American Horticultural Society Pests and Diseases: The Complete Guide to Preventing, Identifying and Treating Plant Problems Hardcover – February 1, 2000

This good doesn't help me diagnose or treat every problem but it sure helps me appear a bit more knowledgable when I ask the "experts" for help. Good pictures, well written and understandable text and enough information without becoming a Masters level textbook. I bought a used copy in far better condition than expected. BTW, other books in this same series are also very good for the ones I've taken out from my library. I'm glad to have my own copy of this one and tend to carry it around my garden to scare the nasty-stuff away. Aphids, fungus and beetles be gone!

Very thorough and helpful

I was overwhelmed by the quality of the pictures and explanations of what I was looking at. I couldn't put it down. And as a reference book, it works. I use it often. I recommend it highly, if your into gardens and flowers and trees, the stuff outside, and some inside.

I had problems from an apple tree that came with the house. I had more than one visible problem on the leaves, and I was able within minutes to identify the separate problems appearing on their leaves. I then checked the plants section and there were the same diseases/pests listed. I cross-referenced with the other plants that had problems (some already dead and gone) and sure enough they matched up to the apple tree problems.The cures for my multiple problems seem to be solved by some Horticultural Oil that is recommended in the book. (Luckily I ordered some Monterey Horticultural Oil in a panic before I got the book - based on good old Amazon reviews again :) So yes, they lean towards organic remedies in the book, but really, spraying some of this Horticultural Oil on seems like not such a bad deal. In fact, it seems like more of the miracle spray for all of my problems than other avenues. I am definitely one of those that wants the miracle in the bottle.You should definitely buy the book before you buy another plant. Nurseries are generally great about listing any pest problems, but when you look up a specific plant or tree in this book, and then you look at the list of problems, it becomes very obvious what you are really getting yourself into with a new plant or tree.It might not be a bad idea to pick up some of the Horticultural Oil they recommend and do every living thing in your yard. Get the problems before they get the plants.

When I took the university Master Gardener course several years ago this was one of the reference books we used. I bought a copy and it is still one of the first books I grab. It is cross referenced by signs and symptoms ("leaf problems") as well as by the type of plant ("columbine"). It is really a great book and has been well worth the cost many times over.

Hard to navigate in the book to figure out the problem with various plants. Did get answers in part going through several words in index. Do like that the book does have lots of pictures. Liked the Ortho Home Gardeners Problem Solver better.

As a life-long gardener and amateur botanist, I've sought for years a book that gives me a complete rundown on all plant pests and diseases. I've had several other books that simply didn't cover everything, and taken together, still didn't do the job. This book from the American Horticultural Society now fills that void for me.

Perfect tool to have on hand. excellent condition and tons of information