The Cleveland Aquarium Society has adopted the following Horticulturist Award Program (HAP) to encourage members to raise and propagate all types of aquatic plants. This program is non-competitive in that no one wins or loses. Each person moves at their own pace toward the award goal of their choice. Certificates will be awarded for each plant reproduced and plaques/trophies for each level that is completed. To qualify for awards, the person must be a member in good standing and must have applied under the rules of this program.
The purpose of the HAP is to promote the keeping and propagation of aquatic plants and to make information about the successful growing and reproduction of aquatic plants available to club members.
RULES
1. Plants must conform to the following definition of an aquatic plant: AN AQUATIC PLANT IS ONE WHICH, IN THE WILD OR NATURAL STATE, CAN BE FOUND IN THE SUBMERGED OR FLOATING FORM AS A NORMAL OCCURANCE AT SOME TIME DURING THE COURSE OF ONE COMPLETE SEASON.
2. Plants are to be identified by the aquarist. Unidentified species will be assigned a code number for recording purposes until the plant can be correctly identified. Color variations or hybrids will not be accepted. The aquarist should be aware that unidentified plants will only be awarded points if reference can be made to a published photo or if two color photos of a fully developed specimen are submitted for permanent retention in the HAP files.
3. The book, AQUARIUM PLANTS, THEIR IDENTIFICATION, CULTIVATION, AND ECOLOGY by Rataj and Horeman will be the main source of identification for most species. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WATER PLANTS by Dr. Stodola will also be used.
4. Following successful reproduction or flowering, it is the responsibility of the aquarist to see it is reported, verified and recorded properly. Reproduction is to be reported to the HAP chairperson either by phone or at the general meeting. Flowerings are to be reported to the HAP chairperson either by phone for visit verification, or by dated color photographs to be retained in the HAP files.
5. Plants are to be bagged and brought to the general meeting for points and auction by the HAP chairperson or designated representative. The bag must be labeled with the species name and type of reproduction. CASHAP forms must be completed and submitted to the HAP chairperson for permanent recording in the HAP files.
6. Types Of Plant Reproduction & Requirements.
Category A: Floating and Bunch Plants.
Doubling of the original amount; to be determined by root count of growing stems for bunch plants.
Category B: Reproduction by Runner.
One healthy plant capable of living independently from the parent while the parent is alive and healthy. NO BUNCH PLANTS ALLOWED IN THIS CATEGORY.
Category C: Sexual Reproduction.
One plant reproduced by sexual means from an aquarist’s own parent plant. (You may not obtain seeds or other plant material from another person and then grow it to turn in.)
Category D: Flowering.
Points will be given for aquatic plants that flower. Verification must be done when the plant is in full bloom and attached to the member’s own plant in their aquarium or pond.
EXTRA POINTS WILL BE GIVEN FOR PLANTS WHICH FLOWER. EXAMPLE:
Amazon Sword Plant (Echinodorus paniculatus) - 15 points for reproduction and 15 points for flowering for a total of 30 points.
EXTRA POINTS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN FOR SEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF A
PLANT.
EXAMPLE: Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) – 15 points for runners, 15 points for flowering and 15 points for raising an offspring plant from seed for a total of 45 points.
SPECIAL NOTE: Regrowth of seasonal plants (eg. Aponogeton sp.) does not count as breeding a plant.
HAP AWARD LEVELS