Jerry Baker's Happy, Healthy Houseplants

Rating:
Summary: Good information; definitely not for everyone
Review: It is important to note that this is not a reference for plant varieties, but rather a "...for Dummies" style guide to houseplant selection, maintenance, and propagation. The information is general, rather than plant-specific, and there are no specimen pictures in this book. Chapters are organized by subject, such as lighting considerations, warning sign recognition, & interior decorating, with cartoon pictures to illustrate specific points.

The most interesting thing about this book for me is its focus on compatibility issues: Jerry Baker genuinely wants you to have succees with your houseplants, and that requires a little bit of time spent thinking about what the PLANT will need, versus what you are willing and able to give it. He includes quite a few tables to help you find the most compatible plant for you and your home, accompanied by informative, easy to read explanations of how things like drafts, humidity, lighting, and watering contribute to the success or failure of your plant.

Bottom line: I happily recommend this book to beginning plant fanatics looking for insight! The information in this book is solid & engagingly presented, and sometimes even good for a laugh. If you are looking for an objective presentation, however, or if you are a person who equates "maintenance care" with bi-monthly trips to the florist, this book is not for you: There is a definite underlying flavor of "plants are people too."

Rating:
Summary: Good information; definitely not for everyone
Review: It is important to note that this is not a reference for plant varieties, but rather a "...for Dummies" style guide to houseplant selection, maintenance, and propagation. The information is general, rather than plant-specific, and there are no specimen pictures in this book. Chapters are organized by subject, such as lighting considerations, warning sign recognition, & interior decorating, with cartoon pictures to illustrate specific points.

The most interesting thing about this book for me is its focus on compatibility issues: Jerry Baker genuinely wants you to have succees with your houseplants, and that requires a little bit of time spent thinking about what the PLANT will need, versus what you are willing and able to give it. He includes quite a few tables to help you find the most compatible plant for you and your home, accompanied by informative, easy to read explanations of how things like drafts, humidity, lighting, and watering contribute to the success or failure of your plant.

Bottom line: I happily recommend this book to beginning plant fanatics looking for insight! The information in this book is solid & engagingly presented, and sometimes even good for a laugh. If you are looking for an objective presentation, however, or if you are a person who equates "maintenance care" with bi-monthly trips to the florist, this book is not for you: There is a definite underlying flavor of "plants are people too."

Rating:
Summary: Happy, Healthy Houseplants by Jerry Baker
Review: The ultimate guide to the living with plants in your home. There is an interesting section on how to select plants, based on your personality and taste in home furnishings. Thorough advice is offered on plant growing and maintenance. The section on trouble shooting plant problems is well organized and easy to use. Full of good humor and practical information.

Rating:
Summary: JERRY BAKER'S HAPPY, HEALTHY HOUSEPLANTS
Review: THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE AT BUYING A USED BOOK, BUT IT WON'T BE MY LAST. THE BOOK WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION AND WAS WRAPPED VERY SECURELY. I AM A BEGINNING GARDENER AND THE BOOK WAS VERY HELPFUL TO ME. I'M LEARNING PLANT NAMES, POTTING CONDITIONS AND AND GETTING AN OVERALL COURSE IN THE BEAUTY OF PLANTS.

Rating:
Summary: JERRY BAKER'S HAPPY, HEALTHY HOUSEPLANTS
Review: THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE AT BUYING A USED BOOK, BUT IT WON'T BE MY LAST. THE BOOK WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION AND WAS WRAPPED VERY SECURELY. I AM A BEGINNING GARDENER AND THE BOOK WAS VERY HELPFUL TO ME. I'M LEARNING PLANT NAMES, POTTING CONDITIONS AND AND GETTING AN OVERALL COURSE IN THE BEAUTY OF PLANTS.

Rating:
Summary: Good in therory, not in practice.
Review: Well the book seems to give great advice on paper, but after using his tonics and potions, all my plants took sick and most got bugs and died.

I used to do very little for my plants. I fed them plain old tap water and ignored them much of the time and they looked great.

I think my plants got bugs because he suggests that you use food items in your potions such at tea and cola. The sugar attracted
affids or something and they ate all the roots. So very sad 'cause I had had these plants for years and I was attached to them.