Hybridizing Waterlilies: State of the Art

by Richard Sacher was conceived as a tribute to the memory of Perry D. Slocum. Richard Sacher (a prolific and award-winning hybridizer) surveyed ten Nymphaea hybridizers, including serious hobbyists and professional growers. In this booklet he combines his own knowledge with their “experiences, discoveries, and practical advice.”

As Sacher writes in his introduction, “Our combined work adds up to more than one hundred years of trial and error, success and failure, and most importantly, accumulated wisdom. I am presenting this information in straightforward language so that anyone interested in hybridizing waterlilies can use it, regardless of having or not having a formal background in botany or horticulture.”

Special thanks go to Richard Sacher and all the IWGS members who made this project a reality. Since this publication was underwritten by memorial donations, we’d like to also thank those who honored someone whom they loved and/or respected. This much-needed publication is the perfect way to remember Pam Bennett, William Frase, Clyde Ikins, John Mirgon, Randal Oshima, Maggie Belle Slocum, and Perry Slocum. Hybridizing Waterlilies will increase water gardening knowledge, something they all worked hard to accomplish.

One copy was provided free to each IWGS member. Since one of the Society’s goals is to promote education about waterlilies, Hybridizing Waterlilies can be purchased (pdf) individually, as well as in quantity for resale or distribution.