Every year, aquatic plant enthusiasts from all over the world eagerly await the opening of the international waterlily and lotus competition organized in Italy by Gianluca Bonomo of piantedacqua.it since 2021. This event, which takes place online, offers an extraordinary showcase of the beauty and diversity of these fascinating plants, allowing breeders, experts, and simple lovers of greenery to share their passion.
For lazy people here you can watch YouTube video about IWC: IWC Video YouTube
How does the competition work?
The IWC (International Waterplants Contest) is divided into three different categories: hardy waterlilies, hardy ISG waterlilies, and lotus. The plants are photographed during their growth, and the images are published on the competition website. This allows judges and the public to observe the development of the plants over time. The photos are accompanied by the date of the shot, an important detail for evaluating the growth and quality of the plants.
Who are the judges?
The competition jury is composed of three categories:
- Experts: professionals in the sector, members of international groups and in-depth connoisseurs of aquatic plants.
- Breeders: those who create new varieties of waterlilies and lotus, key figures in assessing the quality of the plants.
- Aquatic plant lovers: enthusiasts from all over the world who can express their preference.
This varied composition of the jury guarantees a complete and objective evaluation of the plants in competition.
Why participate in or follow the competition?
The IWC competition is a unique opportunity to:
- Admire the beauty: the images of the waterlilies and lotus in competition offer an extraordinary spectacle of colors and shapes.
- Discover new varieties: the competition presents new hybridizations, offering a glimpse into the latest trends in the world of aquatic plants.
- Connect with a community of enthusiasts: the competition creates a virtual meeting point for people who share a passion for waterlilies and lotus.
- Learn: observing the plants in competition and reading the judges’ comments can be an excellent opportunity to deepen one’s knowledge of these plants.
How to participate as a judge?
If you are interested in becoming a judge, you can send an email to iwc@waterplants.it with the subject “Apply for IWC judge,” including a brief presentation of yourself and the reasons why you would like to participate.
Stay updated!
To follow the competition and stay updated on the latest news, visit the Waterplants.it website (international version of piantedacqua.it) in the section dedicated to the competition: www.waterplants.it/contest. You can also follow our social media channels on YouTube, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram searching for piantedacqua.it Gianluca Bonomo.
A close look at the queens of the water: the winning varieties
After celebrating the beauty and importance of the IWC competition, the time has come to admire up close the true protagonists: the waterlilies and lotuses that have reached the podium in the various editions. Each variety is a living work of art, the result of years of selection and hybridization, and embodies a story of passion and dedication to natural beauty.
A journey through the editions:
We will now embark on a fascinating journey through the 2024, 2022 and 2021 editions of the competition, to discover the varieties that have distinguished themselves for their uniqueness and splendor.
2024 Edition:
Hardy Waterlilies:
- N.”Rattana”, Pornchai Sukkasemramranjit, Thailand
- N.”Snow Lady”, Jakkaphong Sung-Ngam, Thailand
- N.”Izia”, Florian Henaux, France
Hardy ISG Waterlilies:
- N.”Shambala”, Florian Henaux, France
- N.”Shiva”, Florian Henaux, France
- N.”One Purple”, Pornchai Sukkasemramranjit, Thailand
Lotus:
- N.”Longxing Jinyu”, Jialong Wei, China
- N. “Wuyue Xianzi”, Jialong Wei, China
- N. “Empress Ehuang and Nvying”, Yuesheng Ding, China
2022 Edition:
Hardy Waterlilies:
- N.”Gerard Malinvaud”, Florian Henaux, France
- N.”Phuttakoon”, Potianee Tongbai, Thailand
- N.”Loving You”, Jakkaphong Sung-Ngam, Thailand
Hardy ISG Waterlilies:
- N.”Nancy Noiret”, Florian Henaux, France
- N.”Pink Kunzite”, Jakkaphong Sung-Ngam, Thailand
- N.”Cyprus Violet Star”, Andreas Protopapas, Cyprus
Lotus:
- N.”Linting Chun’Ai”, Weihua Lu, China
- N. “Foshou Nianhua”, Weihua Lu, China
- N. “Nabucco”, Gianluca Bonomo, Italy
2021 Edition:
Hardy Waterlilies:
- N.”Tummaruksa”, Jakkaphong Sung-Ngam, Thailand
- N.”Aai”, Timo Gabriel, Germany
- N.”Zebra”, Marek Miazek, Poland
Hardy ISG Waterlilies:
- N.”Alain Henaux”, Florian Henaux, France
- N.”Aria”, Zijun Li, China
- N.”Pink Tourmaline”, Pairote Tongnum, Thailand
Lotus:
- N.”Golden Chrysanthemum of Nanjing”, Yuesheng Ding, China
- N. “Storm 13”, Yuesheng Ding, China
- N. unnamed, Gianluca Bonomo, Italy
IWGS NEW WATERLILY COMPETITIONS
The International Water Gardening Society (IWGS) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the cultivation of aquatic plants, including water lilies and lotus flowers. Each year, the IWGS organizes an international competition to award the best new varieties of these plants. The competition is open to hybridizers from all over the world, and the plants are judged by industry experts based on various criteria, including flower beauty, plant shape, and disease resistance.
The IWGS competition is another important event for the aquatic plant industry and contributes to promoting innovation and research in this field. The winning varieties of the competition are often highly appreciated by growers and collectors worldwide.
For more information about the IWGS competition, you can visit the IWGS contest page: https://iwgs.org/new-waterlily-competition/
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