Amaryllis

What a terrific book! It's so much more than the gorgeous photographs for which the author is well-known -- it has lots of information on cultivation and propagation plus there is a glossary with pictures of 96 different hybrids complete with growing information (type, height/flower size and time from planting until flowering). The author also includes a history of the cultivation of amaryllis which is very interesting -- she documents descriptions and instructions for growing beginning with Milton in 1637 through the Victorian and Edwardian periods to today. She describes the three main sources of bulbs (African, Dutch and South American) and discusses both older varieties and newer cultivars including the miniatures and those with double flowers.Amaryllis come in a large variety of patterns within a color range consisting of red, white, pink and, more recently, peach, pale green, yellow and orange. Ockenga provides beautiful, lyrical descriptions: "'Cinderella' boasts kitten whiskers drawn on an upturned face, 'Charisma' is speckled with cranberry dots that fade to a creamy background, while 'Elvas' and 'Allure' seem splashed with the juice of sweet cherries."The book concludes with a list of suppliers (with web addresses) and an extensive bibliography. This is a great book for anyone interested in growing amaryllis, particularily given that there is nothing else like it on the market today. Note, however, that Ockenga grows her amaryllis in pots in her greenhouse in New York; she includes information on growing amaryllis in the ground but the bulk of the growing information is with regard to pot-grown bulbs. Much of this is generic to both kinds of cultivation, however, as is the information on pests and diseases, feeding and watering schedules, etc. This is, quite simply, a wonderful book.

Lovely photos and concise, detailed advice make this book an excellent addition to any hippeastrum collector's library.She goes into detail about EVERYTHING, discussing the plants' fascinating history, step-by-step propagation tips, and hints about hybridizing. Overall, a terrific book with excellent information.

Beautifully photographed this book is inspirational as well as informative. I am a beginner in the care of Amaryllis and this book has given be the basics and more to take care of these amazing plants.

This book is wonderfully filled with important information about amaryllis.

If you like Amaryllis, you will love this book. Great photos that are just as good as the plant. The only work to see a fantastic amaryllis is to turn to the next page, even though it may be hard to leave the page your viewing. You can always turn back the pages and start over.

The book was lovely, the seller sold the book as new. It wasn't. It was price clipped and soiled. I was going to return it, I didn't have time due to ice storm. I will not buy from this seller again.

Lot of references and coverature

Excellent book for hobbyists. Great photos and written in an easy to understand manner. The perfect reference book.

Well written and Illustrated book.

Good state.