[.ca] Making More Plants: The Science, Art, and Joy of Propagation (ISBN 051770787X)

From Amazon.com:
Generally, a gardening book that teaches practical skills is designed to look more like a plain textbook than an artful coffee-table decoration, but Ken Druse (The Natural Garden, The Collector's Garden) has changed that with his gorgeous book Making More Plants. An invitation to examine the miracle of birth in the botanical world is at the center of this book, and you'll be amazed and delighted as Druse's photos and text bring this astonishing world to life. Filling these pages are close-up photos of plants at every stage of life and in every variety--pinecones, dried seed pods, root and stem cuttings, ripe fruits, and lush flowers show off their unique shapes and colors everywhere you look. Specific techniques are outlined with both photos and text; from the spore prints of ferns to the nicking of hard-shelled seeds, you'll learn exactly how to tackle every aspect of creating new plants. Careful attention is paid in the text to the timing of taking different types of cuttings from different plants, and these practical details will hopefully help curb any urgent desire to play Johnny Appleseed with your favorite wildflowers until the season is exactly right. Special projects like hardwood cutting and involving children in plant propagation have small sections devoted to them; the African violet project for youngsters is a fascinating introduction, and only slightly more involved than that old carrot-top-in-a-dish-of-water project. For serious gardeners who enjoy plants for more than their pretty flowers and attractive shapes, this combination of science and beauty will supply both inspiration and information. --Jill Lightner

Everyone can learn something from this book:
The title of this book says it all and the book, as unbelievable as it may be, delivers it all. Whether you want to learn about propagation by seed, cutting, layering, grafting, division, leaves, roots or how to propagate geophytes, the clear, detailed instructions and step-by-step photos will get you working in no time. Ken Druse, gardener and photographer extraordinaire, has packed this book with photos and has not started in on the details without providing plenty of preparation tips including information on seed collecting and storing and a quick botany lesson. And Druse doesn't leave you guessing about how to propagate the plants you want - an extensive appendix fills you in on the best methods for specific plants by listing them alphabetically. Making More Plants is incredibly useful as both a quick reference and as a gardening textbook for learning more complex techniques.

Spectacular, Inspiring Book!:
While I'm a relative newby to the propagation world, I strongly recommend this book on several merits. Ken Druse communicates eloquently the science of plant propagation, and yet his photography strongly appeals to one's artistic sense. Most books on propagation or starting seed are dry, blandly illustrated, and really don't do much to foster the art of the science. Ken has done it all. You simply cannot help but daydream while paging through the book. A treasured addition to your botanical book collection, Ken Druse will share space with greats like Rosemary Verey, Penelope Hobhouse, and Mary Keen.

Making More Plants: The Science, Art, and Joy of Propagation:
This is an O.K. book, the pictures are great, but the information is lacking. It covers the basics, yet it is too artsy, great coffe table book for the Martha Stewart-set. The writting is to flowery for me, I want information, not Ken drooling over some guy in Colorado..Oh Kelly this and Kelly that, he can make wood grow in my pants. Or Ken bragging about the property he bought...Blah, blah, blah, to much editorial and not enough substance, especially for the price! I was hoping for a lot more for thirty five bucks and to think it was selling for fifty, Holy Cats!!!, Highway robbery! No wonder he can afford the property he bragged about. I plan to wrap this one up and give to one of my gay friends for Christmas and buy something else with more meat and less stuffing!

I love this book:
This is one of those rare books that has excellent content as well as being visually stunning. I've learned from this book how to propagate many of my own plants - by getting cuttings and seeds from neighbors, friends and countryside. The beautiful photography is great eye candy for any plant lover. Highly recommended.

Best Gardening Book for the amateur Gardner, Ever.:
This book explains everything I want to know about preparing, sowing, and grafting plants. Mr. Druse has answered every question I've had. very well written. Easy to understand. Great detail.