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International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society

Spring, 2005 Volume 20, Number 1

Page 2 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1

In This Issue President’s Comments Page 2 President’s Comments by Wayne Davis by Wayne Davis, Jr.

Page 3 Executive Director’s Comments It is hard to believe that Spring is only two weeks away, given the fact that the temperature outside today is in the by Paula Biles teens. Having just returned from a swing through Texas Page 3 IWGS Committee Chairs where the temperature was 50 degrees higher and lilies are in bloom we are very anxious for warm weather here. Page 4 The Grower’s Corner Visiting with Ken Landon in San Angelo we were by John Loggins hopeful that we would get to see the new ponds being

Page 5 Aquatic Palms built there for one of our IWGS Certified Collections. by Jorge Monteverde Unfortunately, due to weather delays the ponds were not yet completed. Ken hopes to have them operational by Page 12 The 10% Solution the middle of April. What we were able to see looks by Dick Schuck extremely exciting and should be quite spectacular. If you are anywhere close to San Angelo this season it Page 13 Affiliate Societies would be well worth your time to visit this facility. by Tom Frost Hopefully, if you have not already done so, you are Page 14 Water Gardens on Tour planning to contribute to our Memorial Fund which will by Suzan Phillips be used to recognize eminent individuals from within our Page 14 Extreme Pond industry who have passed on. by Rowena Burns We are looking forward to a great symposium in Page 15 News and Notes Bethlehem, PA. Our symposium chairperson, Susan Davis, and host, Tom Tilley, have put together an Page 15 Symposium Update exciting program that you will not want to miss. The Page 16 Committee Reports speakers are listed in this journal.

Page 18 Perry Slocum A special thanks to Rolf Nelson and his outstanding by Charles Thomas committee who did a superb job in selecting the and Peter Slocum recipients of our research grants. These grants were given for applied research and we hope that they will Page 20 Society Information provide important and useful information to further enhance our industry and hobby. Also, our sincere IWGS Memorial Fund Established thanks go to Steve Stroupe, whose efforts helped raise

the funds for this very important project. The Society has created a Memorial Fund so friends, relatives, and admirers can honor the memory of Hall of Fame nominees have been accepted and the individuals enthralled by aquatic plants. If you would winners will be announced at the Symposium. Also, if like to pay tribute and celebrate the life of someone who has directly or indirectly benefited water gardeners, you are planning to enter a new for our annual New please add your gift to the Fund. Your thoughtful gift Waterlily Competition please be sure that it reaches the st will be combined with others and be used for projects to appropriate location during the week of May 1 . advance water gardening. A thank you letter will be sent to the honoree’s family. Perry D. Slocum’s family has As we enter the busiest time of the year for our endorsed this Fund as a fitting memorial for him—a commercial members, it is difficult to get all of the devoted aquatic nurseryman, hybridizer, author, committee work completed in a timely fashion. Please photographer, mentor, promoter, and teacher. Please volunteer to assist with this work. . . . we need your help! send your contribution soon to honor Perry’s legacy. Think Spring and Happy Pondering W. Wayne Davis, Jr.

Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 3

Executive Director’s Comments IWGS Committee Chairs

by Paula Biles

Audit New Waterlily Occasionally writing checks can be very satisfying, Wayne Davis Competition especially when the money will be spent on aquatic plant studies. So it was with great pleasure that we Craig Presnell Constitution/ sent checks to the recipients of this year’s research Bylaws Nominating grant awards. Thanks to the work of a dynamic and Rowena Burns Brad McLane creative individual, the donations of many water garden businesses, and the generosity of bidders, our Executive Public Relations Special Auction at the 2004 Symposium raised $9377 Wayne Davis (Volunteer needed) for research projects. One of the Society’s main goals is to support aquatic plant research and we’re looking Fundraising Registration forward to bringing you the results of their work. Jim Purcell Advisory

(You can read more about the winning grants on page Wayne Davis 17.) Honors & Awards Research & You should have received a copy of the 2005 Tom Tilley Scholarships

Symposium Registration Brochure, with preliminary Rolf Nelson itineraries for both the Main (July 20-24) and the Int’l Waterlily Post-Symposium (July 25-26). There is a large Preservation Special Projects/ horticultural show (Pennsylvania Allied Nursery Ken Landon Auction

Trade Show) on the following day, about 40 miles Tish Folsom away. Our hosts, Tilley’s Nursery & Waterworks, Invasive will arrange for free entry and transportation if there is Barre Hellquist Symposium & enough interest. Be sure to contact Tom Tilley before Programming Journal/ June 13 if you would like to attend. Susan Davis Editorial Board Would you like additional Registration Brochures to James Allison Trials and distribute to friends, colleagues, customers, or Club Collections Library members? I will be delighted to send some. Just email Bob Burns or call to let me know how many. Walter Pagels Victoria This year we have more flexible registration options Membership Conservancy to accommodate those with busy schedules. In Cathy Green Nancy Styler addition, early birds get a big discount to make things easier on their pocketbooks and our planning. This Website year we’ve got an extra incentive to get your Wayne Davis registration in right away. The 13th registration received will get a complimentary room upgrade to a one-bedroom suite at our host hotel. Editor’s Note: We encourage you to become By the way, if you haven’t sent in your 2005 involved with IWGS activities. It’s a great way to learn, network, and help the Society. membership dues, you won’t be reading this; your membership has expired. If you have a friend who To join a committee contact the Chairperson hasn’t yet renewed, tell them to mail, fax, or email it shown above using your 2003/2004 in. Membership Directory or contact the Executive Paula Biles Director, who is an ex-official member of all committees, as is the President. Page 4 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1

The Grower’s Corner

by John Loggins

Lotus Propagation

Regardless of what the groundhogs in the USA customers. The smaller tubers and the ones predict, spring usually kicks off in late February damaged during harvest are floated for a few weeks with lotus “season.” Many hours will be spent in and used for replanting next year’s crop. Even frigid water harvesting dormant tubers for maimed lotus without any obvious signs of life will shipments. By the end of April in the southern be given a chance to re-sprout as these plants often USA, growing tips of lotus have elongated from a have more than one growing tip. The only thing left dormant couple of inches to several feet and are after this long process is lengthy sections of lifeless now producing aerial and buds. “runners” or that seem destined for the Transplanting at this time is ill-advised so the sales compost pile. However, after examining a slice of window of opportunity has closed and the next crop these honeycomb shaped spheres it is obvious to me should already be planted for the following spring. that this is the primary ingredient in a popular breakfast cereal. This is just a hunch and I am certainly not a food scientist, but I do know a lot about food and how to eat it.

We grow our lotus in containers as small as fifty gallons up to rubber-lined production tanks that take up five hundred square feet. To decrease harvest time, all of these areas are about fourteen inches deep. Fifteen pounds of slow release fertilizer are broadcasted into the bottom of the larger ponds. Our native sandy loam is then mixed with approximately ten percent compost and spread to an inconsistent depth of seven inches. Though lotus are heavy feeders, if the soil is too rich in organic matter it can have an adverse effect on tuber quality or production. After filling the tank with water, the remaining lotus are planted.

Once the plants begin producing standing leaves, more fertilizer will be added through August. We toss in another five or so pounds every three weeks of whatever we can find cheap, usually a 13-13-13 lawn fertilizer from the feed store. For obvious reasons, this is not a recommended method for the backyard pond.

Several tubs of lotus tubers ready for planting By the end of the summer we have enjoyed countless lotus blossoms and forgotten how hard As we harvest the lotus, the larger tubers are graded this job is. I can begin gearing up for next spring and cut from the growing tip end back two or three and as much as I would like to depend on a stubby joints between the narrowest portions of the tuber. legged, overweight rodent (the groundhog) to A maximum shipping length of eighteen inches determine when I break my winter hibernation, I’ll matches the standard lotus container used by our probably continue to rely on the plants. Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 5

Introducing Aquatic Palms

by Jorge Monteverde – Buenos Aires,

INTRODUCTION grow all around the world, mainly in tropical and subtropical zones Some time ago I had the opportunity to read a very interesting article by the expert Betsy Sakata (Hall WHAT BOTANISTS TELL US of Fame IWGS 2001) from Hawaii, USA, in which she told about one of her favorite aquatic plants, I immediately checked the indispensable reference renda Blume (sealing palm). She by Dr. Christopher D.K. Cook, and got a little surprise: the renowned specialist says that the taxonomical Order (within which the Family Palmae resides) does not include any families that have aquatic species. That statement directly contradicted Ms. Sakata’s respected opinion, and piqued my curiosity even more.

With the help of the Internet, I was able to quickly update the information in Dr. Cook’s book, which was first published in 1974, with a revised 2nd edition published in the 1990’s. Two species are considered aquatic in the scientific literature available on the Internet: Nypa fruticans Wurmb., native to the of Southeast and and naturalized in Trinidad and West ; and musicalis Beentje, a freshwater palm from the ever-surprising island of .

But not everything is on the Internet yet, and for a long time bibliographic research will be necessary. Zamia roezlii seedling with In this manner, from the different documents characteristic bronze or golden leaves photo by Gaston Torres Vera consulted, more species slowly came forth, some of them with a subtle differentiation that science has made within what we as water gardening aficionados would consider aquatic plants. mentioned that there were other aquatic palms, but left discussion of them for another time, adding that We know that plants which live all or part of their their beauty and potential as water garden plants lives in close relation to an aquatic environment are merited further study and widespread attention. called “hydrophytes” (C.D. Sculthorpe expounds on this subject; its reach, inaccuracy, and Taking her passing comment as a challenge, I began subjectivities). When we speak together as to explore palms with the close attention suggested enthusiasts we don’t usually get down to the details by Ms. Sakata. As the result of my curiosity I ended regarding whether the environment of one or up investigating these , and realized another plant is what we call “lentic,” of calm they would contribute greatly to water gardening if water, or “lotic,” of moving water. But those who I could precisely identify the aquatic species of this dedicate themselves to the study of palms make the vast family of plants. The Family Palmae distinction. () comprises over 1880 species, not counting varieties, distributed in 191 genera that It is common to find the term “rheophyte” in their writings which refers to plants (palms in this case) Page 6 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1 which live all or part of their lives in moving water, that category, though outside the strict criteria for be it fast or slowly moving, and which have adapted scientific classification as aquatic. Cyrtostachys strategies to deal with the difficulties of growing in renda, the sealing wax palm, which started this those surroundings. We can conclude then, those article, is not technically aquatic but still fulfills our plants which are categorized as rheophytes, are water-gardening needs, and so it could be called hydrophytes, but with a particular specialization. aquatic for our purposes.

Ravenea musicalis Beentje is one of those, as are rheophytica Dransf., cataractarum Mart., Geonoma linearis Burret., Hydriastele rheophytica Dowe & M.D. Ferrero, Pinanga rivularis Becc, Pinanga tenella (H. Wendl.) Scheff. var tenella, and perhaps, though lacking full study, Dypsis crinita (Jumelle & H. Perrier) Beentje & Dransf., Geonoma brevispatha Barb. Rodr. and Pinanga subintegra var beccariana (Furtado) C.K.Lim.

Dr. Henk Beentje (personal comment): “Dypsis crinita usually grows along riversides, so not really in the water; many seedlings do start in fairly fast flowing water (as rheophytes – with pliable underwater leaves) but I believe that when they grow larger they either are carried away by the current or collect stream debris around them and so become riverside plants!”

Not mentioned as rheophytes, but certainly existing in fully aquatic environment, we should add Dypsis aquatilis Dransf. and Mart.

So up to this point we have, according to the scientific literature, just 9 species and 1 variety of palm which are proven to be aquatic, with 2 species and 1 variety which are very likely to be aquatic, but lack full certainty botanically speaking. I have not found additional references with sufficient scientific footing or coming from distinguished cuatrecasana, photo by Gaston Torres Vera investigators, except a mention of paludosa Roxb. (Scott Zona) in a context not thoroughly scientific. This palm, like others which I While the previous portion of this article is clearly will mention later, thrives not only in aquatic backed by scientific literature, the following does environments, but also grows well in very different not presume the same rigor. It is the result of some conditions, such as on dry ground in the Botanical investigation, some conversations with specialists, Garden of Buenos Aires where there are two and quite a lot of compilation of pieces of nearly a hundred years old. information that were buried in various resources. My objective is to offer the widest possible range of BEYOND SCIENTIFIC DEFINITIONS information in an organized and useful manner to stand alone, as a base for other investigations, or to As of now, the scientific evidence shows a small help us confirm personal experiences which will group of species of palms that are truly hydrophytes then permit us to delve more deeply into the and rheophytes. But for our interest as aquatic potential for palms as aquatic ornamentals. gardeners, there are certainly others that fall into Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 7

size of the majority of the possible palms and the WHY HAVE PALMS BEEN OVERLOOKED? impression that they are too big to incorporate into What are some of the reasons we haven’t thought of the landscape of a pond. Some mature leaves can these elegant plants as ornamentals for our ponds reach more than 8 meters in length (and then there’s and ? Without thinking too hard, some Raphia taedigera at more than 18 meters!). Others ideas come to mind, and I am sure there are others: are not easily adapted to the climates where most enthusiasts live. But from my point of view, that  Lack of knowledge about these palms shouldn’t impede our botanical curiosity. We and their characteristics. should learn as much as can and embark on the  The difficulty involved in obtaining adventure. or in growing some palms in temperate climates. Even taking into account the truly enormous mature  The fact that many are difficult to grow size of many of these species, they tend to grow under even the best circumstances. quite slowly and can offer us much pleasure while they are young. There is also the possibility of  Nurseries don’t offer aquatic palms. managing the young plants with bonsai techniques,

some of which are published on the Internet. However, not all of these palms are big, and some of the species mentioned could actually be considered small.

THE SPECIES When we as water gardeners speak in general of aquatic plants, we think of those members of the plant kingdom which thrive in “watery environments,” not just those plants which depend on flooded or completely saturated conditions, as would be the case with true hydrophytes. As gardeners, we would include those palms which are essentially terrestrial but which grow under conditions of long-term seasonal flooding, as well as those species that grow on the borders of permanent bodies of water. These plants are called helophytes. We also include species that in our experience seem to have adapted well in plantings in extremely wet conditions.

Seeing palms from this point of view, removing the rigorous lens of science, we widen our range and find a significant number of additional species Copernica alba which, in their natural , are associated with photo by Paula Biles permanent or seasonal wetlands. Of the species that I mention below, many are known as bog plants while others are at least moisture-loving. In addition, the majority of the literature regarding aquatic ornamental plants and water gardening is In this investigation I have identified 136 palms from, and for, countries with rigorous climates such (130 species and 6 varieties) belonging to 50 as the USA, Canada, and Northern Europe, so the genera. Eighty-three are from the , 41 specialized publications have not included palms. from Asia and Australia and 12 from Africa, including Madagascar. Expert review of the article It is also probable that the omission of palms from previous to publication brought new species to light the water gardening literature is due to the ultimate that I had missed. I have made an effort to make Page 8 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1 this list as accurate and complete as possible, but The following is an alphabetical list detailing the even so, there may well be species I have species. Additional characteristics are included overlooked. when possible, such as common names, origin, form of the leaves, mature height, trunk I have purposely left out many species that are characteristic, , etc. considered climbing, vining, or leaning because they aren’t interesting from the point of view of this Note: When doubts arose regarding names or article. Most of them belong to the large synonyms, I used the nomenclature accepted by , the genus Daemonorops, with a few from Royal Botanical Garden, Kew. the genus Korthalsia.

Acoelorraphe wrightii (everglades palm) – , coast; palmate; clumping; max. 6-8m; low-lying areas inundated by fresh or brackish water Archontophoenix alexandrae (King Alexander palm) – Australia; pinnate; solitary; 20m. Areca reophytica – ; pinnate; confined to the banks of fast flowing streams RHEOPHYTE Areca triandra (triandra palm) – , ; pinnate; clumping; 3-4m; tropical and subtropical. australasica (Australian arenga palm)– Australia, , ; pinnate; clumping; 5m. Arenga caudata (dwarf sugar palm) – Southeast Asia; pinnate; clumping; over 1.8m. Arenga engleri (Formosa palm) – Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands; pinnate; clumping; 3-5m. Arenga pinnata (black sugar palm) – , India, Southeast Asia; pinnate; solitary; 20m. Asterogyne guianensis – southern French Guiana; leaves simple, bifid, becomes split with age and then appear pinnate; solitary; 2m; lowland rain forest inundated area. alatum – , Costa Rica, Panamá; pinnate ( like); 7m; moisture loving Astrocaryum jauari – ; black water swamps, seasonally inundated; pinnate; trunks and petioles very spiny; clumping; 13m. – Amazon rainforest; pinnate; trunk and very spiny; solitary; 7-10m. Along river margins or periodically inundated areas. Astrocaryum standleyanum – Pacific coast Costa Rica and , Atlantic coast Pan; pinnate, solitary; 15m; lowland rain forest or imperfectly drained soils. Astrocaryum urostachys – flood plain forest; pinnate; trunk and petiole very spiny; clumping; 8m; along river margins or periodically inundated areas. Attalea butyracea (American oil palm) – ; pinnate; solitary; 15m; wet forest areas Attalea cuatrecasana (American oil palm) – Colombia; pinnate leaves to 6m; acaulescent (stemless); very wet lowland rain forest bidentula – , Perú, Colombia, ; pinnate, clumping, 4m; spiny; along margins of blackwater streams/rivers Bactris brongniartii – Amazon region; pinnate; clumping, forming large colonies by rhizomes; 8m; along margins of rivers and seasonally inundated areas. Bactris campestris – Northeastern Amazon; pinnate, clumping; 5m; very spiny; wet areas, poorly drained. Bactris concinna – Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Perú, ; pinnate; clumping, forming large colonies; 8m; river margins, wet places. (pupunha, peach palm) – Brazil, Colombia, to Central America; pinnate, clumping; 18m; moisture loving Bactris glaucescens – Brazil, ; pinnate; clumping; 4m; along margins of rivers/streams or wet places liable to seasonal inundations. Bactris major – Central and South American rainforest; pinnate; clumping; 8m; open areas but always near groundwater. Bactris maraja – Southern (from Bolivia) to Central America, pinnate; clumping; mid-sized; usually on noninundated soil, occasionally wet areas. Bactris militaris – Costa Rica (Atlantic coast); pinnate; clumping; 5m; low-lying swampy areas Bactris pliniana – Guianas, Perú, Brazil; pinnate; clumping; 3m; very spiny; inundated areas Bactris riparia – Amazon rainforest, blackwater swamps seasonally inundated; pinnate; clumping; 10m. Bactris setosa – Eastern Brazil; pinnate, clumping; 6m; wet areas Calamus australis (lawyer cane) – Australia; pinnate; vining, clumping. Calamus palustris – Southern , . plumeriana – , Dominicana; pinnate; solitary; 10m; wet places. Calyptronoma occidentalis – ; pinnate, solitary; 12m; waterlogged places near streams margins – Dominicana, Puerto Rico, Haiti; pinnate; solitary; 15m; wet areas near streams Chamaedorea amabilis – Costa Rica, Panamá; leaves simple; solitary; 1-2m x 1cm; very ornamental; moisture loving Chamaedorea cataractarum – Mexico; pinnate; acaulescent (stemless), clumping; leaves to 2m. RHEOPHYTE Chamaedorea pausiflora – Western Amazon; leaves simple or rarely pinnate; 0.5-2m x 2cm; inundated or non inundated areas. Chamaedorea seifrizii – Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras; pinnate; clumping; 3m; often in areas liable to inundation. Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 9

Chelyocarpus chuco – Brazil-Bolivia border, palmate, solitary or clumping, 5-12m; swampy areas repens – Perú, Amazon, palmate, solitary; leaning or creeping; 1m; abundant in noninundated soils or inundated soils. Chelyocarpus ulei (xila [Brazil]) – Colombia, Ecuador, Perú & Brazilian Amazon; palmate; solitary; 1-8m; inundated or noninundated areas. alba (caranday palm) – Paraguay, Argentina, southern Brazil; palmate; solitary; 20m; seasonally inundated areas. Flooding is followed by drying out. Copernicia tectorum (palma llanera) – Venezuela, Caribbean; palmate; solitary; 10-15m; seasonally inundated savanna areas. (sealing wax palm) – Southeast Asia; pinnate; clumping; 10m; swamp areas. Desmoncus mitis – Western Amazon region; pinnate; clumping; climbing stems 0.5-1cm x 10m long; inundated or noninundated areas. Desmoncus orthacanthos – Tropical America; unusual elliptical leaved climbing palm with very spiny stems and leaves (1.5-2cm x 10m.); river margins. Dypsis aquatilis – Madagascar; pinnate, trunk absent. HYDROPHYTE Dypsis crinita – Madagascar; pinnate; clumping; 4-15m. POSSIBLE RHEOPHYTE Dypsis paludosa – Madagascar; pinnate; clumping; 4–6m; grows in swamps on white sand. Dypsis rivularis (sari palm) – Madagascar; pinnate; solitary; 6m; river margins. guineensis (African oil palm) – tropical Africa; pinnate; solitary; 15m. Elaeis oleifera – Central America, Colombia, Perú, Ecuador, Brazil, Surinam; pinnate; creeping at base and becoming erect at the top; 6m.; wet areas along streams or rivers. Euterpe longebracteata – Venezuela, Brazil, ; pinnate; solitary; 20m; inundated or noninundated areas. Euterpe oleracea (assai palm, acai palm) – Brazil; pinnate; clumping; 25m; wet areas. Often near the sea in tidal areas. River margins. – Paraguay, Ecuador, flood plain forest; pinnate; solitary; 15-20m; margin of rivers in seasonally inundated areas. Geonoma baculifera – Brazil, Venezuela, Guianas; pinnate; clumping, forming large colonies; 4m; swampy areas. Geonoma brevispatha – Brazil, Perú, Bolivia, Paraguay; pinnate; clumping; 4m; swampy areas of stream edges POSSIBLE RHEOPHYTE Geonoma brongniartii – Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Perú; pinnate; solitary; 1m; well drained or seasonally inundated areas. Geonoma camana – Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Perú; pinnate, solitary; 2m. x 4cm; well drained or swampy areas. Geonoma deversa – Tropical America, pinnate; solitary; 3m; well drained soils, rarely in seasonally inundated areas. Geonoma interrupta – Bolivia, Brazil, Perú, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guianas, Central America; pinnate; solitary or clustered; 7m.; well or poorly drained soils. Geonoma laxiflora – Bolivia, Perú, Brazil, Colombia; stems clustered, -like, usually forming large colonies; leaves simple; 2- 5m; understory of seasonally inundated rain forest, along streams/rivers Geonoma linearis – Ecuador, Colombia; pinnate; solitary or clustered forming large colonies; 3m. RHEOPHYTE Geonoma macrostachys var. acaulis – Western Amazon region; pinnate; acaulescent (stemless), solitary; 1m; seasonally inundated areas. Geonoma macrostachys var. poiteauana – Eastern Amazon region; pinnate; 1m; inundated forests. Geonoma máxima – Brazil, Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador, Colombia, Guiana; clumping; blade very variable; 6m; occasionally inundated areas. Geonoma oldemannii – French Guiana, Brazil; solitary or clumping; leaves simple; 2m; inundated or noninundated areas Geonoma schottiana – Brazil, Ecuador; pinnate; solitary; 5m; deep shade near little streams, sometimes in streaming water Hydriastele rheophytica – New Guinea ; clumping,; 2-3m; edges of streams RHEOPHYTE setigera – (Macanilla [Ven]); Amazon rainforest Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Guyana; clustering; palmate; 2-12m; occasionallly in inundated areas. amicorum – (xila [Bra], Miraña [Col]); palmate, solitary 4m; wet areas along rivers or noninundated areas. Kerriodoxa elegans (white elephant palm) – ; palmate; solitary, acaulescent; leaves to 3m. Korthalsia rigida – Thailand, major (Morichita [Ven]); Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil; pinnate; clumping; 8m; margins blackwater streams/rivers – Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil; pinnate; solitary; 10m; sandy soils near blackwater streams/rivers Leopoldinia pulchra (piassaba palm) – Amazonian Brazil; pinnate; solitary; 3-5m; sandy beaches of blackwater streams/rivers. tenue var. casiquiarense – Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil; palmate/fan form; solitary; 3m; well drained or inundated soils. paludosa (swamp ) – Southeast Asia; palmate; solitary or clumping; 4m. Licuala ramsayi (Australian fan palm) – Northeastern , Australia; palmate; solitary; 15m; one of the most cold-tolerant licualas. Licuala spinosa ( fan palm, spiny licuala palm) – Thailand, Malaysia, , Borneo; palmate; clumping; 3-4m. saccifera (mancaria palm, troolie palm) – Central America, northern South America, Caribbean; leaves entire or partially pinnate; clumping; + 6m; inundated areas near the sea but also in inundated areas inland in lowland forest flexuosa (moriche palm) – Ecuador, northern South America, Trinidad; palmate; solitary; 25m; usually permanently swampy areas. aculeata – Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil; Palmate; clumping, with spiny stems; along inundated margins of blackwater streams/rivers. (ghost palm) – Amazon black water swamps; palmate; clumping, with spiny stems; 15m; river margins. Mauritiella macroclada, (Quitasol palm) – Colombia, Eastern , palmate; seasonally or permanently inundated areas. Page 10 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1

Metroxylon sagu ( palm) – Southeast Asia, South Pacific; pinnate; clumping; 10m. warburgii – South Pacific; pinnate; clumping; 10m. Nypa fruticans (mangrove palm) – Southeast Asia to Australia, Trinidad; pinnate; clumping, acaulescent (stemless); leaves to 5m; also grows in freshwater. HYDROPHYTE bataua (milpesos palm) – Tropical South America; pinnate; solitary; 15m; inundated or noninundated soils. tigillarium (nibung palm) – Sumatra, Borneo, , peninsular Malaysia; pinnate; clumping; 15m. Phoenix paludosa (mangrove ) – India, Southeast Asia; pinnate; clumping; 5-7m; swampy or dry places. Phoenix reclinata (senegal date palm) – Africa; pinnate; clumping; 5-7m. Phoenix roebelenii – Laos (Mekong river); pinnate, clumping, 3m; swampy or dry places Pholidocarpus majadum – Borneo; solitary; flat ground, impeded drainage, near still fresh water Pholidostachys kalbreyeri – Panamá, Colombia; pinnate; solitary; 3m; wet areas near streams or in swamps Phytelephas aecuatorialis – Ecuador; pinnate; solitary; 15m; wet lowlands, large groups along river banks. Phytelephas tenuicaulis ( palm, tagua nut palm) – Ecuador flood plain forest; pinnate; solitary ; inundated places near streams/rivers. Pinanga auriculata – to Borneo Pinanga chaiana – Borneo; pinnate; periodically flooded, near running fresh water Pinanga lepidota – Borneo; pinnate; shrub; flat ground, impeded drainage near still fresh water Pinanga limosa – Malaysia; pinnate; less than 1m. Pinanga mooreana – Borneo; pinnate; periodically flooded, waterfall spray zone, near fresh water running Pinanga palustris – Malaysia; pinnate Pinanga pectinata – Malaysia; pinnate; 5m.; river banks, periodically inundated places. Pinanga polymorpha – Malaysia; pinnate; 3m; moisture loving. Pinanga ridleyana – Borneo; flat ground, periodically flooded Pinanga rivularis – Borneo; pinnate, clumping, 1m. RHEOPHYTE Pinanga simpicifrons – Thailand; pinnate; less than 1m; periodically flooded valley bottoms Pinanga subintegra var. beccariana – Malaysia, Sumatra POSSIBLE RHEOPHYTE Pinanga tenella var. tenella –Borneo; pinnate, clumping 2m. RHEOPHYTE Pinanga tenella var. tenuísima –Borneo; pinnate; clumping 1.5m. Prestoea decurrens – Nicaragua, C. Rica, Panamá, Colombia, Ecuador; pinnate; clumping (stems green); 7m. x 12cm; common along streams/rivers. Prestoea schultzeana (Palma de pantano [Ecu]) – Colombia, Ecuador, Perú; pinnate; clumping; 5m; flat areas liable to inundation, usually near streams. Pritchardia martii (koolau range pritchardia, Lo'ulu hiwa) – Hawaii; palmate; solitary; 5m. (kofi palm) – southern Africa; pinnate; clumping; 10m. () – eastern and central Africa; pinnate; clumping; 15m; leaves to 18-20m. Raphia taedigera – Venezuela, Caribbean, , ; pinnate; solitary; 10m; HYDROPHYTE Ravenea musicalis – Madagascar; pinnate; short, swollen trunk; solitary; 4-8m. RHEOPHYTE (majesty palm) – Madagascar; pinnate; short, swollen trunk; solitary; 5-20m; usually grows on river-banks, but will happily grow in shallow water (as long as it does not move too fast). A beautiful and fast-growing , becoming quite popular. Rhapidophyllum (needle palm) – Southeastern USA; palmate; acaulescent (stemless), clumping, spiny; 1m; sporadically occuring on the coastal plain wet areas or swamp forests, usually moist soils; hardy –20º C Rhapis excelsa (lady palm) – China; palmate; clumping; 3-4m. Rhapis humilis (slender lady palm) – Southern China; palmate; clumping; 6m. dunlapiana (Yagua [Honduras, Nicaragua]) – Caribbean coast, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua; pinnate; solitary; 20m; inundated areas, tidal estuaries or mangrove swamps. – Lesser Antilles, Venezuela, Colombia; pinnate; solitary (whitish gray); 40m; wet areas, savannas liable to inundation. Roystonea princeps – Jamaica; pinnate; solitary (whitish gray); 20m; wet areas. (royal palm) – Cuba, southern Florida; pinnate; solitary; 20m; wet places. bermudana – – solitary, palmate, 7m; dry and marshy habitats. Sabal minor (dwarf or swamp palmetto) – southeastern USA; palmate; acaulescent (stemless), solitary; leaves to 1.5m; along creeks and rivers, usually found in wetlands, not subject to annual flooding Sabal palmetto (sabal palm, cabbage palm) – southeastern USA; palmate; solitary; 15m; tidal flats, river banks, seasonally inundated savannas. magnifica – Borneo; pinnate; clumping, acaulescent (stemless); leaves to 5m. Salacca wallichiana (salak) – Indonesia; pinnate; clustering; 5m. Salacca zalacca (snake palm, salak) – Indonesia, Thailand; Java; Sumatra; pinnate; clustering; acaulescent 5m. repens (saw palmetto) – Southeastern USA; palmate; clumping, usually prostrate; trunks to 10m; moisture to wet soil. (queen palm) – Argentina, , southeastern Brazil; pinnate; solitary; 15m; subtropical and temperate zones ; variety of habitats: seasonally dry forest to swampy areas. Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 11

Wettinia augusta (Ponilla) – Perú, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia; pinnate, clumping; 12m; occasionally inundated areas. drudei (pachuba [Col]) – Perú, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil; pinnate, clumping; 6m; inundated or noninundated areas. Wettinia radiata (Palma sapa [Col]) – Panamá, Colombia; pinnate; solitary; 9m; abundant in inundated areas.

PALM-LIKE PLANTS Literature Cited

We have seen the palms which are either truly Beentje, Henk J. Oct-93. A new aquatic palm from aquatic or at least adaptable to wet environments. Madagascar Principes, now Palm, Journal of the But I don’t want to end without briefly mentioning International Palm Society 37(4) 197-202 the most ancient living group of seed plants, which Barrow, Sasha. Oct-94. In Search of Phoenix roebelenii: often go hand-in-hand with palms: the cycads. To The Xishuangbanna Palm. Principes 38(4) 177-181 the uninitiated, they look something like palms so I Cook, Christopher D.K et. al. 1974. Water Plants of the include them, but they are distinct and distant from World. SPB Acad. Pub., The Netherlands. Reprinted and revised 1990-1996, now Aquatic Plants Book. the palms. These remarkable survivors can Dimitri, Milan J. 1978. Enciclopedia argentina de also contribute to our water gardening enjoyment, agricultura y jardinería, Tomo I, ‘Descripción de las particularly Zamia roezlii Lind. and Zamia chigua plantas cultivadas’. Editorial ACME. Buenos Aires. Seem. both from the wetlands of Colombia and Dransfield, J. 1992. Observations on rheophytic palms Ecuador, and Zamia purpurea Vovides, J.D. Rees in Borneo. Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Études & Vázquez T. from Mexico. These plants must be Andines. 21(2) 415:432. considered moisture loving. Henderson, Andrew, Galeano, Gloria & Bernal, Rodrigo. 1995. Field Guide to the Palms of the Acknowledgements Americas. Princeton Univ. Press Sakata, Betsy. Sealing Wax Palm -- IWGS Aquatic Helena, my wife, a true “green thumb,” to whom I owe Plant Commentary, Jan/Feb 2003, 9(1)7. my interest in water gardening. Carla Black in Panamá, Sculthorpe, C. Duncan. 1967. The biology of aquatic who generously agreed to translate this article from vascular plants. Edward Arnold Ltd. (London). Spanish, and Ángel Rodriguez, her husband, who Uhl, N.W. & Dransfield, J. 1987. Genera palmarum: a introduced me to Dr. Jody Haynes. Dr. Jody Haynes, classification of palms based on the work of H.E. Moore Cycad Biologist at Montgomery Botanical Center, Coral jr. Kansas: The International Palm Society & the Bailey Gables, Florida, for his generous and selfless technical Hortorium. revision, his immediate availability, and his contribution Van Steenis, C.G.G.J., 1981. Rheophytes of the world. in providing indispensable information on the species, Netherlands: Sijthoff & Noordhoff. which in many cases had been mentioned only by name Velásquez, Justiniano. 1994. Plantas acuáticas and origin. He also provided photographic illustrations vasculares de Venezuela. Univ. Central de Venezuela, and was always available for consultation. Dr. Henk J. (Colección estudios). Beentje FLS, Editor, Flora of Tropical East Africa, Zona, Scott. 2002. Morphological and ecological Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, botanist, recognized diversity of Palms. Fairchild Tropical Gardens. scientific authority in palm trees; for his generous and fast technical final review and valuable comments and Internet Resources corrections. Paula Biles, Executive Director of IWGS; one of the first people to be interested in the article, and www.pacsoa.org.au/palms , www.rarepalmseeds.com , who encouraged me to continue working on it. Walter www.virtualherbarium.org , Pagels, for his willingness to provide bibliographical www.kew.org/data/monocots/palm_all.pdf , information which was difficult for me to find in www.plantapalm.com Argentina. He didn’t have it either, but made the effort to get it. Dr. Gastón Torres Vera, Córdoba, Argentina, About the Author member of the International Palm Society. He gave me the first list of palms which I used to begin this work. He Jorge Monteverde was the first Argentine member also provided photographic illustrations. Erica Bölle, of IWGS, and is an enthusiast of both studying and “mother” of water gardening in Argentina, and her husband, Sebastian. Both dear friends. growing aquatic plants. He can be contacted at [email protected]

Page 12 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1

Plants and Clean Water—The 10% Solution

by Dick Schuck

Clearing and cleaning the pond is not as difficult as drastically reduce its effectiveness. Besides filtering many people believe. In fact, the long, complicated out solids and clearing green water, your natural formulas and equations you often read in garden filter is an excellent biological filter as the plant and aquarium magazines aren’t really necessary. roots provide abundant surface area for nitrifying All you need to know is The 10% Solution. Here’s bacteria. When the plants are dormant (early spring how it works: and late fall) your pond water may “green up” but once the dormant spell is broken, rapid clearing will Construct a plants basin near your pond with a size occur. The use of ultraviolet filtration is advised to equivalent to 10% or more of the surface area of maintain clear water when the plants are dormant. your pond. Fill this basin with water plants and re- circulate your pond’s water through it every 2 to 4 One last thing: The plants in your natural or plants hours. Within a few short weeks your water will be filter will generally be healthier and many times clear and your pond will be clean. This is because larger than the plants in your pond. This is because your plants basin has simultaneously consumed the the plants in your filter get a constant flush of “pea soup” causing nutrients in your pond as well nutrients from the recirculating pond water. As as removed the solid waste particles from your you’re probably aware, this is the basis of water via settling and filtering. Thus, your hydroponic gardening. And your plants filter will plants basin has become a natural filter. prove to be a testament to this progressive gardening system. Depending on the size of your pond, this natural filter can be as small as a half whiskey barrel or as One of the critical components of plant filtration is large as another small pond. A pond that is 20 sq. ft. that it is important to establish cool season plants in in size would require a 2 sq. ft. filter; a pond 400 sq. the spring in a northern climate or during the winter ft. in size would require a 40 sq. ft. plants filter. in a southern climate. The benefits of plants like Large filters can be constructed using 2”x8” or Iris, Myosotis, Oenanthe, Mimulus and the like are 2”x10” pressure treated lumber and a rubber or that the root systems of these cool weather lovers other flexible liner. The filter should be at least 10” are active as soon as the days begin to lengthen and deep so it can act as a settling chamber for solid the water begins to warm. They begin extracting waste pumped from your pond. The pond water excess nutrients accumulated over the winter should enter the filter at a point furthest from the months from decaying plant matter and fish waste, overflow to maximize the distance of water flow as well as from in the early spring. thereby allowing the greatest settlement of solids in the plant filter. We continue to see consumers fixated on the use of Eichhornia and Pistia as their only effective Almost any water plants will do but some of my filtration plants. The requests for these plants begin favorites are: Hardy Plants–Water Iris, Water Mint, as early as March in our Zone 6/7 area if we have a Water Celery, Cattails and Lotus; Tropical Plants– few warm days in a row. Although both are Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce, Giant or Egyptian extremely effective, they are not removing any Papyrus and Umbrella Palm. Through trial and error nutrients until the water warms sufficiently in the I’ve found all of these to work quite effectively in a early summer. In the absence of cool season plants, natural or plants filter, however some may become algae will proliferate and the warm season plants invasive if not controlled by potting. In late fall, start out already losing the battle. The key is to remove plants that have died and strip leaves from include both cool and warm season plants, each in hardy and perennial plants. Clean your filter in late their own time. By including both, the notorious fall or early spring for the coming year. A mid- spring and late summer algae blooms are summer cleaning may also be necessary for very significantly reduced and most likely eliminated dirty situations. As with any filter, clogging will completely. Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 13

Plant filters can be constructed in a manner that is Affiliate Societies an aesthetic asset to the finished design. Don’t be afraid to push your creative buttons. by Tom Frost

 A two pond approach works best for koi lovers. The upper plant pond functions Burnby Hall Gardens as the filter and keeps fish from their seek and destroy missions. Cyperus Burnby Hall Gardens are located in Pocklington, alternifolius tolerates salt. England (a small town 13 miles east of York) and is  Streams are an excellent way to home to England’s National Collection of Hardy incorporate 10% or more area. Waterlilies. With several lakes and beautiful  Lotus moats create a striking backdrop gardens covering over eight acres and serving as to any pond. “home” to over 100 varieties of waterlilies, koi, birds, ornamental trees, plants, shrubs and ,  Add floating islands or rafts to increase root exposure, plant diversity and the Gardens welcome visitors each year from March through October. pizzazz. The Gardens were created by Major Percy Stewart On the Horizon: Flotation Technology to provide himself with a beautiful and wonderful

Maryland Aquatic Nurseries, Inc. has developed an spot for which to display his collection of exclusive line of floating island and raft products. waterlilies as well as enjoy some private trout These products have opened up a wealth of new fishing. Stewart was an adventurer, hunter and traveler, traveling around the world seven times avenues for us for the future. We are currently working with Andy Lazur, Aquaculture Specialist between 1906 and 1926. During his travels, Stewart from the University of Center for collected various artifacts from many of the various Environmental Science. He has been awarded two places he visited, including various species of the waterlilies that are still flourishing in the Gardens grants; one for the study of plants we have chosen to study nutrient uptake. The list includes Canna, today. Upon his death in 1963, his estate and Thalia, Oenanthe and Menyanthes to determine amazing gardens were left in Trust for all of the how they can be incorporated into sediment people of Pocklington and the thousands of visitors that come from all over the world to enjoy its retention ponds, nutrient runoff and animal waste offerings. containment projects, etc. The second is to incorporate those findings and other plants into The Gardens also features a small museum detailing applications that use raft systems. Pontederia, Iris, the life of Stewart, a tea room and a gift shop. On Peltandra, Orontium, Saururus and Zizania will Sunday afternoons in the summertime, the Gardens also be used to determine nutrient uptake in rafted host open-air concerts featuring some of England’s vs. un-rafted plants. top brass bands.

Both grants include funded education programs as For more information on Burnby Hall Gardens and part of the overall project. We couldn’t be more the Stewart Collection Museum, you may visit their excited about the data and its potential for new website at: www.burnbyhallgardens.com applications. Burnby Hall Gardens The Balk Editor’s Note: Dick Schuck is the owner of Pocklington Maryland Aquatic Nurseries, Inc. This article was East Riding of Yorkshire presented at the 2004 Symposium in Toronto by YO42 2QE England Kelly Billing, also from Maryland Aquatic Nurseries. Telephone: +44(0)1759 307125 [email protected] Page 14 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1

Water Garden Tour Extreme Pond Plants

by Suzan Phillips by Rowena Burns

Latour Marliac Running water—When aquatic plants are found in the wild, the majority will be near the edge of a quiet In the town of Temple Sur Lot about 20 minutes pond. Not many plants survive successfully in from Bordeaux by auto route A-62 lies Latour conditions of rapidly moving water, but a few thrive in Marliac, the birthplace of cultivated waterlilies. flowing water conditions. Spectacular effects can be Started by Joseph Bory Latour Marliac, the first achieved using plants that spread horizontally, hybridist to produce waterlilies in many colors and creeping over the rocks in a stream or waterfall, and forms. hanging down vertically in a cascade of green leaves. This is the oldest and most prestigious waterlily Particularly good for this are three plants: European nursery in the world and the place where the French Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga), Watercress artist Claude Monet obtained the waterlilies made (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) and Creeping Jenny famous in his paintings. The nursery today houses (Lysimachia nummularia). As long as their roots are the French National Collection of Nymphaea, 200 anchored firmly, they can grow with very little soil. hardy and tropical waterlilies plus a collection of Brooklime spreads quickly forming a carpet of oval Victoria amazonica. green leaves. As summer progresses, the stems Latour Marliac is open seven days a week develop a pink blush. Tiny, intensely blue flowers from May through September from 10am – 5pm appear abundantly throughout late spring and early summer. At home in sun or part shade, Brooklime The garden shop, which sells plants, is open from survives winter best if it has shelter from a taller plant March 15 to the end of October or a rock. (Zones 4-9)

Phone number - 33-5-5301-0805 Another well-known European native, Watercress has www.latour-marliac.fr naturalized in many areas of North America, where it enjoys growing in the water of fast flowing streams ************************************* and wet riverbanks. By early summer, the rosettes of Chateau D’ Eyrignac small white flowers open. Spicy Watercress is a great addition to a salad or sandwich. However, Watercress And while you are in Dordogne, there is a gem of a sandwiches from your pond are not a good idea. The garden not to be missed at the Chateau D’ Eyrignac, leaves harbor a tiny snail, which can contain 24590 Salignac, Eyvignes. It has been awarded the dangerous liver flukes. Any Watercress that is Grand Prix des Jardins de France. destined to be eaten should be started from seed, and grown in drinking quality water. (Zones 4-9) This garden was laid out first in the 18th century, inspired by Italian designs and was restored 40 Creeping Jenny is a versatile plant that will grow in years ago by the father of the present owner. the garden, in the pond, and even under water. Grown in shallow running water, the profuse chains of round Open all year from 10am to dusk, but closed from leaves make a striking accent, especially when the 12:30pm – 2:00pm for lunch golden flowers appear. If desired, Creeping Jenny can Picnic area available. be allowed to escape into the garden, blending the stream edge with the surrounding landscape. (Zones The garden holds two plant festivals a year, one in 4-10) April and the other in early November. Other plants to try: Bacopa monnieri, Mimulus Phone number - 05-53-28-99-71 ‘Lothian Fire’, Ludwigia repens, Lysimachia www.eyrignac.com nummularia aurea. Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 15

News and Notes Symposium Update

IWGS Member Heinjo Lahring has written Water The 2005 Symposium seminars will cover a wide and Plants of the Prairie Provinces which range of topics and be delivered in diverse formats. has won a Publishers Award at the Saskatchewan We invite you to join us for learning and fellowship. Book Awards. Thursday, July 21 (at Longwood Gardens) USDA scientists in Ames, Iowa, are working on a Water Gardening: Reflecting on the Past, Gazing system to help predict how alien plants would into the Future – Anita Nelson behave when introduced to the landscape. Models integrate life-history traits with climatic and Growing Knockout Waterlilies – Tim Jennings geologic risk analysis. The team tested the system (delivered pondside) on 100 non-native plants and compared predictions Informal Aquatic Forms with actual escape histories. The models could Water gardening trends: what’s hot and what’s someday be used to help gauge how plants would not react before they were actually introduced. Fertilizers and planting media

Educating and listening to water gardeners USDA National Agriculture Library (NAL) has Retail displays and merchandising closed the Aquaculture Information Center (AIC), established in 1985. The NAL’s Alternative Friday, July 22 (at Tilley’s Nursery/Waterworks) Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) and Round Robins the Library’s Reference and Reader Services Unit Pump Selection – Deb Spencer now provide limited resources and referrals on Disappearing Fountains – Mike Swize aquaculture. AFSIS has created a new “Aquaculture Waterfall & Liner Shortcuts – Rob Dietter Resources” Web page. Please update your Ultraviolet Lamps – Steve Zimmer aquaculture links to: www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/afsaqua/htm Saturday, July 23 (at Hotel Bethlehem) Aquatic Plant Pests and Diseases: How to Treat Them – Kelly Billing The International Fair “EXPO PESCA,” to be held November 24-26, 2005 will be the most Invasives: Risks, Rewards, and Opportunities–Craig important event in Fishing and Fish Farming for the Regelbrugge year 2005, in Lima, Peru. The Secrets to Photographing Aquatics—James Due to the great success of “Expo Pesca 2003,” Allison exhibiting area in 2005 will grow by 50%. Concurrent Session #1 In 2003 they had an impressive attendance from all Growing Aquatics from Seed – Randy Heffner around the world. Foreign visitors came from North American Bogs – Greg Speichert Argentine, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, England, France, Holland, Concurrent Session #2 Germany, India, Nicaragua, Norway, Russia, Spain, Barley, Bacteria, and Other “New” Water Quality U.S.A. and Venezuela. Treatments – Jeff Spillars Designing Wetlands: Following Nature’s Lead – Complete information of this event, including Cost Steve Apfelbaum and Bill Young to Exhibit, Booth Design, Exhibit Floor Plan, Sale Representatives for Argentine, Chile, India and Sunday, July 24 (at Hotel Bethlehem) , among others, is available in the website: Poster Sessions—concise presentations of research/work posted on boards, combining text and www.thaiscorp.com/expopesca/english.htm graphics. Individuals unable to attend the Symposium now have the opportunity to present their work. Contact the office for details. Page 16 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1

Committee Reports

Symposium and Planning Committee they’ve been “up to” lately with the group. These by Susan Davis “posters” are bulletin board-like, and during Sunday there will be times when their creators will be Here are some details for the IWGS Symposium present to speak on the subjects. However those July 20 – 26, 2005, in Bethlehem, PA, USA. unable to attend the Symposium may also submit a poster of their research/work. Registration Costs (in U.S. dollars)

Main Symposium Registration To date, we have Early Reg. - by June 13 - $399 After June 13 - $499 IWGS - Florida 2006 Post Symposium Registration New Books - Greg Speichert will be signing Early Reg. - by June 13 - $150 copies of The Encyclopedia of Water After June 13 - $225 Garden Plants for folks who wish to buy a A La Carte- one day registration for each copy on site Thursday- the trip to Longwood Gardens Nymphaea Registration Friday- the day at Tilley’s and Round Robin A Pictoral History of the IWGS Symposiums Saturday- a day of seminars, auction, Annual General Meeting If you would like to put up a poster, please contact Early Reg. – by June 13 - $125 Rowena Burns at Burns Water Gardens, in Canada. After June 13 - $150 905-372-2737 or [email protected] Special Rate for Affiliate Society Members: Saturday only…1 free registration with 6 paid. For all Registration scenarios Children 12 and over will be full price Children under 12 will be half price.

Hotel Costs We will be staying at the landmark Hotel Bethlehem. It is in downtown Bethlehem’s historic district, within walking distance of several restaurants and shopping. The room rate is $99 (plus taxes) for either single or double room, if reserved by June 19.

The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle from the Lehigh Valley International Airport between 6am and 11pm. For those driving, parking is free.

Reservations can be made at 800-333-3333 or 610-625-5000. Mention “waterlily” to obtain our discount rate.

437 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 www.radisson.com/bethlehempa

This year we have made room for a concept that’s new for the IWGS—Poster Sessions. We have set Tom Tilley demonstrating what you could be doing at the 2005 Symposium aside space for those who wish to share what Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 17

We are also converting our “Shirtsleeve Sessions” into working forums/informal discussion groups, 1. “Release rates of various nutrient elements with topics this year to include: from controlled release fertilizers in submerged environments” – Timothy K.  Listening to and educating water Broschat, Ph.D. gardeners 2. “Evaluation of repetitive nutrient supply on  Retail displays and merchandising biomass production of water hyacinth in aquatic phytoremediation systems” – Laurie  Fertilizers and planting media Fox 3. “Seed & Propagation of  Water gardening trends: what’s hot, Nuphar Microphylla” – Paul Muller, Donald what’s not Padgett

If you have pictures, plans, handouts related to 4. “Seed Dormancy in Nymphaeaceae” – Jerry these subjects, be sure to pack them. M. Baskin, Carol C. Baskin

Our Round Robin at the Tilley’s will include short 5. “Attend Chinese Lotus Exhibition and lessons relating to waterfalls, pump selection, International Lotus Symposium in China to building disappearing fountains, and more. Check present information about Nelumbo out the picture of Tom Tilley – this could be YOU registration, collect knowledge about this summer! available , and establish network of Asian resources” – Virginia Hayes Know any good Waterlily Jokes? What? You don’t know any? Make one up. Here are a couple of ideas… New Waterlily Competition Committee Q. How many water gardeners does it take to by Craig Presnell change a light bulb? Craig Presnell is the new Chair of the New A. Only one, but they need to want to get out of Waterlily Competition Committee. To encourage a the pond to do so! broader participation in the competition, a division

has been added for non-commercial entrants that Q. Why did the frog cross the road? will be awarded separately, but still eligible for the A. Because she knew it was really hoppining award of Best New Waterlily. over there! Bring your favorites, and win a prize for the best joke. Website Committee In the meanwhile, here’s what we want from you— by Wayne Davis

Share the symposium with friends, let your local It is imperative that all committee chairpersons water garden club know about this year’s write articles for submission to the website. symposium, and be sure to tell them about our Saturday one-day Special. Tell an old IWGS friend and be sure they’re coming, too. Registration Committee

Research Committee by Wayne Davis On-line registration is now in place and all by Rolf Nelson submitted registrations have been handled. Five (5) research proposals received funding. The Certificates have been sent to the individuals who money was raised at the 2004 Symposium’s Special submitted cultivars. In preparation for a database of Auction, thanks to the donations of several industry all aquatic plants, a graduate student of Dr. Don Les supporters. The recipients and their research has entered all commonly cultivated aquatic plant projects are: names into BG-BASE and referenced them Page 18 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 20, No. 1

Perry Slocum—The Florida and North Carolina Years

By Peter D. Slocum, edited by Charles B. Thomas

Perry’s dream to locate in Florida occurred during demanded that Perry not compete by selling a 1949 vacation trip. In Winter Haven near curios, the restaurant owner required Perry to Cypress Gardens he spotted a swamp bordering a forsake operating a kitchen, plus purchase an gracefully curved road. But instead of a wild unwanted plot on the other side of the road. swamp, he envisioned the beauty of a water garden display and production site. This would be Buying the unneeded land across the road where someday he might retire and still continue stretched Perry’s finances, but he settled with each in the water garden business. owner. A few years later Perry sold the unwanted plot for more than he had paid for the entire lot! But still being only in his 30’s, he figured that the reality would be to first reach retirement age at his Perry completed the original concrete ponds in current Binghamton, NY, location. After all, 1959. Between then and 1963 he returned to moving the business from the Marathon farm to Binghamton for Christmas tree season, then back the city required considerable effort. Another to Winter Haven for winter, to Binghamton for move would take considerable deliberation, being spring waterlily sales, then again to Florida during that Perry wasn’t impulsive, other than once. the slower time of summer. In between, he grew and trimmed the tree crop. Additionally, he When Perry and brother Beryl had recently operated an aquarium plant business. Perry graduated from Cornell and both were headed for maintained three or four business operations graduate school at Syracuse University, they simultaneously. wanted to go to the 1935 Chicago World’s Fair. Dad (Floyd) said, “No!” That was too far away, During the 1950’s, several New York friends and they must milk cows twice daily--except in photographed birds feeding their young in the hunting season. Beryl hunted with a gun, Perry nest. Perry remarked how boring it must be sitting with a camera. still for hours awaiting birds to fly in at the right position for snapping a good photo. He also Without telling Floyd, the two brothers arranged remarked that he would never again waste his with others to milk the cows. Under the pretense time doing something like this. Nevertheless, of taking a short evening trip, they lured Floyd Perry decided to try one nest. His picture won a into the car. Soon, he fell asleep. Upon awaking, gold medal from the Photographic Society of Dad discovered that they were Chicago-bound. America. He was hooked. Then his developing Silence prevailed on the way out. But once there, passion for photographing nature overlapped all of all three enjoyed a fantastic time. Thereafter, his business operations. Perry always carefully planned ahead time-wise and money-wise. Perry’s incredible patience and keen artistic ability earned hundreds of awards. He became the In 1956 Perry learned that the newly announced world’s number two nature photographer in the Interstate Highway System included I-81 that late 1960’s and 1970’s. He published his would go through Slocum Water Gardens. Being acclaimed Birds of North America and How to forced to relocate, Perry remembered his Florida Photograph Them in 1971. Demand continues for dream, and meticulously explored making it Perry’s waterlily, lotus, bird, and other nature reality. He began by searching for the several photos to illustrate the likes of National owners to persuade them to sell. Geographic Magazine, Time-Life Books, Airline in-flight magazines, and horticultural publications. Owners of the parcels variously operated an orange grove, a couple of older homes, a Slocum Water Gardens, Winter Haven, opened cabin/motel on-the-lake operation with a curio during the summer of 1963 as development of the shop, and a restaurant. The curio shop owner property continued. In 1900 a sinkhole developed Vol. 20, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 19

that formed the swamp known locally as Lake ‘Pink Sensation’ (1947). In 1962 he crossed Rey. Like other sinkholes in the area, it featured a Nelumbo lutea with N. ‘Rosea Plena.’ He was so very unstable, mucky bottom unsuitable for busy moving his nursery to Florida that he waterlily production. remained in suspense until 1964 to sprout the crossed resulting in the superb N. ‘Mrs. However, any property owner in the 1960’s could Perry D. Slocum.’ hire a contractor to do whatever was wanted to alter swampland. Perry’s contractor pumped out A partial list of Perry’s introductions include: water and sand into a nearby lake, and then dumped in clean fill dirt contoured by bulldozer. Tropical day blooming Nymphaeas After two weeks of continuous 24/7 operations, ‘King of Blues’ (1955) ‘Red Beauty’ (1966) and with the soft muck migrating to the edges, the Tropical night blooming Nymphaeas curio shop/cabin neighbor demanded an instant, ‘Maroon Beauty’ (1950) ‘Trudy Slocum’ (1948) complete halt to the process. With most of his hoped-for objectives met, Perry pretended to all Hardy Nymphaeas that his swamp modification project had reached ‘American Star’ (1985) ‘Apple Blossom Pink’ (1988) his intended plan. ‘Carolina Sunset’ (1991) ‘Fantastic Pink’ (1987) ‘Gold Metal’ (1991) ‘Irene Heritage’ (1988) During 1963 Perry sold his New York interests, ‘Perry’s Baby Red’ (1989) ‘Perry’s Black Opal’ (1990) ‘Perry’s Black Opal’ (1990) ‘Perry’s Pink’ (1990) including houses, gardens, and tree plantation. ‘Perry’s Crinkled Pink’ (1989) ‘Perry’s Deepest Red’ (1990) Except for the tree portion, he very successfully ‘Perry’s Double White’ (1990) ‘Perry’s Dwarf Red’ (1989) continued his other expanding interests—pool ‘Perry’s Fire Opal’ (1987) ‘Perry’s Magnificent’ (1990) plants, aquarium plants, nature photography, and ‘Perry’s Pink’ (1984) ‘Perry’s Pink Beauty’ (1989) travel. ‘Perry’s Pink Bicolor’ (1989) ‘Perry’s Pink Delight’ (1990) ‘Perry’s Stellar Red’ (1989) ‘Perry’s Pink’ (1989) The Slocum family continued to regularly visit ‘Perry’s Super Red’ (1989) ‘Perry’s Super Rose’ (1990) ‘Perry’s Vivid Rose’ (1990) ‘Perry’s Viviparous Pink’ (1990) members of the Tricker family (Tricker’s) in New ‘Perry’s White Star’ (1990) ‘Perry’s White Wonder’ (1990) Jersey, Thomas family (Lilypons Water Gardens, ‘Perry’s Wildfire’ (1990) ‘Peter Slocum’ (1984) then called Three Springs Fisheries) in Maryland, ‘Ray Davies’ (1985) ‘Red Sensation’ (1991) the Stetson family (Paradise Water Gardens) in ‘Venus’ (1991) ‘Wow’ (1990) ‘Yellow Princess’ (1991) ‘Yellow Queen’ (1991) Massachusetts, and the Scherer family (Scherer’s ‘Yellow Sensation’ (1991) Water Gardens) in New York. Benefiting from increased prosperity, the Slocums visited the Ted Nelumbo cultivars Uber (Van Ness Water Gardens) and Martin ‘Angel Wings’ (1984) ‘Baby Doll’ (1985) Randig families in California. Travel expanded to ‘Ben Gibson’ (1988) ‘Carolina Queen’ (1984) England with a visit to Frances Perry and others. ‘Charles Thomas’ (1984) ‘Debbie Gibson’ (1988) Other travel included Southeast Asia, Australia, ‘Glen Gibson’ (1986) ‘Gregg Gibson’ (1985) ‘Linda’ (1988) ‘Maggie Belle Slocum’ (1984) and . Perry always sought pool and ‘Nikki Gibson’ (1988) ‘Patricia Garrett’ (1988), aquarium plants new to the American market. ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ (1987) ‘Perry’s Super Star’ (1988) ‘Sharon’ (1987) ‘Suzanne’ (1988) In 1978 Perry sold Slocum Water Gardens to his ‘The Queen’ (1984) son, Peter. Following a long illness, Perry’s beloved Trudy died in February 1979. He moved Perry and Peter Robinson with Frances Perry to the North Carolina mountains where he wrote the 322 page authoritative Water Gardening produced a plethora of extraordinary hybrids, Water Lilies and Lotuses, 1996, Timber Press, mainly waterlilies, but also more than a dozen Portland, Oregon, USA. Perry wrote an updated lotuses and several irises. He also found there a edition of the waterlily and lotus section, which new bride, Maggie Belle Gibson. Moreover, he set includes 130 new hybrids. The book was released up his newly acquired stepson Ben Gibson with in March 2005 and will be reviewed in an the launching of Perry’s Water Gardens. upcoming issue. Perry’s first introduction was Nymphaea ‘Pearl of Copyright 2005 Peter D. Slocum and Charles B. the Pool’ (1946 plant patent 666) followed by N. Thomas

THE WATER GARDEN JOURNAL Volume 20 Number 1

EDITOR FRED MCCORKLE

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