HORTICULTURE AWARDS PROGRAM (HAP)
The Raleigh Aquarium Society Horticulture Award Program (HAP) is designed to encourage members to maintain and reproduce aquatic plants, make them more widely available and to share their knowledge, aquatic gardening experiences and aquascaping talents. The program is open to all members.
Points are awarded for reproducing the plant(s) or simply maintaining them in their tank for at least 3 months. The number of points awarded is determined according to plant hardiness and general level of difficulty. Semi-aquatic (amphibious) plants grown out of water are also allowed.
To illustrate and document success, the RAS member may submit a sequence of two or more photographs of the plant(s) in their tank or growing container and are encouraged to include commentary and advice on how to keep, arrange and reproduce them. The photos can also present the beauty of individual aquarium plants and placement in an aquascape. The pictures and other submitted documentation will be shared with other aquarists through the RAS web site or social media. To receive credit and to further share with members, the plants could alternatively be donated for sale in an RAS auction. A desired outcome of the program is a database of the plants successfully grown in the local area and who to contact for more information about cultivation or current availability of the plants.