Archive of WGI Email Newsletters
2008
For the current newsletter, join
now! It's free!
|
WGI Update sent to
members November 10, 2008
Links are open to WGI ONLINE
Journal Volume 3, Number 4
Each issue, we wonder how we can top previous ones, and somehow
we do. The achievements of our contributors are just awesome,
and their sharing with all of us is even more so. Though we usually
hit the highlights of new Journals in our updates, this time
we want to mention every article.
Our cover "cluster" of stories is by Daike Tian, brand
new PhD from China, who studies at Auburn University in the USA.
Daike presents, previously unpublished, a review of literature
of the Uses of Lotus. You will be especially interested in information
about effects discovered in Chinese medicine. His thesis, Container
Production and Post-harvest Handling of Lotus (Nelumbo) and Micropropagation
of Herbaceous Peony (Paeonia), is linked and his experiments
and lovely photos are featured.
A new WGI member from Romania recently asked us what we know
about Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis, which grows in thermal springs
there. "Not much," was our answer. Not a water gardener
herself but with interest sparked by a visit to the habitat,
Ana Veler presents the most research and information available
anywhere from any source. Though probably incomplete, Ana and
WGI invite input and discussion of her article that may lead
to greater knowledge of this interesting relic.
It wasn't so long ago that hybrids between the waterlily subgenera
were thought "impossible". Now two of our leading hybridizers,
at opposite ends of the world, have unlocked the mysteries of
creating these intersubgenerics, with spectacular results!
Carlos Magdalena at RBG Kew, UK, is routinely making hybrids
of subgenus Anecphya and subgenus Brachyceras. See the newest,
including a striking cross that is nearly white with maroon stamens.
Creator of the world's first blue hardy waterlily, Pairat Songpanich
of Thailand, unveils the siblings resulting from that same cross.
N. 'Siam Pink', if this can be imagined, may be an even greater
achievement than 'Siam Blue Hardy'!
Li Shu-Juan at Xi'an Botanical Garden may have produced the largest
Victoria pads ever grown in China. What do you think? She shares
her cultivations techniques in text and pictures.
Koi expert Pam Spindola presents the first in a series about
the development of koi and koi varieties, designed for the beginner
koi enthusiast. She says, "Not all koi are created equal!"
If koi are in your pond now or in your future, don't miss this.
Well-known author Steve Stroupe makes his debut with WGI Online.
He writes about the status of a native southeastern US spider
lily with his usual depth and -- shall we say -- characteristic
irreverent wit :>) His daughter's reward for posing with a
stand of cahaba lilies may surprise you.
Always a favorite contributor, Rich Sacher explores possible
causes and results of fasciation, "witch's broom",
in tropical waterlilies. See this strange growth type and what
Rich does with it.
Pat Clifford in Scotland sheds a tear or two writing about the
end of his aquatic season at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Can you figure out what is different in his 2007 and 2008 Victorias?
Who knew that St. Paul, Minnesota USA, has a garden and zoo with
an amazing Victorian-style glasshouse and returns an extensive
outdoor collection of Victorias to its display? Soni Forsman
takes us there.
Alexis America, Hawaii USA, has a rare talent for watercolor
and we are very lucky that she chooses waterlilies and lotuses
as her subjects. Her gallery illustrates how she builds her paintings
light to dark with luminous results.
Anchoring this issue, Dave Brigante takes us to three eye-popping
public gardens in Portland, Oregon USA. Tranquility, majesty,
artistry, and water everywhere. Can you pick a favorite?
Again, the link to all these extraordinary articles is --
WGI ONLINE Journal Volume
3, Number 4
Tell your story! We welcome contributions and suggestions from
all of you!
To waterlily hybridizers, deadline for inclusion in the 2008
Supplement to the WGI Register is December 10. We start work
on it this week so, if you can get your forms and images in early,
please do so!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members October 10, 2008
Correcting our September Update, the deadline for inclusion
in the 2008 Supplement to the WGI
Waterlily Register and Checklist is December 10, a month
later than previously announced. We want to include everyone's
new cultivars so gather your pictures and measurements!
The reason for this change is that publication date of the next
WGI Online is November 10 and
we'd like some space between deadlines :>) The issue is shaping
up to be an exciting one, with fascinating research about lotuses,
almost incredible new intersubgeneric waterlily hybrids, and
an ancient aquatic relic in Romania, to name a few topics.
In the meantime, read every page of WGI Online 3.3 that you might have missed
and don't forget we have an index
to all Journal articles.
Over on Victoria-Adventure
find several stunning new galleries and profiles including the
legendary Norman Bennett, updated waterlily galleries and names,
improved navigation in the Victoria image section, and a list
with links of all waterlily competition results we can find.
If you have suggestions for articles, news, events for the calendar,
club and garden profiles, and ideas for improvements we can make,
please send them!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members September 10, 2008
The cover story of WGI Online 3.3 has sparked even more
interest in the miniature tropical waterlily species, N. minuta
and the Australian N. nouchali.
By way of our email
discussion list Walter Pagels has made seeds of N. minuta
available to those interested in growing it. He and several other
list members are making regular reports of seedling growth in
text and images. We hope to have this step-by-step tutorial on
the web site in the near future.
You'll also find many other fantastic articles, images and profiles
in this issue of WGI Online!
This is the time for you to assemble pictures and measurements
of your new waterlilies for inclusion in our 2008 Supplement
to the WGI Register and Checklist as well as on line. This
link will take you the Registry main page. Deadline for inclusion
is November 10.
Though tropical weather events have limited the time available
for our usual output of new material on the web sites, look for
several new galleries and profiles in Recent
Additions, and look around the sites for pages you may have
missed! There are so many even your webmaster forgets what's
there!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members August 10, 2008
We begin this update quoting Rich Sacher from WGI Online 3.1:
"Will (Nymphaea) minuta be the parent we
have been looking for in our quest for dwarf tropical lilies?
We don't ask for much … just lots of flowers … with
lots of petals … in many different colors … and nicely
variegated leaves … on a small plant that is easy to grow.
Wouldn't it be great if all these big dreams come true because
of an ordinary little lily called minuta?"
Links to WGI Online
3.3 are now open! Our cover story offers an in
depth look at the miniature tropical waterlily species, N.
minuta and the Australian N. nouchali. Where do they
come from? How do you grow them? Where do they take us? Leading
experts contribute to this definitive assemblage of articles.
AND THEN! How about Australian-type flowers on plants you can
grow in a teacup? Astounding first generation hybrids round out
the "cluster" of cover stories. Also in this issue,
find a variety of fabulous articles and images from around the
world plus two new profiles.
We would like to build on our marginal
plants section so have a request! We'd like each of you to
select your favorite marginal plant and send us a little profile
of it. Include your location, why you like it, how you grow it,
and a picture or two. This doesn't need to be at all professional
or polished -- send us the information and we'll do the rest!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members July 10, 2008
Dr. Kirk Strawn passed away June 9, 2008, in Deland, Florida
USA. He was 86. "Legendary" doesn't begin to describe
Kirk. "Revolutionary" comes close in his accomplishments
in hardy waterlily hybridization. See his profile HERE
and James Knock's breathtaking tribute to his hybrids HERE.
Our membership now approaches 1,850 individuals, botanical gardens
and clubs in 70 countries! Help us reach 2,000 before our third
birthday by sending this link to friends --
http://www.watergardenersinternational.org/join.html
If you want to check out the membership list (recently divided
again for shorter download) use your usual codes to access it
via Members Exclusive.
The next WGI Online is in the works! While we get it ready, you
can review every outstanding issue from the Journal
Archive or view the Index
of Articles by Subject.
For those in the northern hemisphere, PLEASE photograph your
gardens and plants while they are at their summer best for inclusion
on the web sites, in galleries or features. In the southern hemisphere,
stay warm and think of the articles and photos you can share
with us when we are cold!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members June 5, 2008
The cover story of our newest WGI
Online Journal, in which Pairat Songpanich, Thailand, introduces
Nymphaea 'Siam Blue Hardy' has, as expected, has rocked the waterlily
world. If somehow you missed it, or any of the other terrific
articles, CLICK HERE.
In May, the combined Victoria-Adventure and WGI web sites eclipsed
all previous statistics, receiving more than one and one half
million hits, more than 500,000 pageviews and more than 100,000
user sessions. Especially for those who have been with us from
the beginning, who would ever have expected we could grow like
this? Congratulations and thanks to all our contributors and
readers for making us the premier water gardening site on the
web.
For the newest articles, CLICK
HERE.
We are already building the next Journal issue -- if you have
an article for it or an idea for one, please send it! To whet
your appetite, the cover story will explore the miniature tropicals
and where they may take us!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members May 10, 2008
We are sending this update and opening links to the new
WGI Online Journal earlier than usual because we have
news that can't wait!
In our cover story, Pairat Songpanich, Thailand, introduces Nymphaea
'Siam Blue Hardy', the world's first blue hardy waterlily. Our
congratulations to Pairat on this monumental achievement!
http://www.watergardenersinternational.org/journal/3-2/cover.html
The entire issue is full of great information and dazzling images
-- some humor too. Don't miss a single page.
Over on Victoria-Adventure, find the long-awaited History of
Hybrid Waterlilies Part 2 - The French and the Americans, as
well as gallery updates and other new articles.
http://www.victoria-adventure.org/recent_additions.html
Send us your comments, suggestions and ideas!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members April 10, 2008
Every year since we began building the web sites, Werner Wallner
has sent us a large collection of waterlily, lotus and marginal
plant images from his extraordinary nursery in Bavaria. He is
probably the single greatest contributor of images, especially
of aquatic, marginal and moisture loving plants, to our galleries.
As we add this year's photos to the sites, here is a page of
some of our favorites -- "Bouquet
from Bavaria"
Thanks to Werner and to Li ShuJuan from China, we have tripled
the number of images in the Lotus
Cultivar Galleries and all these are now linked from Lotus
Names.
Spring is upon us in the northern hemisphere and many of you
are considering your new plants for 2008. Be sure to start with
our Truly
Named Members. Even though our members certify only waterlilies
through the WGI program, they are equally as careful with the
identity of all the plants they offer.
If you are thinking about new or refitted ponds, consult Joel
Police's excellent series for Beginners
(even the experienced can learn from these articles). Also take
heed of David Curtright's thoughts on Pond
Safety.
With the next Journal in the works, please review WGI
ONLINE Journal Volume 3, Number 1
in case you missed any of it. Several articles will have sequels
in 3.2. For all previous Journals see the Archive.
We find the quality and variety of articles and images in just
over two years astounding!
Write us with your suggestions and ideas!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members March 10, 2008
We welcome two new Truly Named Certifying Members, Springtime
Nursery and Rosepond
Aquatics. In your search for new plants, start with all our
Truly Named members.
They offer a wide variety of choices and, best of all, you will
get what you order!
Don't miss a page of WGI
ONLINE Journal Volume 3, Number 1! Mérida, Yucatán,
México's Aquaparque headlines, and you'll find a wide
variety of other topics in the issue. Plus lots of pretty pictures!
WGI has a new and interesting member, the International Pond Contractors Association.
Author of our excellent series for Beginner Water Gardeners Joel
Police is in the process of formulating a proposal for IPPCA
establishing standards for the industry. To contribute your thoughts,
write Joel at finsandflowers@comcast.net
with Industry Standards in the subject line. You don't have to
be a pond professional to provide your input. Tell Joel the good
and bad you've experienced with ponds!
Over on Victoria-Adventure, we have a terrific new profile of
Pablo
Maccor and Soledad Dethiou, Argentina, and their nursery
Panambi. Check in on aquatic nurseryman Jack
Wood and the rattlesnake (fish and waterlilies too) and Pam
Spindola's tour of the Getty
Villa in California USA.
We have finally put up our personal Adventure
with Victoria 2007 -- a weird year -- though it is ongoing.
We have a little V. 'Adventure' flower open right now on a fall-installed
plant. Our favorite Victoria images from 2007 are linked.
Are we doing a good job for you? Can we improve? Write us! And
send us your story ideas for upcoming Journals!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
|
WGI Update sent to
members February 10, 2008
It's ready! Links to WGI ONLINE Journal Volume 3, Number 1
are open! Our cover story is Mérida, Yucatán, México's
dazzling new Aquaparque, the first public park in México
dedicated to water plants. You'll find Fernando Molina's terrific
account in English and Spanish.
From our varied array of articles, here is a key word from each
-- impossible, Zuk, reciprocal, elastomer, raingarden, truly,
koi, adventure, bankruptcy, bugs, diary, sunken, lusty, celebrate.
Whatever your special interest, one of our outstanding contributors
has written about it!
In other news, Lilypons
Water Gardens offers Nymphaea 'Pink Ribbon' retail
for 2008 with $10 of every plant sold donated to The Susan G.
Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Reserve your plant now! If somehow
you have missed the story of 'Pink Ribbon' and how it was named
click
here.
Two outstanding growers have joined Truly Named Certifying
Members, Lone
Star Aquatic Nursery
and Utopia
Aquatic. Begin the search for your 2008 plants with all our
Truly
Named members. They are the best in the world!
We congratulate the Colorado Water Garden Society, the first
such society in the world and WGI founding member, on its Silver
Anniversary! See the Message from Editor-in-Chief Charles B.
Thomas in the new Journal for more.
Upcoming on Victoria-Adventure is our personal Adventure with
Victoria 2007 -- a weird year -- with observations, experiments
and many new pix! Check for its upload in Recent
Additions.
Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome -- write us!
K
Kit Knotts
Executive Director |
Newsletters 2006 |
2007 | 2009
| 2010
Home | Site
Map
| Gateway
to Water Gardening
info@watergardenersinternational.org
 Water Gardeners International
2211
S. Atlantic Av
Cocoa Beach FL 32931 USA |
|
Newsletters