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International Waterlily and Water Society

2nd Quarter, 2007 Volume 22, Number 2

Page 2 The Water Journal Vol. 22, No. 2

In This Issue President’s Comments

Page 2 President’s Comments by Tom Tilley

by Tom Tilley Page 3 IWGS Committee Chairs It is hard to believe this is my last column as the president of the IWGS. It has been a challenging Page 4 Executive Director’s Comments and rewarding two years. I would like to take this by Paula Biles opportunity to thank everyone in the Society for their support and assistance whenever it was Page 5 2006 After-Symposium Collecting requested. This is a very dedicated group of people, Tour of which I am proud to be a part, with a common by David Curtright interest in gardening and water gardening in Page 7 IWGS Happenings particular.

Page 8 News & Notes As an attendee at the first symposium at Longwood I have been witness to the growth of water Page 9 Grower’s Corner gardening over the last twenty plus years. It has by David Curtright been a very interesting trip. The friends I have made Page 10 2007 IWGS Symposium in as a result of attending symposia as well as Thailand becoming involved in the Society have been the most important part of this trip. I can look back and Information provided by our Thai recall a number of those who may have been hosts, gathered by Larry Nau considered the “old guard” when I first joined the Page 12 2008 Research Grant Application IWGS who are no longer with us, but I am proud to Guidelines and 2007 Research have considered these people as friends. The Grant Recipient common element among all of us is our passion for aquatic . by Barre Hellquist Page 14 In Memoriam: Philip Swindells As I was able to meet and talk to the people at symposia from all over the globe a bond was by Charles Thomas formed through this common interest. The places Page 15 In Memoriam: Hildreth Morton which we have visited and the people we have met would never have happened to me without the by Jim and Elaine Lawrie IWGS. There were few books available on water Page 16 Society Information gardening at the time we started to look into water gardening as a possible product category for our garden center. For me, one of the most influential books I read on the subject was & Water IWGS Website Gardens by Bill Heritage. To this day I subscribe to Membership Only Page his theories and methods espousing a natural approach to water garden ecology. Thank you Bill! The membership page features exclusive society news, articles and online voting. Effective July 1, This common bond exists not only with IWGS 2007 the member log on is aquatic and the members, but all water . I have found this password is symposium. with many of our customers, both in the retail as well as the side of our business. A www.iwgs.org number of years ago an elderly gentleman, Jack, who

(continued on page 3) Vol. 22, No. 2 The Water Garden Journal Page 3

President’s Comments IWGS Committee/ Task Force Chairs (continued) Aquatic Art Membership Competition TF Stephen Blessing was a long time customer as well as friend, passed Suzan Phillips away. His daughter called to inform us as to what New Waterlily had happened, because this is what Jack wanted Aquatic Competition done, and he had left specific instructions to make Selection TF Stuart Schuck sure his beloved was taken care of. We were Bob Burns second on his call list after the funeral home. This Nominating may sound a bit morbid, but his pond meant that Audit Rowena Burns much to him. His death happened in the middle of Wayne Davis winter, so we waited until and removed his Public Relations pond, plants and then brought everything here Constitution/ Larry Nau to our store where his grandson picked everything Bylaws up and took it home and installed it. Jack’s pond Rowena Burns Registration will be in our hearts and memories for as long as Advisory we are doing water gardens. I am sure most of us Executive Tom Tilley have memories of similar happenings. We can Tom Tilley cherish them and look to the future. Research & Fundraising Scholarships Speaking of the future, in the not too distant future Rolf Nelson Barre Hellquist the 2007 IWGS Symposium will be taking place in Thailand. The organizing committee has been Honors & Special Projects/ very busy getting everything set up and organized. Awards Auction It looks to be a great itinerary and speaker line up, Rolf Nelson Tish Folsom as well as possibly the trip of a lifetime. More details are available on page 10 of this issue and Int’l Waterlily Thailand 2007 on www.iwgs.org. Preservation Symposium TF Ken Landon Cathy Green Our incoming President, Tish Folsom, will have and Larry Nau to give you the rundown in her first column after we get back from Thailand. I will continue to be TBA Trials and active on the board and executive committee as a Collections past president for the next two years. The IWGS Journal/ Bob Burns can always benefit from individuals getting Editorial Board involved and helping out with various things. Fred McCorkle Victoria Even a couple of minutes or hours here and there Conservancy can add up to a big help, so I would ask that each Library Nancy Styler of you who take the time to read this give some Walter Pagels consideration to helping. Contact myself or any of Website the board members to see how you might be of Cathy Green assistance. Editor’s Note: We encourage you to become involved with IWGS activities. It’s a great way to learn, network, and My sincerest thanks to all of you for your faith help the Society. and support during my term. To join a committee/task force contact the Chairperson Regards to all, shown above using your Membership Directory or contact Thomas Tilley the Executive Director, who is an ex-official member of all committees, as is the President. Page 4 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 22, No. 2

Executive Director’s Comments

by Paula Biles Attend the Plans are proceeding for the replacement Executive Director (ED) to take over in September, with me 2007 Thailand lending a hand (lots of emails and phone calls) until the end of the year. So although it seems a bit early to be saying goodbye, this will be my last column. Symposium

After five years as ED it’s difficult for me to shift into the good-bye mode since I’ve greatly enjoyed this job and the IWGS members. Both have taught me many things … about aquatic plants and people. My horizons have expanded greatly and so have my Broaden your horizons, “symbolic” ponds. Some folks like to be a big fish in a small pond while others like to constantly move visit new places, see up. They prefer to jump into a bigger pond so that their knowledge base and number of contacts gets beautiful tropical bigger. This kind of pond dweller is exactly the kind of person the IWGS wants and needs. “Pond gardens, meet aquatic jumpers” like sharing their experiences and knowledge, plus they are delightful to be around plant aficionados from since they’re so interesting and informative. around the world, Through the years (while jumping ponds) I’ve learned many things about aquatic plants and water and learn from gardens. Some of the general concepts are: international experts! • Sharing information is even more fun than learning it • No pond is too small Visit www.iwgs.org for links to • No pond is too big • Nothing is more persistent than herons places we’ll tour plus other or sites to help plan your • One pond is never enough • There are only two kinds of ideas: good Thailand vacation. and great • Volunteers are shy and prefer to have The following is a correction to their arms twisted • geeks are born optimists your IWGS Annual Symposium • The best is yet to come 2007 Brochure

It has been a pleasure working with you, our Under Etiquette: knowledgeable and friendly IWGS members. It has been a privilege to meet many of you by phone, email, and in person at the Symposia. Keep sharing Thai people greet each other your information with others and above all, don’t with a Wai, (not a kai) make the new ED twist your arm before volunteering. The IWGS needs you. Vol. 22, No. 2 The Water Garden Journal Page 5

2006 After-Symposium Collecting Tour

by David Curtright

Editor’s Note: You will notice in several areas of We left there and headed to a place called Payne’s this issue that we are encouraging members to set Prairie, which is a large flooded basin. It was quite up their own after-symposium gatherings/tours. The flooded, in fact, and a stand of Nelumbo lutea, following are excerpts from an article on one of which covered several square miles, was in full these tours that took place after the 2006 bloom. The flowers were closing for the day, but Symposium in . The full article plus many the vista was a patchwork of yellow, green, and color photos will soon be posted on our website: blue that extended out of sight against a dark sky. It www.iwgs.org. was stunning. We hiked out on a trail and found the edge of the lake. A dirt road Last year, after the convention protruded into the water, in Florida, I was privileged to providing a nice ramp for us travel around the state with to walk down. There were Walter Pagels, the noted plant some horses grazing on explorer and good friend of grass (leaving the lotus the water gardening hobby alone, interestingly), but we and trade. We explored the were polite, so they were water ways and roadside only mildly annoyed at our ditches, trolling for certain intrusion. The lotus grew species of , as well right up out of the flooded as any other interesting area, and some of the aquatic plants that we might seedpods that we were able find. to reach without getting too wet were ripe enough that Our first order of business, of we could eat the seeds right course, was to attend the out of them. It was the first IWGS’s annual symposium, time that I had had an which had been going on all opportunity to eat raw lotus week, traveling from south to seeds, so I took it and found north, visiting points of them to be pleasantly nutty. interest, and finally arriving in Saggitaria lancifolia We left there and went to an Orlando for the actual area by the side of the road where you can walk out meetings. This is where I met up with Walter and over the water. We noted the plant species that were Barre Hellquist, who had been on the tour with the there, and I climbed down to the water’s edge to rest of the conventioneers. I attended four classes positively identify one. It was the largest specimens and the banquet that evening. I, of course, bought of Hydrocharis that either of us had ever seen … some books and T-shirts, met a lot of people, and had a good time overall. From Gainesville, we headed west and south toward

Tampa. We stopped at various and pools on Pagels and I rented a car, and headed out of the way, going down some logging roads to try to Orlando for a favorite place called Juniper Springs. find unsprayed, undisturbed water. We found a I would recommend it to any one. It is a large flooded area where we waded way out into the spring in the Ocala National Forest that flows knee-deep water and eventually discovered some toward Lake George. You can take a seven mile small, white Nymphaea odorata growing. Pagels canoe ride through ancient and mysterious forest. collected two of them to see if they are truly small, We saw several things blooming, including a large or just starved. I found a field of Bacopa stand of Lobelia cardinalis … amplexicaulis, mixed with Proserpinaca and

Page 6 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 22, No. 2

Ludwigia palustris, making a beautiful display in some searching, we found some ditches full of N. the sun, about a foot down in the water. We then lotus, a wild night bloomer. It was a Nymphaea, at went on to Tampa, where we visited the site of least. In one ditch Thalia geniculata grew in a Everglades Exotic Plants, a company from which I proud, erect row against some trees. We couldn’t have bought plants for years. It was founded by find an N. ampla anywhere, and were about to give Albert Greenberg, the father of the aquarium plant it up when I looked down and saw some small business in America. It is pretty run-down, but it brownish leaves among the much larger green ones. still functions. We then went to Eureka Springs I dove in and soon discovered that they had red Park, next door, which was donated to the county undersides, as compared to the green undersides of by Mr. Greenberg in 1967 for a in the N. lotus. We had found the N. ampla plants, but perpetuity. It was pretty run-down, but it is still nice just in time because of the crowding by the N. lotus. in many ways. I re-acquired Neomarica longifolia, We rescued them and their tubers, and now have a yellow “Walking .” I had gotten a piece of it in them growing in our respective tanks. Mine, along 1991 from Mr. Greenberg himself when Pagels and with my N. elegans plants, are about to bloom in I were there last. I lost it a few years ago for some my … reason, and I was glad to get it back, and from there, most especially. They have a creek full of The next morning found us in Miami. From there night blooming waterlilies, as well as some other we drove up to Palm City to visit Pat Faehnle at nice terrestrial things, including a small collection ASR. He has a very nice set up, which included of Amorphophallus spp. We several Victorias and the fattest stand of Ludwigia closed the park, after talking sedioides that I had ever seen. to the ranger about its We took up a bunch of Pat’s status, and headed for time touring his tanks, chatting Bradenton so that we could about the Symposium and the spend the night and wake up plant business … in good position to do what Of the plants that we we had to do the next day collected, I have succeeded … with virtually all of them. My On the way west, we N. elegans and N. ampla are stopped in several places about to bloom, the lessons because of the Pontederia learned about L. sedioides and Sagittaria in the have paid off as I come into ditches. We were also this season with about 25 of them, the S. lancifolia plants looking for . The apparently Rhynchospora colorata are still more or less dwarfs, dwarf Sagittaria lancifolia (formally knows as Dichromena) even though they are in my plants were widespread good soil and have been throughout the area, displaying masses of bright growing in a greenhouse, and a little Nymphoides white flowers about two feet off of the ground. that we collected along the way is growing nicely. They were often mixed with purple Pontederia Its dark leaves and tiny white flowers are a delight plants and Rhynchospora colorata (formally knows in my greenhouse. as Dichromena) producing a charming display … I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, “I do not We continued south through a driving rainstorm to travel unless I can collect.” The notion of bringing a the place that John Beckner, a noted botanist with plant back from the intruded-upon wild, where its whom we traveled in ’91, had told us about. He has chances of survival are next to nil has always had a an encyclopedic knowledge of what is in Florida, special appeal to me, and traveling with Pagels, a and he has a nearly photographic memory of what seasoned collector, through territory that is familiar he has read and seen growing around Florida. When to him or not, is always an interesting and we arrived, we didn’t see anything at first but, after educational experience, and I always look forward to any opportunity to do so. Vol. 22, No. 2 The Water Garden Journal Page 7

IWGS Happenings

UK Summer Event at RHS Wisley Cooperative Travel Before or After the Symposium Sunday—July 1, 2007 Several IWGS members are planning to extend Those considering coming should contact Roger their travel activities while in Southeast Asia. They Kings at [email protected] / 01684 310950 have made plans to either arrive a few days early or for further details. stay later in order to visit Thailand, China, or Vietnam. Grant Mitchell has even organized an Web Site Update excursion to China for those who are interested. (See page 8.) This personalized tour by an aquatic We are currently working on material to facilitate plant aficionado who thoroughly knows the areas the ability to vote by mail fax or website for the and language is an exceptional opportunity. It is yet entire membership another example of the benefits provided by the Please note some other changes: Symposium and the IWGS – networking.

• The members only section has been Many of those extending their travel would like to activated with an on line survey go with other aquatic plant lovers or botanical available to take. enthusiasts. If you are planning to spend extra time • The Thailand Symposium has updated in the region and would like some company, please information on the web site about hotels, contact the IWGS office with the dates and airfare, and speakers. location(s) you would like to visit. We’ll do our • best to match travelers with each other Excerpts from and details about the new Lotus Booklet have been added. Please send the information right away so contact with other members can be made and itineraries Keep posted for upcoming information about adjusted. If you will be staying after the Botanical Garden links, IWGS Collection Gardens, Symposium, remember to check with other and Journal articles. attendees while in Bangkok. Everyone is invited to participate with the web site. Log on to the members survey, send in articles for A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words web site, send in photos of your favorite waterlilies and water gardens, or just send in suggestions for Here is one more thing to include when packing what you would like to see on the web site. your bags for the Symposium – pictures of your water gardens and aquatic plants. Sharing Application Deadline for Executive Director information and networking is usually listed as the greatest advantage of getting together at our Anyone interested in applying for the part-time paid Symposium each year. Executive Director position should do so before As of mid-May we had registrations from seven July 15. Submit your letter of application and countries. Although we all speak “aquatic,” pictures resume to Tom Tilley at [email protected]. If you are even more effective for international have any questions about the position please contact communication. So bring plenty of extra memory Tom, who is chairing the search committee. cards for your camera, converters for your Notification of applicants will take place in August. electronic equipment, and lots of photos (printed or The successful candidate will start at the beginning digital) of your retail center or garden. Be sure to of September, with Paula assisting throughout the include those that you have questions about or need transition period until December 31. input on—design, plant identification, etc.

Page 8 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 22, No. 2

News & Notes

China Lotus Tour following 2007 Symposium Dinner in coffee shop area…western and Arranged by Grant Mitchell traditional food available, Internet, etc. July 23 – July 31, 2007 Traditional Chinese Man Ren Massage/foot massage [optional] by visually impaired practitioners. Please note: Grant Mitchell is an IWGS member and recipient of an IWGS Research Scholarship. Day 2 Morning walk to fabulous Cui Lake Park to This after-symposium tour however has no see Tai Chi, dancing, traditional singing and music, connection with the IWGS and is a personal offer to lotus, waterlilies and other flowers/plants/trees, traditional . tour from Grant Mitchell. Afternoon trip to Minorities Village to see

Grant Mitchell, an Australian native, has traveled to traditional buildings, etc. of various minority races of Yunnan set in large park. China numerous times in search of his favorite Traditional massage/foot massage [optional]. subject: lotus. Grant was the first Westerner to be th invited to attend and lecture at the 18 Annual Day 3 Bus through countryside to ‘Stone Wall’, Chinese Lotus Convention. In 2005 Grant was famous for its smelly Toufu and Strange Dragon Lake invited to join a research team at the China with various single varieties of lotus and some waterlilies Academy of Sciences in Beijing. The team is growing in the large lake. compiling a genetic map/fingerprint of all wild populations and cultivars worldwide in an effort to Day 4 Boat trip through the lotus and waterlilies protect the biodiversity of lotus and to try to answer then lunch on restaurant boat amongst the lotus. the many questions about the origin and dispersion Day 5 Bus trip to the awesome Lakes Abounding of lotus around the world. With Fish and Shrimp. Sixteen lotus-lined lakes lying

between stunning ‘Witches Hat’ mountains. In 2006 Grant was awarded a research grant by the Stay in Shaani minority village set amongst IWGS. This research grant was used to fund a trip towering Khast mountains and lotus ponds. along the “northern silk road” to the countries Night ‘show’ with acrobats, dancers, bordering the Caspian Sea in Central Asia and traditional singing and much more…. a mind boggling returning via the “southern silk road.” While on this extravaganza! trip, Grant collected samples and assessed the distribution and status of wild lotus populations. He Day 6 Boat trip on the lakes, edged by mostly also determined if there were any threats to these double white with pink and maroon splashes and double lotus populations. Currently Grant is the process of pink lotus, wild water-chestnuts, ottelia, etc. Also collecting and establishing the largest and most explore amazing limestone caves with incredible stone formations. For the average fit person it is an easy climb diverse collection of lotus in the world at his farm to awe inspiring views of mountains, lakes, farms and in southeastern Australia. villages. Swimming is good.

Grant speaks fluent Chinese and is well versed in Day 7 Wander around with jaw open and check out Chinese travel and culture. Lotus holds a special the huge lotus fields and some lotus [some bowl] magic for Grant and he would like to share this growing in pots as well as some waterlily displays. passion with others. Please contact Grant at Evening sleeper bus back to Kunming [email protected] for complete information and details. Do not delay, as space is Day 8 After breakfast and a rest, visit the Bird & limited to just ten lotus enthusiasts. Flower market for souvenirs, treasures and lunch. Visit Big Guan Park to see lotus and Itinerary waterlily displays. Massage/foot massage [optional]. Day 1 Afternoon flight [less than 2hrs] from Bangkok to Kunming ‘The City of Eternal Spring’. Book Day 9 Late morning return flight to Bangkok. into hotel. Vol. 22, No. 2 The Water Garden Journal Page 9

Grower’s Corner

by David Curtright

The Rites of Spring

I know that it will come as cold comfort to our china mark moths if you have a history of them. I friends in the southern hemisphere, but for those of have found that if I get to them early in the season, us in the north, spring has sprung. At the time of then the problems are minimal through the summer. this writing, at 35 degrees north, in a Mediterranean Of course, what to use is a concern, but moths can climate, Irises are blooming, hardy waterlilies have be controlled with bacteria, or, if you must, with begun to bloom in earnest, showing off with their Spinosad, an ingestant insecticide, which is not as early spring thrusting of lovely red leaves and fat Earth-friendly but is certainly effective. Early buds. For those of us who grow plants for a living, detection and diligent eradication are the it is a time of setting up new tanks and cleaning out watchwords in the control of moths or any other the old, moving plants from and cold pest insect. We do not have to enjoy it, but we must frames to the outside, and, as if to keep us humble, do these types of treatments if we are to stay in it is also a time of pest and . business.

Among weeds, the various algae are common With the new season, I must make more trips to the plagues. Nutrients accumulated in ponds over sand and soil yard to get soil ingredients, and I am winter cause algae to proliferate before other, again a regular at the local nurseryman’s supply higher plants can get a start, so most people house. This is when I use a lot of my soil mix to experience a bloom of some sort of algae in this repot my own stock and to repot the plants in my season. It is usually Spirogyra, with its entangling clients’ ponds. Staggering the re-pottings over strands snaking through the pond, but sometimes several weeks in large ponds spreads the fertilizer strange forms of slimy, slippery, green or brown load out over time, instead of potentially algae grow, making the pond as much a science overwhelming the pond with a large infusion of lesson as it is a water garden. Chara, Najas, and fertilizer. It also gives me a longer growing season. Nitella proliferate madly at this time of year, too, If I do it right, here in southern , I can much to my disgust. Mats of these various colonies have some number of waterlilies, even tropicals, float when they fill with oxygen, creating a messy blooming all year. appearance on the downwind side of the pond surface. Much of our maintenance time on a couple Now is also the time when all of those cuttings, of ponds is spent removing these mats. plugs, and seedlings that we started in the winter can be bumped up to larger containers. I can To alleviate our misery at the growth of unsightly proudly say this spring, that I have got Ludwigia algae, we can turn to lovely stands of lush Parrot’s sedioides to work with this year, having over- Feather, Water Cress, Water Hawthorns, and a wintered it successfully for the first time. We spend variety of low-growing plants that flourish at a good deal of time processing plants through the this time of year. Myosotis, Rotala, Ranunculus, growing facility to the sales area these days. And and Mimulus brighten the margins of many of our just in time, too, since Internet sales are riding their ponds and our Hyacinths begin to recover just in seasonal wave right now and our various pond time for orders from around the country. It is a builder and nursery clients are beginning to buy period of renewal and re-growth, and you can feel it good numbers of plants again. in the air and see it in the plants. Sometimes, as I walk through my greenhouses, I think that I hear a What ever happens in our gardens throughout the bit of Stravinsky in the back of my mind, or I find rest of the year, each year we can all be amazed myself whistling a few bars of Copeland. anew at the miracle of this annual treat called spring, with all of its rites, rebirths, and riotous This is also a good time for purveyors of waterlilies color to remind us of what a great planet this really and other plants with floating leaves to spray for is.

Page 10 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 22, No. 2

2007 IWGS Symposium in Thailand, July 16-22

Information provided by our Thai hosts, gathered by Larry Nau

As we all make our final preparations for our While attending the IWGS Thai Symposium in departures to the Thai Symposium we would like to Bangkok there will be additional competitions for provide a few more details on what you will see and us to witness and review. The first is a Thai experience as well as some last minute tips. Please hybridizer waterlily competition. This display, at remember to check the IWGS website for additional the King Rama IX Public Park, will feature existing updates regarding the Thailand Symposium. hybrids and new creations from Dr. Slearmlarp Wasuwat, Dr. Nopchai Chansilpa and Pairat Songpanich to name a few. In recent years Thai hybridizers have been strong participants in the IWGS New Waterlily Competition and have

Suvarnabhumi airport

Please note that there is a change in our schedule Betta splendens regarding the opening ceremony for the Symposium. The opening ceremony will take place th produced several awarded plants including N. on Thursday July 19 at 9:00 am presided over by ‘Mangala-Ubol’ and N. ‘Tan-Khwan’. Prof. Dr. Princess Chulaporn. We hope all Symposium attendees will attend this ceremony. It Next on display will be the private collection of is important that men wear long pants and women Japanese of HRH Princess Chulaporn. Koi wear a long skirt or pants for this event, also please keeping represents another aspect of pond keeping. no t-shirts on this day as well. Later in the day we The presence of koi in a water garden may not will be visiting the Grand Palace so the same dress always be a pleasant one but in a pond specifically code is expected here. made for them they are magnificent. Their formidable size, brilliant colors and playful Throughout Thailand, 220 volts is the power disposition add an additional element to pond source. To power your various equipment you will keeping. need a 220 – 110 power converter. These converters are readily available in Thailand department stores From the jumbo koi we experience a traditional at a reasonable cost. Thai fish show, that of the male betta, Betta splendens. There are a number of species of Bettas In Thailand in July expect warm and humid that naturally occur in the rice paddies and other weather. Every day should provide a daily shower shallow waters of Thailand. They are excellent at or brief storm. Our Thai hosts will provide eating mosquito larvae and are often used in umbrellas and fans to make our visit more container water gardens for this purpose. Over the comfortable. last several hundred years bettas have been

Vol. 22, No. 2 The Water Garden Journal Page 11

hybridized to provide a variety of fin types such as delta tails, crowntails and half moons. Today there exists a rainbow of colors that will dazzle any observer. Bright blue, red, yellows, greens and pastels provide the base for countless color combinations. Male bettas are extremely territorial and will fight and defend their territory, hence the nickname Siamese fighting fish. In traditional Asian culture, it is not uncommon to have weekly village gatherings to see who has the strongest fish.

For the last 50 years Thailand has been a major producer and innovator in the tropical fish hobby. Many varieties of fish and aquatic plants have their origin in Thailand. Another beautiful display will be Phra Singh Temple of aquariums decorated with live aquarium plants. Over the last 15 years aquatic plants have experienced rejuvenation in the aquarium hobby. A Photography exhibit of waterlilies and lotus. Most properly planted tank is truly a work of art. As we of the photographs will be provided by HRH examine these tanks you will see familiar plants that Princess Chulaporn’s husband as he has traveled cross over into our water gardens. Different throughout the Kingdom. Water plants are found varieties of Echinodorus (sword plants), Sagittaria, abundantly in the remote areas of Thailand as well Rotala, Anubias and Cryptocorynes may be used in as the parks and the markets. This exhibit will give our pondscapes and especially in our container us a chance to experience Thailand and its water gardens. This exhibit will be a first for IWGS wonders from all corners of the Kingdom. Symposium attendees and will offer some fresh ideas for our aquatic plantings. Throughout Thailand and the world, water plants serve as a source for food, fabric, medicines, Most pond keepers also have a passion for perfumes and crafts. Our last major display will photography. Our ponds provide an endless source show an array of culinary staples and treats based of subjects and compositions to photograph. Our on water plants. This is your opportunity to sample cameras capture everything from spectacular floral lotus tubers, seeds and petals in tasty dishes. Look blooms, to and the countless visitors, for unique crafts such as leis, floral arrangements such as insects, that frequent our ponds. In Thailand and apparel. Water plants are more than just a this summer we will be treated to a Royal source of beauty and inspiration but also are a staple of life for many throughout the world.

Symposiums have provided a unique opportunity for water gardeners throughout the world to meet, share ideas and discover new plants and successful techniques to grow these plants. To date we are expecting contingents of water gardeners to attend from the UK, China, Korea, Japan, Australia, the and Canada. We hope to welcome water gardeners from many other countries as well. Since this will be the most diverse Symposium in IWGS history we ask everyone to bring along pictures of their ponds, plants and businesses to show and share. It is this spontaneous flow of lotus growing in pots information and ideas that make a Symposium adventure a memory of a life time.

Page 12 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 22, No. 2

2008 Research Grant Application Guidelines

by Barre Hellquist

Submit a typewritten proposal, by mail or email, not to exceed five double-spaced typed pages including the following elements:

A) Conception and Definition of the Project

Explain the basic ideas of questions to be explored and the relationship to your immediate or long range research.

B) Significance of the Project

State the relationship of your project to the work of others in the larger context of your field. A literature review should be included, with emphasis on the significant contribution possible from your investigation.

C) Plan of Work and Methodology

Provide a brief outline for the plan of work or research design including such topics as: techniques to be used; present state of the investigations; the work to be completed; results expected; and the schedule for the key steps in the project. Each awardee will submit a three page typed summary of the study, with results, and an accounting of funds received and spent, by March 31, 2009. This summary, or a finished version, will be published in the Water Garden Journal, the official IWGS publication. Awardees may also be invited to present their findings at the annual symposium of the Society in a seminar or as a poster presentation.

D) Budget Page

This should include brief justification statements. No funds will be granted to reimburse overhead expenses or just for funds to attend the IWGS symposium.

1. It is essential that the text includes enough detail concerning the ideas, methods, and objectives of the project to enable reviewers to assess quality, significance, and feasibility. A simple statement of intent of need is insufficient evidence that a project merits support. 2. In addition to the proposal, submit a curriculum vitae (CV) including a list of previous publications and descriptions of past grant and professional activities. 3. Have one letter of recommendation sent to the Research Committee by February 15, 2008. The individual(s) providing recommendations should be familiar with the applicants record of scholarship and knowledge of the proposed project or area of research. 4. Submit four copies of the completed application (Proposal and CV) to the address below. 5. Applicants may submit applications electronically to the Chairman of the Research Awards Committee at: [email protected]

Review Process

1. Completed application packages (proposal, CV, letters) must be filed with the Research Committee by February 15, 2008. Vol. 22, No. 2 The Water Garden Journal Page 13

2. Applicants are advised that the review committee, drawn from the disciplines across the plant sciences, will appreciate proposals addressed to an audience of professionals who are interested, but not necessarily familiar, with the particular terminology or methods of your specialization field. 3. Applications will be judged using the following criteria: I. the quality of the promise of the applicant's work and likelihood the project will be completed; II. the significance of the contribution to the advancement of applied (practical) knowledge in the field of aquatic plants; and III. the conception, definition, and description of the proposed project. 4. Awards will be announced by March 30, 2008. 5. All publications and presentations resulting from work conducted under the sponsorship of these fellowships must acknowledge the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society.

Where to Submit Application and Letter of Recommendation:

Dr. C. Barre Hellquist 391 West Road Adams, MA 01220 USA 413-743-5880 [email protected]

2007 Research Grant Recipient

The International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society is pleased to announce the following 2007 winner of the Aquatic Research Grants Awards:

"Determination of Phyto-remediation Potential of Ornamental and Native Lotus species ( and Nelumbo lutea)" - Warner Orozco-Obando

Award Amount: $3,500.00

Warner Orozco-Obano is a Ph.D. student at Auburn University where he is conducting a research project titled "Research and development of Lotus as a non-traditional for the southeast United States." The IWGS funded phase of the research will incorporate the American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) and Asian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) to determine the growth and development of different lotus cultivars in constructed that treat nursery run-off, in addition to determining phytotoxicity and nutrient/ residue phyto-accumulation.

This research will allow for the study of the lotus species and cultivars as a natural filter and bio- accumulator of pesticide residue, as well as other pollutants. The lotus is also of great ornamental value and can help diversify the use of constructed wetlands making them part of the productive area for the nursery trade. The use of the various cultivars may help nurserymen to incorporate constructed wetlands into an area for the development and growth of new cultivars, while still maintaining an area for treatment of run-off products.

Page 14 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 22, No. 2

In Memoriam

by Charles Thomas

Philip Swindells was one of very few internationally recognized water garden authors when IWGS formed in 1984. For this reason, he was invited to give a keynote presentation at our premier symposium the following year. Philip graciously accepted the invitation and many more thereafter. He also served as Journal Editor, Registrar, and Coordinator for our initial annual meeting held outside of the US. Philip Swindells While we water gardeners think of Philip in terms of our aquatic world, his expertise extended throughout . Indeed, in the UK he was best known as host of BBC gardening programs on radio and TV. His formal gardening training began at the University of Cambridge Botanical Garden. After working at Perry’s Hardy Plant Farm, he became Curator of the Royal Botanic Garden Harlow Carr in northern England. Later he established an international horticultural consultation business with special focus on developing royal gardens in the Middle East. Philip’s ability was recognized by winning prestigious fellowships such as: Churchill Fellowship to study botanic gardens in Germany and Scandinavia; Nuffield Scholarship to study USA Dept. of horticultural training coast to coast and in Hawaii; Mary Helliar Scholarship (International Plant Propagators’ Society) to study in-vitro aquatic plant reproduction in Czechoslovakia; and Soviet Academy of Sciences Fellowship to study botanical gardens and their public role (under communist doctrine) in Russia, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

Philip was inducted into the IWGS Hall of Fame in 1994. One of Philip's outstanding accomplishments was to persuade a publisher to make a facsimile printing of the rare 1905 Henry S. Conard monograph The Waterlilies*, considered by many to be the foundation reference for the study of the Genus Nymphaea.

All the while, Philip was writing numerous articles and 59 books. Various parts of his outstanding works have been translated into 24 languages. More recently, he divided his time between Europe and Australia when he managed gardening web sites including the popular GardenMessenger Yahoo group. Vol. 22, No. 2 The Water Garden Journal Page 15

In Memoriam

by Jim and Elaine Lawrie

To all who knew her, Hildreth Morton was the personification of industry, thrift, intelligence and hard work. That was demonstrated by how Hildreth obtained her first greenhouse. Husband Jim was hard at work establishing his legal practice and financial resources were scant. Hildreth wanted a greenhouse on their farm. The farm had been Hildreth Morton purchased with a valuable tobacco . The allotment (as I recall) allowed for five acres of production. She and one male black field hand plowed, planted, cut stripped and hung the tobacco in the barn to age. The work was grueling but the sale of the tobacco paid for her first greenhouse. The output of that first greenhouse provided the funds for the further five or six houses that followed with time.

I think all of us who knew Hildreth will remember her as a feisty, straight talking, hard working (5 am daily until dark, seven days a week) lady who could cuss with the best, enjoyed fine drink, good music, and the arts. Make no mistake—she was cultured and a lady. She exuded honesty and heartfelt caring for others.

The latter part of her character is exemplified by the story of the house fire. Not too long after she and her husband had built their home on the acreage, they came home one evening from an outing to find the home ablaze. It would be months before it would again be habitable. The Morton family was taken in by a local farm family until their house was rebuilt. Years later, the farmer who was by then retired, and was a widower with no family left to care for him, was taken into Hildreth’s home and cared for by her for the final two years of his life.

As I think of her I’m reminded of the saying: “They don’t make them like that anymore.” I’m also thankful she didn’t suffer at the end of her eventful and long life. I’m sure she wanted to go as the Texans would say, “With her boots on,” and she did. It came as no surprise that she wanted to be cremated. She was a “no-fuss” lady and she’ll always be remembered as a sparkling jewel in the lives of those of us who knew her.

Page 16 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 22, No. 2

THE WATER GARDEN JOURNAL Volume 22 Number 2

EDITOR FRED MCCORKLE EDITORIAL BOARD JAMES ALLISON PAULA BILES BARRE HELLQUIST WALTER PAGELS DISTRIBUTION PAULA BILES

The Official Publication of the Front Cover Photo: INTERNATIONAL WATERLILY AND WATER GARDENING SOCIETY Cover illustration is an artistic rendition from photos OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY taken by Grant Mitchell. See page 8 for information on Grant’s China tour. PRESIDENT TOM TILLEY VICE PRESIDENT ROLF NELSON ND 2 VICE PRESIDENT TISH FOLSOM TREASURER TISH FOLSOM Mission Statement—The International Waterlily & SECRETARY ROBERT BURNS Water Gardening Society (IWGS), is a non-profit EXEC. DIRECTOR PAULA BILES organization of multinational membership dedicated to

BOARD OF DIRECTORS the furtherance of all aspects of water gardens and their Stephen Blessing, Rowena Burns associated plants. As an organization we support and Cathy Green, Larry Nau, Suzan Phillips promote education, research, and conservation in these Jim Purcell, Stuart Schuck areas. Dael Wright, Charles Thomas

Volume 22, Number 2. The IWGS Water Garden www.iwgs.org Journal (ISSN 1069-5982) is published quarterly by The International Waterlily and Water Gardening REGISTRARS th Nymphaea Registration Society (The Society), 6828 26 St W, Bradenton, FL Jim Purcell – [email protected] 34027, USA Voice & Fax 941-756-0880, Email Verena Liechti – [email protected] [email protected] All rights reserved. © 2007. The Water Nelumbo Registration Garden Journal is indexed in EBSCO’s Garden, Hayes – vahayes@.org Landscape & Horticulture Literature Index.

ADMINISTRATIVE ADDRESS and SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Bulk rate postage paid at Bradenton FL, USA and additional mailing offices. Basic subscription/ International Waterlily membership rate for one full year is $30. Further and Water Gardening Society details and back issues are available from the th 6828 26 St W., Bradenton, FL 34207, USA administrative office in FL. All changes of address and

Voice & Fax 941-756-0880 incidents of non-arrival of journals should be notified M-F 9am-1pm EST to the office in FL. Opinions expressed by authors and [email protected] any products reviewed are not specifically endorsed by The Society, nor does The Society accept any liability EDITORIAL ADDRESS arising from the contents of this journal.

Fred McCorkle IWGS Water Garden Journal P. O. Box 7554, North Port, FL 34287 USA

941-423-1836 [email protected]