Best books about palms,which one should I buy?

[RichardM]

Hi palm freaks,

I still have around $100 in my Amazon gift card balance and I was thinking to buy some books about palms.

These books seems quite interesting:

Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas - David A. Francko;

Timber Press Pocket Guide to Palms (Timber Press Pocket Guides) - Robert Lee Riffle

An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms - Robert Lee Riffle

Betrock's Cold Hardy Palms by Alan W. Meerow

Hardy Palms and Palm-Like Plants by Martyn Graham

What do you think?

What book can you recommend me to buy?

Before I forget,I live in The Netherlands,so it should be nice if there are books about growing palms in our climate.

Looking forward to get some advice.

Thanks.

Richard

Edited April 28, 2010 by RichardM

[Gbarce]

I'd get the encyclopedia of Cultivated palms!

I'ts a geat reference book.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

two votes for An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms - Robert Lee Riffle

but if you can swing it, I'd also get Betrock's Cold Hardy Palms by Alan W. Meerow since you live in the cold!

[RichardM]

  On 4/28/2010 at 12:43 PM, PiousPalms said:

two votes for An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms - Robert Lee Riffle

but if you can swing it, I'd also get Betrock's Cold Hardy Palms by Alan W. Meerow since you live in the cold!

Thanks for your replies.

1. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms - Robert Lee Riffle

2. Betrock's Cold Hardy Palms by Alan W. Meerow

With those 2 books I have covered the most information about palms or should i add another book?

Regards,

Richard

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Richard if you've got enough bucks left over go for D. Francko's book, "Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas" I've heard good things from those who live north of me!

[palmmermaid]

With these 3 books, you should be on the right road. I would pay special attention to the notes in the Encyclopedia about where the palms come from and their soil needs. I have much success using that information. If the palm grows along humus riverbanks, don't plant it in a dry, alkaline area.

[RichardM]

  On 4/28/2010 at 1:04 PM, PiousPalms said:

Richard if you've got enough bucks left over go for D. Francko's book, "Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas" I've heard good things from those who live north of me!

Just what I heard before and thought

1. An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms - Robert Lee Riffle $32.97

2. Betrock's Cold Hardy Palms by Alan W. Meerow $31.96

3. Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas - David A. Francko $18.45

This means I still have some balance left in my Amazon account,but I think that those 3 books will be enough information?

Richard

[RichardM]

  On 4/28/2010 at 1:13 PM, palmmermaid said:

With these 3 books, you should be on the right road. I would pay special attention to the notes in the Encyclopedia about where the palms come from and their soil needs. I have much success using that information. If the palm grows along humus riverbanks, don't plant it in a dry, alkaline area.

Thanks for your advice.

For me it is important how to grow palms from seeds,cause I want to grow them myself

[sarasota alex]

Richard, when reading David Francko's book (and many others), keep in mind the differences between North American and European climates. For example, Sabal palmetto is not going to be nearly as cold hardy in Europe as it's described to be in the book.

[RichardM]

  On 4/28/2010 at 1:30 PM, sarasota alex said:

Richard, when reading David Francko's book (and many others), keep in mind the differences between North American and European climates. For example, Sabal palmetto is not going to be nearly as cold hardy in Europe as it's described to be in the book.

That's a real good point,never thought about that.

Thanks for this information.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

If you still have some balance on your amazon account that must be spent buy yourself some tropical music to go with your new palm literature! You palms will love listening to some groovy island music!

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Band/dp/B00358RM6Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1272463474&sr=1-1

[Mark_NoVA]

Another vote for An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms by Robert Lee Riffle. I refer to it way more often than my other palm books.

[Peter Pacific]

  On 4/28/2010 at 2:15 PM, Mark_NoVA said:

Another vote for An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms by Robert Lee Riffle. I refer to it way more often than my other palm books.

Hi Richard, when I'm looking for information on a new palm to include in my garden, or where I should plant a palm that I already have, I always refer to Riffle & Craft's Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. A must have for any palm collector. Peter

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Mark and Peter, I still use GENERA PALMARUM II quite a bit as well... especially when I am trying to identify something new or unknown... It's details are unparalleled.

http://palms.org/books_gp2.cfm

[RichardM]

  On 4/28/2010 at 2:24 PM, Peter Pacific said:

  On 4/28/2010 at 2:15 PM, Mark_NoVA said:

Another vote for An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms by Robert Lee Riffle. I refer to it way more often than my other palm books.

Hi Richard, when I'm looking for information on a new palm to include in my garden, or where I should plant a palm that I already have, I always refer to Riffle & Craft's Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. A must have for any palm collector. Peter

Thanks,I know enough.

I will buy the 3 books.

Richard

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Richard, glad we were able to help! Please report back about the cold hardy books. I am interested hear your feedback on the literature!

[Gbarce]

Ornamental Palm Horticulture is another book that is very informative and is geared more towards the practical side growing of palm trees-- germinating seeds, diseases and cures, pests and remedies-- stuff like that.

It's not as fun as the Encyclopedia but it's a good complement

[Gbarce]

Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Ornamental-Palm-Horticulture-TIMOTHY-BROSCHAT/dp/0813018048/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272469665&sr=8-1