and his wife have authored a book on cacti and succulents, and regularly lecture on the subject both nationally and internationally. They have a personal collection of some 5,000 plants which has featured in a number of TV gardening programmes.

Customer Reviews

Good Information for the New Grower of Cacti
This is a comprehensive little book for anyone starting a collection of cacti or for that matter just wants to keep one or two in a south facing window or conservatory. The book points out that these wonderful plants needs as much light as possible to be at their best. Their unique shapes attract people to them, particularly people who have not got a large garden, or perhaps no garden at all and do not have the opportunity to grow other plants. These plants, particularly in the small species lend themselves to being unusual and interesting house plants.

There are tips on cultivation and also the pests and diseases that these plants can become susceptible to, e.g. mealy bugs (a tiny insect covered in a cotton wool like substance) and how to eradicate them, the pests that is, not the succulents. The book also gives you tips on the best species to grow indoors. Some cacti can have extremely sharp spines, one particular Ferocactus has the common name of the horse crippler. They are still very beautiful but if you have children, or pets, perhaps it would be wise to stay away from the heavily spined variety. The book certainly gives you plenty of choice and there are lots of photographs to help you make a decision.

There are a number of books of this type around , but this one is as good as any of them. It was published in 2006 so it is up to date with all its information, which is a bonus, as many cacti books, although usually good in content were published a number of years ago and photography and printing has improved so much in the last few years.