| Welcome
to the North Jersey Aquarium Society's Growers Award Program!
The purpose of GAP is to encourage members to grow aquatic plants,
recognize the talents and achievements of those individuals who
propagate aquarium plants, and to provide better selection of
flora to our members. Any member in good standing can participate
in the program. To be awarded points the member must propagate
viable and auctionable plants or provide evidence of flower or
seed production. Simply maintaining or growing a plant larger
is not sufficient. Specifically:
| |
- PROPAGATE:
either (1) non-sexual reproduction from cuttings, offshoots,
runners, or plantlets; or (2) sexual reproduction by pollination
from a member's own plant, or (3) flower or seed production. |
| |
- VIABLE:
in that its has its own root or rhizomes system, enabling
it to grow independently. |
| |
- AUCTIONABLE:
in that the propagation is of sufficient size or quantity
to make for a reasonable bid at one of our society auctions.
All propagations must be put up for auction the day they are
submitted (except flowers - they may be photographed or verified
by another member). Plants cannot be submitted with excessive
algae or snails. |
The
Basic Program
In the Basic Award Program, points are awarded for each species
propagated. To receive points members may do any of the following
for submitted species: non-sexual reproduction (runners, offshoots,
etc), sexual reproduction (from flower or seed), or flower/seed
development. This is normally done by submitting the propagations
for auction. If the flower or seed development is submitted, members
must present the seeds or a picture of the flowering, as well as
the plant or a substitute plant for auction. Plants can only
be submitted one time for points. Any multiple propagations will
be credited toward Specialist Certification (see below). Member
standings are published in our society newsletter, and framed certificates
are presented to the member with every new level of achievement.
The following levels comprise the Basic Program:
| Award
Level |
Points
Required |
Other
Requirements |
Grower
Advanced Grower
Expert Grower
Master Grower
Grand Master Grower
Aquarium Plant "Yoda" |
75
150
300
500
750
1000 |
propagations
in at least 2 categories
propagations in at least 4 categories
propagations in at least 6categories
propagations in at least 7categories
propagations in at least 8categories
propagations in all 9 categories |
| |
- Propagations
of 15 and 20-point plants require an article or presentation.
|
| |
- Members
may submit any plant-related articles (3 or more paragraphs)
for an additional 2.5 points. |
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- It
is the grower's responsibility to see that points have been
properly recorded. Decisions by the GAP Chairman are final. |
The Specialist
Certification Program
Members can also be awarded a Specialist Certification with specific
types of plants. This program is designed to recognize those with
smaller setups, or whose water conditions limit their choice of
plants. Plants recorded in the Basic Program, as well as multiple
submissions, are automatically credited towards specialty certification.
Unlike the Basic Award Program, Specialist Certification is awarded
based on the number of plants propagated or flowered within a
particular category, rather than points. Second propogations means
separate events.
| Certification
Class |
Min
#Species Required |
Propagations
or Flowerings Required |
Stem
Plants
Echinodorus sp.
Aponogeton & Crinums Cryptocorynes
Floating Plants
Rosette Plants
Anubias & Lagenandra
Water Lillies
Rooted Ferns & Mosses
True Red Plants
Flowering & Seed Development |
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
3
5 |
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
6
10 |
|
Rules and
Forms