The Savage Garden: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants

THE SAVAGE GARDEN is a basic text for those interested on growing carnivorous plants. In other texts about carnivorous plants, D'Amato's book is frequently described and cited by their peers as an excellent book about cultivation, if not the best. The reputation of THE SAVAGE GARDEN comes from two remarkable aspects, its completeness and its expertise. The first part of the book includes a description of the basics about cultivating carnivorous plants. Basics such as watering, soils, dormancy among others. After that, the second part of the book answers one of the basic questions that probably all cultivators have at some point, where to grow them. Finally, the core of the book is conformed by several chapters dedicated to review each genera of carnivorous plants. D'Amato's experience in cultivation is restricted to California's climate, however, the completeness of the book is easily appreciated when you give a look on the summary about cultivation provided at the end of those chapters dedicated to review each genera. Those summaries provide information about soil recipe, watering, light, climate, whether the plant is a good candidate for bog gardens, greenhouses, terrariums, windowsills or outdoors, as well as information about feeding, fertilizers, pests, diseases and propagation. Something more you need to start with? Probably not. The second remarkable and valuable aspect of THE SAVAGE GARDEN is that the text is notoriously written in first person. THE SAVAGE GARDEN is not a theoretical review, it is the product of several years of personal experience on cultivation. D'Amato's book is the result of all those years of passion and experience cultivating a SAVAGE GARDEN.

Up until now I have relied on Adrian Slacks book for advice and information on carnivorous plants, but someone recommended this one to me and I must say, I haven't been disappointed! What a fantastic book, with wonderful pictures and loads of helpful information on cultivation. Plus helpful advice for the novice grower. Cant recommend too highly.

ピーター・ダマト氏による食虫植物の本です。目次によると…(拙訳)●序文●謝辞●序論:食虫植物って何?●第1部…栽培の基礎『用土』『水』『受け皿』『陶器と鉢』『自然光』『休眠』『人工光』『食事』『肥料』『害虫駆除の役目としての食虫植物』『害虫と病気』●第2部…食虫植物はどこで育てるの?『温室の条件』『温室の種類』『窓の敷居で育てる』『テラリウムと水槽』『屋外で育てる』●第3部…植物と育て方『ディオネア(ハエトリソウ)』『サラセニア』『ダーリングトニア』『ヘリアンフォラ』『ドロセラ(モウセンゴケ)』『セファロタス』『ドロソフィルム』『ビブリス』『ピンギキュラ(ムシトリスミレ)』『ウトリキュラリア(ミミカキグサ・タヌキモ)』『ネペンテス(ウツボカズラ)』『その他の野蛮な植物』●おまけ『食虫植物を試験管内で育てる』『資料』『参考文献』となっています。サイズは22.8cm×15.2cmで、全314ページです。第3部だけで全体の7割以上を占めています。サラセニアの節は33ページ、ドロセラの節は49ページ、ピンギキュラの節は31ページ、ネペンテスの節は46ページにわたって詳細な記述があります。『その他の野蛮な植物』の節には、『アルドロヴァンダ(ムジナモ)』『ブロッキニア』『カトプシス』『ゲンリセア』『イビセラ』『ロリデュラ』『トリフェオフィラム』が扱われています。写真やイラストも綺麗です。洋書ですが、辞書を引きつつ読むのも楽しいものです。栽培の手引きとして、あるいは鑑賞・研究として最適です。食虫植物を愛する全ての人にお薦めしたい一冊です。

Ok

This book is worth its weight in gold, plain and simple. It is an absolutely wonderful collection of history, humor, scientific and horticultural information about virtually all known types of carnivorous plants. While not geared toward the die hard biologist, it is packed with enough detailed information about the plants, presented in clear and elegant fashion, that it will satisfy readers from almost any background.In this book you will find, without a doubt, some of the best information for growing these wonderful and increasingly rare plants. Whether you're a novice grower or have a modest collection, there is something for you in this book. This book covers it all, from growing medium to green houses, from terrariums to watering techniques, it's all there in clear, concise form and expertly organized.This book is literally a steal at its current price and I would easily pay twice as much for it. There is a reason that this book has gotten, with one exception at this time, five star ratings from everyone that reviewed it. It's the same reason that anyone and everyone who seriously grows carnivorous plants already owns a copy. Do yourself and your plants a favor and buy this book.