Thursday, July 15, 2010

Steven Hammer - Lithops, Treasures of the Veld

It's a real shame that "LITHOPS - Treasures of the Veld" by Steven A. Hammer is out of print nowadays, because I'd buy it right away. But at least there are .pdf files floating around the internet so that we are able to enjoy this great book digitally. I've had it for a while, but only just read it. It's truly amazing. Not only very informative - it answers so many questions I had on my mind! - but also a fun read. I had to laugh a lot while reading it. :) You can feel how dear these plants are to the author, he notices all those little things about them and writes with such passion - reading it was a delight. I'm sure I will re-read it often enough in the future. (How wonderful it would be to have it on the bookshelf and not on the computer. They need to re-print it, seriously.)
Both Mr. Shimada and Mr. Hammer refer to "Lithops: Flowering Stones" by Desmond and Naureen Cole as a standard work on lithops. I'll have to put my hands on this one, too. So far the former has the tons of pictures, the latter - tons of information. Desmond Cole probably has both. :)
PS: if you want a .pdf of this book feel free to drop me a line in the comments.

69 comments:

  1. Hi Rika :)

    I have that book on my desktop and I recommend it too.

    I've been trying to identify your lithops -> 'what are you?', but I can´t find it...

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  2. Hi Bololoch,
    great read, isn't it :) there are quite some topics i couldn't find explaination/information about anywhere before (like pollination and cultivars). I've learned a lot from it.

    thank you very much for trying! maybe it's still too young for identification (even though it's at least 3 years old!), i don't know. got a suggestion that it's a schwantesii. maybe. funny thing, i've got a young verruculosa that looks like it, but no way they're selling verruculosa in our hardware stores, haha.

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  3. Yes, they really should reprint Steve's book. We've never been able to connect with him to visit his "Spheroid Institute" in Vista, California when we're in the area, but we do correspond some (business matters). His article about Haworthia culture in Bayer's Haworthia Revisited is also excellent. Regarding the Cole's Lithops book, "Lithops: Flowering Stones". Do keep your eye open for it. It's outstanding, but unfortunately going up in price. I just checked Amazon and the cheapest used price was $129.99 (and up)!

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  4. thank you Luther, i will. from all i hear, Cole's book is an amazing one and definitely worth having. :)
    i've been looking for a copy of "Treasures of the Veld" the whole morning today, and there's only a couple of them @ Amazon for around 150 USD, which is way too expensive. but i also found this website where they state that the 2nd edition will come out in October 2010. it's the only place this is mentioned, so i'm not sure whether to believe it, but i've contacted the owner to ask.. maybe there's still hope :)

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  5. I don´t know if you´ve seen these lithops seedlings -> http://www.strangeplants.com/PlantGLS.html

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  6. Cole's book is absolutely amazing but I think it is more of a reference work than bedtime reading. I have it (bought it here) and I have learned so much from this book. Most of the time I keep it safely stored away so that I will not get a single scratch on it.

    So, Rika, if you hear anything new on the Steven Hammer book, please let us know. I definitely haven't got enough books on Lithops, yet. ;)

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  7. those are so cute! thank you for the link Bololoch :) i love to see different stages of lithops seedlings' development.
    the owner seems to have some of his seeds from Dr. Hoes. I bought mine from him as well this year. can't wait for sowing :)

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  8. @Petra: okay, just ordered it. the price is very reasonable, compared to other sources. hopefully it'll already be waiting for me in germany when i come back. :)
    saw the contents list and it looks like it should be an interesting read. i'm so eager to learn, can't get enough information about our living stones!

    yes, hopefully it's not a hoax about the re-print. no answer yet

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  9. You can already pre-order the reprint (second edition) of this Steve Hammer book via http://www.bcss.org.uk/lithops.php

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  10. Thank you Aiko and welcome ;)
    so this is really true! great news! can't wait to order it :)

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  11. I just realised that it is indeed a second edition with new material, not just a reprint. wondeful!

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  12. Hello Rika!

    I have just become your fan!
    Your plants are real beauties - they say that the beauty is subjective and they're right - it's always so valuable to find another lithops lover !
    I’m under the charm of your photographs and the way you describe them; you can be sure I’m going to come back here often :)

    I’d appreciate if you shared the .pdf files with me – can’t really wait to read the book.

    Greetings from here to there,

    Joanna

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  13. Hello Joanna! Nice to meet you :)

    Thank you VERY much for your kind words, I'm really happy you like the pictures! My english is not the best though, I hope it won't bother you much.
    Do you grow lithops too? Please do share pictures. Lithops lovers are rare indeed. It'd be nice to talk :)

    At the moment I don't have internet connection at home (writing from a library now), but I'll think about bringing the .pdf along next time I'm online. The book is so much fun to read!

    Greetings~

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  14. I'm so pleased to read your reply, Rika!
    It's very nice to meet you too, You and your plants of course ;)

    Comparing to you, I'm just starting my adventure with Lithops, though I've been interested in the subject for more than two years now. I have started from collecting so called “other succulents” and now I'm totally in love with my dozen of Lithops aucampiae, a couple of marmorata var. elisae, lesliei var albinica and my adorable two headed salicola. Another amazing plants in my small collection are Lapidaria margarethae, Aloinopsis setifera, fenestraria and frithia pulchra. Bacause of the mistakes I made (or the plant was weak when bought even though it was beautifully blooming), I’m losing the titanopsis calcarea (I bet you would love it as much as I do).

    It’s not that easy to buy Lithops around here, the only way I can get them is through internet - but honestly, I don't like that way - you never know what you get plus shipping costs a fortune. Last spring I sow some mixed seeds, but I fear that my baby seedlings (now with their second pair of leaves) won't survive the winter due to no sun and my absolute arrogance if it's about knowing their water needs.

    I’m going to read carefully all your pieces of advice and maybe I can become as good as you :)

    Wish you a lovely Sunday!!

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  15. lol I meant ignorance, not arrogance :) as you can see I'm not that skilled at English, well, at least I can keep myself amused :)

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  16. Got it! :D Thank you so very much!!!
    (I'd love to share photos of my plants with you, Rika; if you don't mind I'm going to attach them to an e-mail sometime during the week :)

    Wish you a lot of sun! ;)

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  17. Oh my god! I nedd this book. Can you send me a copy to abrenozes@gmail.com ?

    Thank you and sorry my poor english :(

    Abrenozes

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  18. heads-up: pdf of the old edition is available here: http://www.gigabook.org/viewnews-101569.html

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  19. Hi Steven !

    Above Ebay.de I bought 200 seeds from "siegfriedandreae" - Top Shop for Lithops.
    The seed is mix so I have a nice adventure with systematic.
    Now I will as what is the price for your famous book.
    My Mail: treitners@googlemail.com
    Thank you
    Regardfully

    Siegfried

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    Replies
    1. Hi Siegfried,
      I'm not Steven :)
      But if you want to contact Steven Hammer visit his website: http://www.cactus-mall.com/rana/

      Delete
  20. I am very interested in a .pdf of his book, or a lead on where to buy it! :)

    Best,
    Kat

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    Replies
    1. It's still beeing sold in the above link - http://www.bcss.org.uk/lithops.php ;)

      Delete
  21. would like to have a pdf copy wz80811@gmail.com

    thank you

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  22. Hi there
    Would like a copy of the pdf if at all possible. Thanks Lance
    brakdakkie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello Rika,
    could you please send me a pdf copy of the 1st edition if possible? Thank you very much!

    Eeyorengiam@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. your email doesn't work....

      Delete
    2. my email is work :) lithopss@yandex.com

      Delete
  24. Hi Rika!
    Nice collection! I'd like to start one :)
    could u send me a copy?
    vitamincinberlin@gmail.com
    liebe gruesse
    oleev

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi! maybe its too late, but I started with lithops and I need a copy of the PDF. Please, can you send me a copy? thanks in advance. tololomeo(a)gmail.com

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  26. Hallo
    Could you please send me a pdf copy of the 1st edition if possible? Thank you very much!
    unacilliers@gmail.com
    Regards

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  27. I am interested in the pdf. Please send me. everythingandeverything@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Rika..

    could you please send me a pdf version of the 1st edition?? thank you in advance :)
    citra.paramita@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hello Rika,
    could you please send me a pdf copy if possible? Thank you very much!
    uslu-murat@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi
    Please send me the pdf.
    With the exchange rate and shipping the book is out of my reach.
    pierrec@hectotron.com

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hello Rika
    Please could you again send me a copy (see 18 August 2013).
    My computers motherboard had a meltdown and I lost the copy.
    I would very much appreciate it
    Lance (brakdakkie@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'd love a copy as well, please!

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  33. Rika, I do not know if you are accepting requests for the pdf of this book but if you are can you please lmk, I will happily supply my email address! Thank you :)

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  34. Hi guys :)

    Feel free to email me. My address is in my profile.

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  35. Hello, could I also have a copy of the PDF? My email is rrangel@yahoo.com

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  36. Hi, Rika! I'm really interested in these little plants and I would be very happy if You could send me this pdf book, too -> augustinak@gmail.com. Thank you (: !

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hello Rika,
    could you please send me a pdf copy if possible? Thank you very much!
    961740662@qq.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. hi,
    I am a very novice lithops entusiastic and i really enjoy reading your blog. I would love to get the pdf. Thanks a lot.
    shliver22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. hi a star my colecction of lithops i am from guatemala and i am very intersting in this especies, can you send me a pdf copy of the book thanks my mail is vitopu03@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Rika,
    could you please send me a copy of the pdf? I would love to have it!
    Thank you very much in advance :)
    aperramon@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am absolutely fascinated by lithops. Can I have a copy of your free book please

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Rika!can you send me a copy of the pdf?

    Thanks a lot

    my email is: ro-macha@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Rika!

    Could you please send me a copy of the pdf.
    Thanks

    Email: oszoke@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. i'd like to read it if you don't mind sharing it. Greetings from Mexico!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Rika! I was wondering if you still are able to share the .pdf, I would much appreciate it! malefloresleon@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi Rika,
    could you please send me a copy of the pdf?
    Thank you very much in advance!
    n.postema@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi Rika,
    could you please share a copy of the pdf on my email? Its igokac@gmail.com.
    Thank you very much in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi, Rika! I have recently developed interest in Lithops and want to take up growing these as a hobby. I'm really interested in these little plants and I would be very happy if You could send me this pdf book, too -> spsaulakh@yahoo.co.uk Thank you.

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  49. I would love to have the pdf book ! renatacm@yahoo.com
    The book online it´s about U$ 200 to 300 !
    Thanks a lot for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd recommend buying the 2nd edition. It is only 26 GBP and contains much more information than the 1st edition.
      http://www.society.bcss.org.uk/index.php/book-contents/lithops.html

      Delete
    2. It's even 23 GBP here: http://keithsplantbooks.co.uk/details.aspx?Books=C&id=8339

      Delete
  50. Hi ! Is it possible to share the pdf please my email drjyotibhargava@gmail.com Many Thanks

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  51. Hi Rika,

    Hope you could share to me the pdf file of this book. My email address is janella_barqueros@yahoo.com
    It would really mean a lot to me coz i love lithops. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi
    I really love lithops
    please send me PDF book at x.gsb@hotmail.com
    I’m from Thailand
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  53. Could you send me PDF file?
    mc27sk@gmail.com

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  54. Hi I have also been searching everywhere for this book. Could you please send me the PDF file namithahelen@gmail.com

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  55. Could I also get the PDF file, I cannot find this book anywhere and just started growing these plant and would find it extremely usefull. d-hawley@rogers.com

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  56. I would love to have a PDF copy please. Thank you kindly
    neighbours6@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I would love to have a PDF copy please. Thank you for your kind heart.
    qtechno1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Hi rika, I love lithops
    you could share to me the pdf file of this book. My email address is aliaestephania@gmail.com
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi...
    This is a great guide for me as a beginner. Thank you...
    And it would be another great thing if i could a copy of that pdf.
    Thanks in advance...

    dmtprvt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thank you, I would like to get a pdf. jakkieblom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I would love to have a PDF copy please. Just starting with lythops Thank you kindly
    mvsmfs@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete