Plant Encyclopedia – An Overview
There is more to the care of potted and outdoor plants than simply fertilizing, watering and tending to them. Investing in a plant encyclopedia gives you an invaluable resource that will ensure that you have the knowledge you need to keep many different types of plants alive, ranging from medicinal herbs, common flowers and rare plants.
A good plant encyclopedia should contain several different types of information on each type of plant it documents. Commonly overlooked is the factor of how the plants are named. Depending on region, a plant may have several different names. A valuable encyclopedia will provide the most common names for each plant, so you can use that book to acquire your plants as seeds from the internet, and ensure that you are buying the correct type of plant.
In addition to that, the plant encyclopedia should have care information for every plant, as well as whether or not it is suitable for indoor or outdoor growth. Included within references legends showing the grow zones of plants, the temperature ranges that they survive in, and how the plants react to changes in the temperature. Hydrating data, required exposure to light, tolerance, scale of hardiness, as well as difficulty of growing should also be included. This is all knowledge that is needed to ensure the long life of your plants.
Resourcing a plant encyclopedia will not be enough to guarantee the survival of your plant. Knowing how to use the information once you have it is required. Many people use these plant encyclopedias after they have purchased the plant. However, their proper usage is in referencing before you buy. A few species of plants, like rare varieties orchids, that are only suitable for those who are who are willing to tolerate and tend to fickle plants prone to wilting.
Additional information that is useful in a plant encyclopedia is the history and breeding characteristics of the plants. As there are many hobbyists interested in the breeding of plants, and the creation of new varieties, having this information at your fingertips is invaluable. If you are interested in cross-breeding, the references that cover this data should include information on what types of plants can be bred against your plant, and the process of breeding.
In the case of herbs, a plant encyclopedia should include how they are used, information on the safe use of the herbs, and any risks that may be associated with improper usage of the herb. If there are plants that are poisonous listed in the plant encyclopedia, data on the toxicity of the plant should be referenced.