美国木槿属协会 American Hibiscus Society – 行业自律与服务组织

协会简介

美国木槿属协会（American Hibiscus Society，简称AHS）是规模较大的专业植物协会之一，致力于促进木槿属植物的开发与改良，收集并传播相关知识信息。协会为非营利组织，总部位于佛罗里达州。协会成员主要是业余园艺爱好者，遍布美国40个州和45个国家/地区。澳大利亚木槿协会（Hibiscus Society of Queensland）以及英属维尔京群岛和美属维尔京群岛的分会均已加入AHS。会员每年缴纳25美元即可获得一年的会籍，并获赠季度刊物《The Seed Pod》。

地方分会与活动

AHS在美国多个地区设有地方分会，包括佛罗里达州各地、德克萨斯州、路易斯安那州以及维尔京群岛。分会每月召开会议，讨论嫁接、杂交、修剪、施肥、评审和展览等议题。未能参加分会的”独立会员”可通过全国性会议、大会和其他活动参与协会事务。各分会每年通常在周日举办展览，展示数百种不同品种的木槿。业余爱好者即使只种植了几株植物，也能与拥有数千品种的商业种植者同台竞技。公众也可报名参赛，作品需在上午11:30前提交评审。

出版物与种子银行

协会出版多种木槿养护书籍，涵盖嫁接、杂交等各方面知识，其中最重要的是《The Hibiscus Handbook》。协会还设有种子银行（Seed Bank），会员可向种子银行捐赠种子，种子将分发给任何希望种植新品种的人士。AHS维护着完善的品种命名系统（nomenclature），提供线上查询，并出版《Combined Show and Judging Rules and Judges Nomenclature》等标准文献。

年度之花评选

AHS每年评选”年度之花”（Show of the Year，SOTY），这是协会的最高荣誉之一。各分会选送的获奖作品将角逐这一称号。协会还举办国家大会（National Convention），会员可在会上交流经验、展示作品并参与各类评选活动。入会申请可通过协会官网提交。

官方网站：https://americanhibiscus.org/

About the American Hibiscus Society

The American Hibiscus Society (AHS) is one of the larger specialized plant societies, dedicated to encouraging and promoting the development and improvement of hibiscus while collecting and disseminating information about the genus. A non-profit organization headquartered in Florida, the AHS serves amateur gardeners across 40 US states and 45 foreign countries. The Australian Hibiscus Society and the Hibiscus Society of Queensland are affiliated chapters, along with branches in the US and British Virgin Islands. Annual membership costs US$25.00 and includes the quarterly publication “The Seed Pod.”

Chapters and Events

AHS chapters are located throughout Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and the Virgin Islands. Chapters hold monthly meetings to discuss hybridizing, pruning, fertilizing, judging, and exhibiting. Members at large who do not belong to local chapters participate through national meetings, conventions, and other functions. Each chapter typically sponsors an annual show on a Sunday, where growers from a wide area display hundreds of varieties. Even amateur gardeners with just a few plants compete alongside commercial growers with thousands of varieties. Entries must be submitted to judges before 11:30 AM, and the general public is welcome to participate.

Publications and Seed Bank

The AHS publishes multiple books covering all aspects of hibiscus culture, including grafting and hybridizing, most notably The Hibiscus Handbook. The society maintains a Seed Bank where members donate seeds for distribution to anyone wishing to grow new varieties. The AHS also maintains a comprehensive nomenclature system available online, and publishes the “Combined Show and Judging Rules and Judges Nomenclature” for competition standards.

Show of the Year

Each year, the AHS awards the “Show of the Year” (SOTY)—one of the society’s highest honors. Chapter winners compete for this prestigious title. The society also hosts an annual National Convention where members exchange experiences, showcase specimens, and participate in various competitions. Membership applications can be submitted through the official website.

Website: https://americanhibiscus.org/