Horticulturist Awards Program

Information

The Horticulturists Award Program (HAP) is established to recognize the accomplishments of AAAA members, to promote members’ involvement in propagating aquatic plants, to gather and share information on aquatic plants, and to provide a wide range of plants to the membership during auctions. In order to obtain points for propagating plants a member must bring in a minimum number of plants, and put them up for the auction. The member must fill in the required information on the HAP Data Sheet. Point classification of plant species propagated(10, 15, 20, or higher) is determined according to level of difficulty for propagating the plant. Points are awarded only once for each species submitted by a member. A plaque is awarded at the following point levels:

  • Aquatic Horticulturist (100 points)
  • Advanced Aquatic Horticulturist (200 points)
  • Superior Aquatic Horticulturist (350 points)
  • Expert Aquatic Horticulturist (600 points)
  • Master Aquatic Horticulturist (900 points)
  • Grand Master Aquatic Horticulturist (1200 points)
Note that members and the Atlanta Area Aquarium Association benefit financially when they submit HAP plants for the auction. Members receive 70% of any auction proceeds while the association garners 30% to offset club expenses. It is important to note that there is one other way that members can earn points towards their horticulturist awards. An additional five points can be earned when an article is written on a ten, fifteen, or twenty point plant submitted to the HAP Program. These articles will be kept in our reference library and will also be published in our Association Newsletter. While these guidelines don’t have to be strictly followed, an essay of approximately 250 to 400 words discussing the plant characteristics, the propagating environment, water parameters, and the growth cycle of the plants would be appreciated. In other words, what would someone need to know in order to successfully propagate a particular species of aquatic plant?

For more information, contact Ryan Young