Book on Cactus Species for Browsing

[Dunlin]

Dear All,

My apologies in advance if I have failed to find an existing thread on this topic.

I'm looking for a book on cacti (I'm a cactus only collector) with lots of species plus accompanying photographs - the kind of book for browsing in, in order to find new species to try growing. I'd like one which has information on where the species grow in the wild.

Can anyone recommend something which is not too expensive? I'd be very grateful. I don't like using the internet for this sort of thing - I need a good old fashioned book (with a cup of tea)!

Best wishes,

Naomi

[Phil_SK]

I still rate The Cactus Handbook by Erik Haustein even though it's now approaching 30 years old. Secondhand copies trade online for little more than the cost of postage. It has a good selection, covering (it claims) 490 species, nearly all illustrated with sharp, well reproduced photos (some in habitat, some in cultivation) and being 8"x6" in size is a nice change, too.

[Jim_Mercer]

Lot of pictures in 500 Cacti by Ken Preston-Mafham - can't seem to get a link direct to the book but it is available from http://www.keithscactusbooks.co.uk/ - select Popular Titles and scroll down a bit.

[ChrisR]

This was always one of my favourite coffee table books;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THE-ILLUSTRAT ... 51cc8947c6

[Mal L]

I still rate The Cactus Handbook by Erik Haustein even though it's now approaching 30 years old.

I agree, Phil. One of the first books I acquired, shortly after its publication, at the time that I returned to the hobby.

[Wilk]

I would endorse the comments about Haustein. I bought a 1991 edition a short time ago on E-bay. There is one advertised now at £3.76 inc postage so you can't fall off at that price assuming you are in the Uk which I didn't check.

Another of my favourites is The Complete Encyclopedia (sic) of Cacti by Subik and Kunte which I have seen on E-bay before and won't cost an arm and a leg. It is arranged by country which I rather like despite cacti not being known as respecters of national boundaries.

[Lithos]

Cullman Gotz and Groner - Encyclopedia of Cacti - english edition 1986 Alpha books.
Not just coffee table pictures, but advice on cultivation and classification. Some names will have changed, they always will. But good pictures of most sorts. Have to admit I'm biased as Gerhard Groner was a friend.
Seems cheap on Amazon

[Dunlin]

Great suggestions and very helpful - my sincere thanks!

[KarlR]

I still rate The Cactus Handbook by Erik Haustein even though it's now approaching 30 years old. Secondhand copies trade online for little more than the cost of postage. It has a good selection, covering (it claims) 490 species, nearly all illustrated with sharp, well reproduced photos (some in habitat, some in cultivation) and being 8"x6" in size is a nice change, too.

This was one of the first "proper" books on cacti I got. I have very fond memories of it

Cullman Gotz and Groner - Encyclopedia of Cacti - english edition 1986 Alpha books.

This one is also excellent and probably better than Haustein's one, at least it's more approachable and much easier to digest. I still don't think I've come across another book on cacti with better advice and information on everything from cultivation to habitats and anything in between. It's a very good book.

Purely for pictures I'd definitely recommend Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary by Rod & Ken Preston-Mafham. Unless you're not into globular species though, as this book deals exclusively with the globular cacti as far as I remember.

Of course, there's also The New Cactus Lexicon by David Hunt et al. which used to come in two volumes (one text and one images) but it's now possible to buy a cheaper paperback version with just the pictures.

[Dunlin]

Many thanks Karl!

Best wishes,

Naomi