BOOK REVIEWS

The Complete Book of
Plant Propagation

Various contributors including Jim Arbury, Richard Bird, Mike Honour, Clive Innes, Mike Salmon
Published by Mitchell Beazley
$NZ49.95

WHETHER you're green-fingered or a hit-and-miss merchant, you're bound to get something out of this book. Regardless of plant material, the book points out that the foundation for successful propagation is simply good hygiene and the right conditions for rooting and growth. Where one method fails, another will succeed.

Thirteen British experts have contributed. The book's success is borne out by the fact this is the third imprint in seven years and its "propagation-for-dummies" approach seems the drawcard. Chapters explain why and when you should propagate herbaceous perennials, ferns, shrubs, trees and climbers and so on - then discuss suitable techniques.

Another strength is the clear illustrations and their practical, concise captions. There's a succinct explanation on hybridising, directories on what to propagate season by season and on pests and diseases.

A useful primer on propagation that fills a gap in the gardener's library.

Weekend Gardener, Issue 145, 2004, Page 28
(reproduced in Horticulture in New Zealand:
Journal of the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture 2005, 8(1): 22)

• Also see later review from Weekend Gardener, Issue 208, 2006, Page 34

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH