The Practical Illustrated Guide to Growing Cacti & Succulents: The Definitive Gardening Reference On Identification, Care And Cultivation, With A Directory Of 400 Varieties And 700 Photographs

A great book for beginners

Very easy to follow, good pictures and info on all varieties of succulents. I recommended it to my sister who also grows succulents.

I know a fair amount about the subject, but I know nothing compared to the author's knowledge of the subject. I've bought from him before (we live in the same part of the same desert) and just listening to him talk to people about his items for sale is an education. It comes through in the book, too, he has a knack for dispensing knowledge in a perfectly detailed way without being condescending. I'm very glad I bought the book.

If you already own or are looking at Miles Anderson's, The Ultimate Book of Cacti and Succulents, this is the same book - it seems that it was published under two titles. This book, along with Terry Hewitt's, The Complete Book of Cacti and Succulents (Mr. Hewitt was a consultant for The World Encyclopedia... )make for essential companions for the enthusiasts of cacti/succulents. This book is somewhat more expansive in the species covered than other books, including the Complete Book..., and is loaded with stunning photographs and cultivation information much like the other well organized books on the subject, and like those books, a close reading will expose a number of tips and tidbits of info that are indespensible to the knowledgable raising of succulent plants ("cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti"). Perhaps the most significant suggestion found in a number of gardening books is the purchase and use of a moisture meter (they're quite inexpensive if one checks discount chains)to aid in the how much and when watering question. This book is quite helpful toward the identification of plants - it wasn't until I spotted a photo of an immature Saguaro that I realized that a very large plant I've been tending for more than 20 years was one of those majestic giants (and I live in New England). The detailed information of species also make this an ideal buying guide, especially for those looking for easy to care for groups of plants. All the information needed to grow and care for your plants is included here, making this an excellent book to start with, or to companion with whatever books you might already own on the subject. Happy gardening

Love the book however the print is very tiny

The book is great for identifying cacti and succulents and it gives good information on how to care for these plants. The photos are great and it is written well.

I have a book exactly this same size, with the title, and by an author with same last name. I thought it must be updated edition by a son, and perhaps it is, but it contains much less information .

This book is really nice with lots of information and pictures. However, It is just a smaller sized version of the Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Growing Cacti and Succulents that was published in 2000. So if you have that book, skip this one. There isn't any updates or additions--it's exactly the same book .

A nice looking compact hardback book BUT it's really for the specialist. I love succulents and have many of various types and colours but there is very little mention of any of mine which were all bought from ordinary garden centres. So if you like the rarer types - some of which are very strange - this book will probably be right for you.

The photos were excellent. The info was great in identifying where it was from and other pertinent details. Our one complaint was no common names were used to identify the cactus or succulents. This made it difficult in looking up the cacti etc. by using names that we know them by. If you are looking for a less scientific book we would recommend looking else where.

Excellent book to have and to read.

Lots of things to learn and do

Excellent colour photos and lots of information on both cacti and succulents. Very good value.