2 comments about Gardening Indoors with H.I.D. Lights.

1. "Gardening Indoors with HID Lights" is a cross between a technical manuscript and an How To book for beginners. With a bachelors in cellular biology, this book was perfect for me. It explained how plants react to different parts of the light spectrum for different parts of their growth cycle. It steered me away from what would have been an ineffective fluorescent to maintain my citrus trees during the snowy winter. Instead the authors skillfully discuss the relationship of cost, watts, and effective indoor growth area for what is essentially artificial sunlight. As a novice, I decided not to take all their advice about an indoor lighting system, since I wasn't sure it would really work as advertised. But the practical science which is woven throughout this book would have been an equally effective guide for a much more elaborate set up. The salesperson where I ended up purchasing my HID system did not recommend this book since it was "too technical." I myself would recommend this book to anyone who studies their gardening and purchases other garden books. A high intensity discharged lighting system will cost several hundred dollars. My system had no information with it guide me in it's use. This book neatly fills the gap.



2. Book contains about 154 pages and is divided into 6 sections. The sections discuss Light, Artificial Light, HID Lamps, Reflectors, Setup, and Electricity Basics. Appendices include Radiant Energy, Requirements of Plants, Troubleshooting, Types of Lamps, Glossary, and Index.

   The book is a mixed bag of great information and cluttered lists of data. The major theme of the book wanders about. Some of the discussions contradict each other. For example, Van Patten does a masterful job describing why useful light for plants should not be measured in lumens. But then he goes ahead and displays his huge listing of light readings in lumens. Why? You made your point, use PAR Watts.

   In another section, Van Patten decribes every possible detail about horticultural lamps and reflector systems, but draws no summary with a specific list of brands and models. Don't get me wrong, he lists lots of data. Pages and pages of spreadsheet like lumen data for over 115 models of bulbs. Pages and pages of 54 three dimensional charts. Yah, great, you did lots of research - but I don't need to see all the raw data. Just tell me which bulb I should buy. Maybe give me a top ten list. Should I really care what the lumens are for the 97th best bulb?

   Many conclusions are very vague. For example Van Patten actually writes, "we still do not know which lamp is best". Gee, that a great reason to write a book.

   I'm torn as how to rate this book. The book contains many jewels of information that are well researched and finely written. Some of Van Patten's findings are exciting, extremely interesting, and even thought provolking. But in between is a littered jumble of confusing tables and charts. It's disorganized. There are lots of typographical errors throughout. He should have hired a book editor before publishing this (or hired a smarter one).

   If you plan to garden indoors with HID lights, you must buy this book (you have no other choice but this book, because there are no other texts available). The book is most valuable to purchase BEFORE you select a HID system. It will save you from making a costly mistake.

   PS: I use two HID lamps, a 400 watt Agrosun and a 400 watt Sunmaster Warm Deluxe. Both are installed in identical Hydrofarm Super Grow Wing Systems. I love the results - I can grow anything!

2 comments about Gardening Indoors, New Revised (Gardening Indoors).

1. i used this book as a guideline for growing my dope crop over the last 16 months now. so far ive had 4 successful crops each in excess of ten pounds of head, and thats with only four plants! the methods described in this book are also great for the home grower as you no longer need worry about snoopers in your backyard because noone but you knows what's in your cupboard (be careful though the electricity co. might get sus.) in summary i reccommend this book to anyone interested in home hydro, as i said it certainly helped me!



2. Gardening Indoors should be considered the bible for indoor gardening. It has a chapter dedicated to the important topic of lighting. It compares different garden light systems including High Intensity Discharge lights such as High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide lights as well as different types of fluorescent lighting. This book also contains extensive information on controlled environments including temperature, humidity, and even the potential for Carbon Dioxide enrichment and its benefits. Gardening Indoors also has an excellent chapter on hydroponics. It talks about water and fertilizers, natural pest control, and organics. Anyone growing anything from orchids to vegetables indoors should have this book.

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1 comments about Taylor's Weekend Gardening Guide to Kitchen Gardens: How to Create a Beautiful and Functional Culinary Garden (Taylor's Weekend Gardening Guides).

1. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to start a kitchen garden that is to be a beautiful & enjoyed part of the garden. This book starts with a brief summary of the history of kitchen gardens, and the basics of gardening, but does not waste it's time in a lengthy discussion in either of those topics. Rather, it quickly moves on to talk about fundamental design principles in developing an beautiful & functional vege patch, with detailed inclusions on plant suggestions for various design needs. It has lots of great ideas, including companion flower planting and kitchen plants suitable for a night garden. The example gardens are not enormous and historical gardens that cannot be repeated in the suburban garden, but instead are lovely, inspiring gardens that have been created in someone else's backyard. An inspiring and practical book.

5 comments about The After-Dinner Gardening Book.

1. This book is an absolute hoot! Everyone is amazed that I can grow a grocery store pineapple and have it produce an actual pineapple. It is fun for the whole family and, if you follow the detailed instructions, you can successfully garden using food that you get from your grocer. It is well written and the instructions are easy to follow.



2. What a fun book! Informative too. I couldn't put it down, and have since grown my *own* avocado plant with my toddler (we named ours Audrey). The stories associated with the author's experience with each plant are funny, sometimes hysterically so. My favorite was the image of him standing on a ladder forcefully throwing coconuts into a bathtub filled with saltwater to simulate coconuts falling out of a tree into the ocean. Don't worry, after describing how he experiments, he tells you the easier shortcuts (a ladder wouldn't fit into my bathroom anyway). Reading it makes you want to immediately buy and eat the exotic fruits he describes just for the seeds and the fun of trying to grow them (inside, my favorite place - no bugs, controlled climate, etc.). My only complaint is that the fruits are indeed largely exotic. The fruits in the book include mango, Chinese gooseberry, prickly pear, sugarcane, and pomegranate. I was hoping for some plain orange, lemon, or apple seed hints as well. Maybe other people are better at growing such ordinary plants, or at least less intimidated than me, but I loved having the plant-specific instructions that maximize the chances of success. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book, especially for those who would like to have a green thumb but just don't quite (like me) or for those who just like funny stories. Here's hoping for a sequel, even after all this time! :-)



3. I've read a lot of gardening books and by far this is my favorite. Not only is it informative and the only book I've ever seen on the subject- it reads better than many novels I've read!
   I love the authors' sense of humor and how he includes his wife's bewildered amusement at his sudden obsession with growing exotic fruits. It really hit home with me because I get many of the same reactions from family and friends. My mother stopped asking questions when I asked to use her blender (for pureeing moss to start seeds in) and other kitchen utensils. I guess she decided she was better off not knowing, and now my boyfriend is learning the same.
   I plan on buying all of them a copy of this book. Maybe it'll help explain what goes on in the mind of someone who's been bitten by the "bug".
   My only complaint is the book is no longer in print!



4. I've owned this book since the seventies. I like it for its easy instructions that are really geared to sucess if followed. The humor is a plus! I have gone back to it over and over through the years. This morning, I was trying to find out how to germinate a cherry seed but,alas, that's not included. Not to worry I have lots of pits and will just see what happens. I only wish an updated issue of this book would soon emerge!



5. This is such and excellent book, I must research and see if the author is still living. My original copy of this book purchased about 10-15 years ago was chewed up by my chihuahua. We still kept it and my daughter who married last year remembered it and wanted to re-read and use since it had helped her germinate a mango pit sucessfully when she was a child. The book is such a pleasant read and gives such great advice on germinating odd seeds and pits. I'm so glad I was able to get a "new" copy and have sent it to her as a gift. The illustrations are excellenty done by the authors wife. I'd love to meet them and have them autograph by copy.

5 comments about Easy-Care Guide to Houseplants.

1. Most of us have time for only one thing nowadays, simplicity. This book simplifies caring for house plants. I still cannot find 20-10-10 plant food it recommends [for my aloe plant], but that's a small thing. I'll probably find it online.



2. This was a very informative book. I have never been a able to keep a plant alive before. Now people say I have a green thumb.
   My home and deck are full of healthy beautiful plants. Every plant,in the book, has a great photo and full discription of light needs and exact fertilizer times and needs. I have had a hard time finding a few of the fertilizers needed, so I may start tring some of the great fertilizer recipes given. Every thing needed is here. How to propigate, transplant, divide. A full list of discriptions of possible plant problems and the solutions. I would suggest this book to anyone as a great resource. As a matter of fact, I've lent it out a few times.(But I make sure to get it bact soon)



3. I have yet to met someone who wouldn't appreciate a healthy indoor plant. This book is excellent - it's concise, informative and written in a way even the most inexperienced plant owner can understand. It's worth buying just for the pictures alone! Come on, bring nature indoors!



4. Easy-Care Guide to Houseplants is a beautiful book to look at, but it is for the beginner. The "how to" section does go into detail with beautiful pictures showing you each step of the way. The decorating ideas look nice, but it would be more practical if they were silk plants. The placement of the plants is very impractical, either the plants don't get enough light or watering the plants would be a hugh chore.
   The Plant Profiles is just an introduction to houseplants. This book is definitely not for the experienced houseplant person who is looking for real information on individual plants. Experienced houseplant people keep looking this book isn't for you.



5. Too simplistic. Too many pictures and not enough information. Even the info given is not detailed enough. Many common household plants mot even listed ex.the snake plant. I purchased this book on the great reviews and this is the first time I'm very disappointed. Trust me and save your money.

5 comments about Indoor Garden Book.

1. This book has a lot of style and substance. It's mainly geared for someone who wants to decorate with house plants and the advice on leaf coloring and size of plant is really helpful if you want to know how to display your plants aesthetically. The book is organized by house location (living room, bathroom, etc.) then the kinds of plant (bulbs, bushy plants, upright plants, winter flowers, etc.). There's also a section in caring for dried flowers. The section in artificial lights and hydroculture is a bit scanty, but that doesn't seem to be the main focus of the book. The care and regulation of plants is shunted in the back section of the book.



2. This book is wonderful for quick reference. Beautiful pictures help guide plant selection. The "plant finder's guide" is useful because it uses symbols to define the care needed for each plant. This guide is categorized by the physical characteristics of the plants (ie, trailing plants, climbing plants, etc.). What is lacking is a more comprehensive selection of plants, especially the more unusual ones.



3. This is an excellent choice for someone who wants to learn about plants. It includes a good number of plants and their care and also has excellent information about forcing bulbs, propogating by air layering, etc. The directions for the care of specific plants are easy to understand--no mention is made of the number candlelight whatevers you need to grow them. Overall I think this is an excellent book for anyone interested in indoor gardening. The pictures are nice too.



4. Whether you want to learn a little about hydroculture or terrariums to just your everyday houseplant or hanging basket, it's a very good overlook at different types and styles of indoor gardening.This is a great book that not only provides information on growing plants and caring for them, but also gives tips on where and how to place them in various environments. Also, there are interesting craft ideas thrown in for those who want to get creative with their plants and flowers.



5. I purchased this book used. It is absolutely wonderful including a multitude of projects with easy to understand directions, recommendations and suggestions. The entire 'manual' is chock-full with beautiful color photos. Projects range from arranging to terrariums to bonsai to optimal placement, to plant care. This book is indispensable to someone looking for a few fun projects or someone who just wants to add a gem of a plant book to their shelf. Happy Reading!

2 comments about Glorious Indoor Gardens.

1. I am always on the lookout for great books I can give as gifts. One I found recently is Glorious Indoor Gardens by Michele Driscoll Alioto. The book is exceptionally informative, and provides a wealth of practical ideas for anyone interested in gardening, regardless of level of expertise. On top of that, it has some great pictures of spectacular gardens! I put it on my coffee table and all of my guests have commented on how amazing the gardens are. It is a great addition to any household, both as a flip-through picture book and an informative reference guide. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the beautiful things in life!



2. In an era of compromised writing and substandard visual accents in books, this one stands out as a gem not to be missed. Glorious Indoor Gardens is meticulously researched and beautifully written. It highlights gardens across the United States which are characterized by the fact that they are, well, indoors.

   If you are not familiar with the author, Miclele Driscoll Alioto, she is the host of HGTV's "The Inside Dirt". I have also read several articles she has written for the San Francisco Chronicle Home and Garden section, where I believe she is a regular columnist.

   Alioto structured the book creatively. She clearly spent time interviewing the subjects of the book and has written fascinating profiles of these gardeners (seriously, you want to meet each and every one of these people and have dinner with them!) and the diverse gardens they have developed (small spaces, large spaces, urban, country - one even features a floor made out of sand!)

   Glorious Indoor Gardens also provides quality gardening information and tips. You can tell that the author is well-versed and educated about practical gardening, and presents these hints and suggestions in a clear manner.

   In addition to the useful, culturally diverse and interesting content, Alioto's book is absolutely gorgeous. It is well presented and the photographs are stunning. Truly, one receives a glimpse into the lives of the gardeners and their gardens. This book is phenominal - I have never been so intuitively moved by a book on gardening. I think it is because so many of my gardening books are either too dry and factual, or they are too heavily reliant on the beauty of the photographs, and the text suffers.

   This one really stands out. I have already purchased several copies for friends, gardeners and non-gardeners alike, as gifts. I brought one copy to cheer up a friend who is currently in the hospital recovering from a serious procedure, and who is slightly depressed. She called me bubbling with excitement - I hadn't heard a smile in her voice for a long time. Reading this book, and looking at the beautiful pictures, lifted her spirits and momentarily took her mind off of her pain. Now, she can't wait to get home and start gardening again!

   I highly recommend this book to you, even if you are not an avid gardener. This is the first time I have ever posted a book review, and give it a HUGE thumbs-up, it is really not one to be missed and is one of a kind. I can't wait for her to write another!

No comments about The Gardener's Guide to Growing Orchids.

No comments about Gardening Indoors with Rockwool (Gardening Indoors).