The purpose of the Horticultural Award Program (HAP) is to promote the keeping and propagation of aquatic plants, aid in the recognition of the species, encourage research, through the growth and propagation of different species, and recognize achievements of individuals through awards.

Rules

How to Earn Points: Points can only be earned by auctioning off the minimum amount of plant material at a monthly meeting or an ACM auction.

How to Identify your HAP Submissions to ACM Auctions: Plants submitted for auction must be clearly labeled with the aquarist’s name, scientific name of the plant, cultivar or variety, and common name where applicable. Other information relevant to the plant such as light level and CO2 requirements should also be provided.

Documentation needed with the HAP Submission: It is the responsibility of the aquarist to see that HAP points are
recorded by completing the online HAP Entry form BEFORE the auction in which the fry are submitted, or give the HAP chair a printed form AT THE TIME of the auction. It is the responsibility of the aquarist to either. Points will not be
awarded without either online documentation or printed documentation. It is also the responsibility of the aquarist to check the appropriate box on the auction website to indicate that the fish are a BAP lot.

HAP Checkers: Any person on the HAP committee may verify the species of a submitted plant and any flowerings or sexual propagation, with the HAP chair having final approval.

Requirements for Propagation

The propagation process must be completed in the manner described below:

1. For floating plants, about 1/2 cup (not including water) must be submitted. For tiny plants such as Wolffia arrhiza and other similar species, at least one heaping tablespoonful must be submitted. The initial volume of the plants must be doubled.
2. For bunch-type plants, the initial stem count shall be at least four stems, rooted or unrooted.
3. Reproduction by means of runners shall be recognized when one or more healthy plants are produced, which are capable of living independently from the parent plant. The parent plant must also be alive and healthy.
4. For mosses and similar plants, a patch at least 3” x 3” or similar size in area must be submitted.
5. Flowering, when properly verified, shall be awarded extra points equal to the value of the asexual propagation of the particular plant species; an additional 10 points will be awarded to verified flowering. A clear digital photo of the inflorescence donated to the ACM library or in person verification by Board member.
6. Sexual reproduction will be recognized for one or more plant reproducing by sexual means from the aquarists own stock. Sexual propagation will be awarded 2 times the value of asexual propagation. Seeds and reproduced plants must be from the member’s parent plant(s) and not obtained from a supplier or nursery. The reproduction of those plants propagating from spores i.e. (ferns) will be considered a sexual reproduction and shall be awarded 2 times the point value of the asexual propagation of the particular plant species.
7. Re-growth of a seasonal plant does not count as propagation; it is simply classified as a new growth. (Examples are the Aponogeton sp.)

Earn Extra Points for Articles

An additional 10 points is awarded upon submission of a 150 word article to the ACM newsletter within 30 days of the ACM auction. If the article to the ACM newsletter is submitted after the 30-day period, the aquarist must then resubmit the plants for auction.

Additional Criteria

1. The aquarist must be a member in good standing of ACM in order to participate in the HAP.
2. No points will be awarded for hybrids, nor does ACM accept them as donations to any ACM auction. Plants should be free from algae or disease. The HAP Chair reserves the right to reject stunted, algae covered, or unhealthy plants. Specific cultivars, plants selectively bred for color, stem or leaf form, and transgenic plants are accepted.
3. Aquatic Plant Defined: An aquatic plant is one with a submerged or floating form, as a normal occurrence, at some time during the course of any one complete growing season.

Lifetime Achievement Awards

These awards are progressive and presented as achieved by the horticulturist.

• Novice Gardener: 50 points Award shall be a framed certificate.
• One Star Gardener: 100 points Award shall be a framed certificate.
• Two Star Gardener: 200 points. Award shall be a framed certificate
• Three Star Gardener: 400 points. Award shall be a framed certificate.
• Senior Gardener: 600 points. Award shall be a framed certificate.
• Master Gardener: 1000 points. Award shall be a plaque.
• Grand Master Gardener: 1500 points. Award shall be a plaque and lifetime membership in the ACM.
• Supreme Grand Master Gardener: 2000 points. Award shall be a plaque and a special gift chosen by the program chairperson and club president.

Specialty Achievement Awards

• Group Propagator: shall be awarded to any person who successfully propagates at least 6 species/cultivars from a single aquatic plant family. Award shall be a framed certificate.
• Advanced Group Propagator: shall be awarded to any person who successfully propagates at least 12 species/cultivars from a single aquatic plant family and has written at least 1 article on the propagation of one (or more) of those species. Award shall be a plaque.
• Expert Group Propagator: shall be awarded to any person who successfully propagates at least 18 species/cultivars from a single aquatic plant family* and has written at least 2 articles on the propagation of two (or more) of those species. Award shall be a plaque.
• Master Group Propagator: shall be awarded to any person who successfully propagates at least 24 species/cultivars from a single aquatic plant family* and has written at least 2 articles on the propagation of three (or more) of those species. Award shall be a plaque.

*Many families will not have enough species/cultivars to reach the award levels noted. Members may petition the HAP committee to group 2 or more families together in order to reach these awards. Each family may only be used once in a grouping (i.e., if you choose to add Menyanthaceae family (i.e., Nyphoides aquatica) to water lilies in the family Nymphaeaceae (i.e., Nymphaea lotus and others), you may not combine any other member of the family Menyanthaceae with any other water lily family. You may continue to propagate other members of Menyanthaceae to reach higher awards for your combined Menyanthaceae/ Nymphaeaceae group.

Achievement Award: Aquatic Horticulturist of the Year

Prize: $50 and Award Certificate

Award is presented to the horticulturist who earns the most points in the HAP program each calendar year.

Certificates will be awarded at the completion of the propagation requirements. Plaques or Gift Cards will be awarded at opportune times.

Classification Questions/Concerns: Members are encouraged to submit any plant that they feel should be reclassified to the HAP Chair.

The HAP Committee: The President shall appoint The HAP Chair, and the HAP Chair shall appoint the remaining members as necessary.

Function of the HAP Committee: To oversee and enforce all rules and regulations governing the HAP, awarding points to qualifying members, maintaining records and presenting awards. The HAP rules and regulations shall be reviewed and revised when necessary.

Amendments: The HAP committee may make changes to these rules, as they deem necessary, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Changes will be published to ACM members.

HAP Rules published September 2024. Updated 01 January 2025.