As the title suggests...

I'm not extremely active in the club. Never have been, really. I just post a lot, made some friends, and used to attend all the meetings/auctions. Haven't done that in a while, but things have settled down at the new house now.

That being said, I have had a few requests via PM, and seen even more requests in posts, for the HAP program to spread its (already developed) wings and fly. We have several fledgling planted tank hobbyists, with several having piqued interest as well, and I think this would help out tremendously in getting not only interest in that side of the hobby, but also meeting attendance and increased funding from auction donations as well. (something that helps every aspect of the club)

I suggest we figure out who is in the club and available with some decent experience in the aquatic plant world who is willing to offer their time and efforts in the way of being at meetings to verify HAP entries, plant ID's, etc. We also need bookeeping along the same lines as the BAP, but as has been suggested in another thread, this doesn't have to be the same person.

I also said, in that same thread, that I would toss my hat in to do this if necesarry and start being a lot more active in the club since so many people have helped me out here, but this is up to the club officers since I'm sure there is a vote that needs to happen, or something.

Anyway, discuss away. At the very least I can help (or hinder) by bringing this to light.

Speaking as one of the fledgling's I would love to have something like this that I can participate in since I am not going to be spawning any fish in the near future, but I am capable of growing plants.
I look forward to continuing to learn from those of you who are knowledgeable in this area...and being in an awards program for what is learned etc.

I would be willing to help out if needed. I could do the score keeping or whatever.

We are interested in participating in the HAP program. We have around 10 or 12 species ready to go, I think. I wish we were closer, is never a guarantee if we would be available for a meeting. Depending on what the book keeping requirements are we may be able to help, with that portion.

Ok now for some questions on how the program will be set up. Asexual props would be the norm. Is it safe to assume that flowering and sexual props would additional points? Also wondering what the species/points breakdown looks like. Ok so maybe I'm interested in the HAP program

And why doesn't my browser like the plant forums?

Chad

just like the BAP there are catagories, sub catagories, and target species, etc. Flowering is awarded it's own points (equal to the point value of the plant) and sexual propegation is also awarded bonus points (again, equal to the point value of the plant) so getting sexual propegation of a flowering target species is obviously the cat's meow.

Sounds like there is a lot of interest in this program; even more than just a few months ago. I'm excited to see this kind of enthusiasm and conversation about the subject. Hopefully, the leadership team will be able to nail something down with all of you folks' help soon.

FYI - I'm still looking for a HAP/BAP category for cynobacteria. Even though I've killed it all in my tanks, I'm sure I can bring it back with a vengeance.

Cool so it is the same setup as we have had in other clubs, with the exception of the target species. The sooner we could get it going the better, it is almost flower season for the elodea's and egeria's we have, might even get a sword flower.



Just remember duckweed has flowers it's harder to get a good pic than it is to get a flower on them.

James, make sure you get with Brad Clarkston. He is who we appointed the HAP chair in January. I am sure he would appreciate the teamwork. I haven't seen him online for awhile, but he may be busy with his new fishroom too.
Mike

I am very interested in this as well. Just wondering how it will work. Especially when it comes to flowering.
Currently have Polygonum sp 'Porto Velho' flowering. And then my Eichornia diversifolia is starting to put out a lily shaped pad on the surface. Not sure what that is about?
Plus I have gotten other plants to flower in the past.

www.gaas-fish.net/bap-hap/HAP-Rules.pdf

This not OK's but it is an example since there is a discussion going on and maybe this will feed the interest and get people thinking in more detail about options and possibilities.

www.gaas-fish.net/bap-hap/HAP-Form.pdf

This one is very simple and straight forward. Anyone could run if they had the time and knowledge for plant identification and home visits.