Book excerpt: Praise for the first edition"Avid recreational gardeners, designers, and nursery professionals who enjoy growing dramatic ornamental palms will welcome this comprehensive manual comprising palm biology, propagation techniques, cultural requirements, and overall care."--Booklist"A valuable resource for commercial producers, landscapers, palm enthusiasts, and homeowners."--Florida Gardening"Especially good on pests, diseases and nutritional needs. . . . Offers information for the beginning palm grower as well as the professional."--Miami Herald"Provides in-depth information that should delight palm enthusiasts."--Daytona Beach News-Journal"Effectively illustrates propagation features and disease symptoms. . . . This is the most comprehensive book to date for serious growers."--ChoiceWith a wealth of colorful photos, this updated edition of the essential reference for growing palms contains new information on seed germination, fertilization, pests, and diseases. Nowhere else has such comprehensive information on palm horticulture been brought together in one book.Timothy K. Broschat, professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, is coauthor of Betrock's Reference Guide to Florida Landscape Plants. Alan W. Meerow, senior research plant geneticist with USDA-ARS in Miami, Florida, is the author of Betrock's Landscape Palms. Monica L. Elliott, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, is coauthor of Compendium of Ornamental Palm Diseases and Disorders.