Buzz
The lotus flower is a sacred symbol for followers of Buddhism and Hinduism and is also the national flower of India. This resilient aquatic plant originates from South Asia and Australia, but it can thrive in almost any temperate climate, given the right conditions. Lotus flowers can be grown from seeds or tubers, although lotus plants grown from seeds usually won't bloom in the first year.
Steps
Growing Lotus from Seeds
Use a nail file to scrape the seed. Gently scrape the hard outer shell of the seed with a metal nail file, revealing the creamy core inside. Be careful not to file into the core, as this can prevent the seed from germinating. Scrape enough of the seed's outer shell so that water can reach the inner core.
- If you don't have a metal nail file, you can use a sharp knife, or even rub the seed against a concrete surface, being careful not to scrape too much of the seed's outer shell.
Soak the seeds in warm water. Place the lotus seeds in a transparent container, such as a glass cup, so you can observe the seeds beginning to sprout. Use dechlorinated water at a temperature of 24-27°C.
- After soaking for a day, the seeds will sink to the bottom and swell to nearly twice their original size. Seeds that float are unlikely to sprout, so discard them to prevent water contamination.
- Change the water daily, even after the seeds start sprouting. Be cautious when removing the seedlings as they are very fragile and can break easily.
Fill a pot with soil, about 10-20 liters in volume. This size is sufficient to allow the young lotus plants to grow comfortably. A black plastic bucket is ideal for retaining heat, providing better growth for the seedlings.
- The best soil mixture for growing lotus plants consists of two parts clay and one part river sand. If you use a pre-mixed soil intended for container plants, the soil may float when you place the pot in water.
- Ensure that the pot does not have drainage holes, as lotus plants can send roots through the holes and may not thrive.
Remove the seedlings from the water once they have grown to about 15 cm. The lotus seeds will begin to sprout after soaking for 4-5 days. However, transplanting them too early can harm the plants.
- If the seedlings are soaked for too long, they will begin to grow leaves. At this stage, you can still transplant them—just be careful not to let the leaves touch the soil.
Press the sprouted lotus seeds into the soil, spacing each seed about 10 cm apart. There is no need to bury the seeds completely in the soil; simply place the seeds on the soil surface and lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil to secure them. The seeds will root naturally.
- You can use a small amount of clay to form a weight beneath each seed to keep it submerged. If the seeds are not properly secured, they may float to the surface when the pot is placed in water.
Place the pot into a pond. Lotus plants are aquatic, so the water level above the soil should be at least 5-10 cm deep. For taller lotus varieties, the water can be as deep as 45 cm, while mini lotus plants require a water depth of 5-30 cm.
- The minimum water temperature for growing lotus plants is 21°C. In cooler climates, a shallower water level may help keep the plants warmer.
- Lotus flowers grown from seeds rarely bloom in the first year. It is advisable to limit fertilization during the first year and allow the plants to acclimate to their environment.
Growing lotus from rhizomes
Purchase lotus rhizomes at the beginning of spring. You can buy lotus rhizomes from nurseries, garden centers, or online. Due to shipping difficulties, rhizomes are typically unavailable once they wake up from dormancy in late spring. However, local-grown rhizomes are often available for purchase.
- For rarer hybrid varieties, you might need to buy them online. If there is a local aquatic plant society or group, consider reaching out to them for recommendations. Some aquatic plant societies also sell plants.
Place the lotus rhizomes in a bowl of water with a temperature of 21-31°C. Gently place the rhizomes on the water's surface. Set the bowl on a warm windowsill with indirect sunlight, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight.
- If you plan to transfer the lotus to a pond later, it is advisable to use pond water for soaking the rhizomes (if the water is warm enough). Change the water every 3-7 days or when the water becomes murky.
Select a round pot with a diameter of 90-120 cm. If allowed to grow freely, the lotus will take up the entire planting area. A pot will contain the lotus, preventing it from spreading throughout the pond.
- A deep pot will restrict the lotus's spread and prevent it from overtaking the pond. A round pot ensures the plant does not get stuck in corners, which could hinder its growth or even cause it to die.
Fill the pot with firm soil. The ideal soil for growing lotus consists of a mix of 60% clay and 40% river sand. Fill the pot so that the soil surface is about 7.5 to 10 cm below the pot's rim.
- You can also use amended soil with a loose sand layer about 5-7.5 cm thick on top. Be sure to leave enough space from the soil surface to the top edge of the pot.
Press the lotus bulb gently into the top layer of soil. Carefully press the lotus bulb into the sand, then gently place a stone on top to ensure the bulb doesn't float above the water before it begins rooting.
- Do not bury the entire lotus bulb in the soil as it may rot. Make sure to only lightly press the bulb into the surface of the soil.
Place the pot into the pond, about 15-30 cm below the water's surface. Choose a sunny spot, avoid areas with flowing water, and ensure there is enough space for the plant to grow. Once the lotus plant is stable, you can place it in the selected spot.
- When placed in the pond, the lotus will naturally anchor itself by reaching down into the soil and beginning to grow roots.
Caring for the lotus plant
Maintain a minimum water temperature of 21°C. The lotus will start growing vigorously once the water reaches this temperature. The plant thrives best in warm water, and ideally, the air temperature should also be at least 21°C.
- The lotus will begin to produce leaves after a few days in water with a temperature above 21°C, and flowers will bloom in 3-4 weeks when the water temperature exceeds 27°C.
- Check the water temperature every two days. If you live in a colder climate, you may need to use a water heater to maintain the proper temperature.
Grow the lotus under direct sunlight. The lotus thrives best with 5-6 hours of full sunlight each day. If the pond is partially shaded, consider trimming or removing plants that block sunlight from reaching the water.
- In North America, the lotus blooms from mid-July to early August. The flowers open in the early morning and close by mid-afternoon. The flowers last 3-5 days before falling off. This cycle repeats throughout the growing season.
Trim the fading flowers and any yellowed or damaged leaves. If the lotus plant starts to overtake the pond, you can trim off the new shoots, but keep in mind that they will regrow until you transplant the lotus into a new pot in the spring.
- Never cut flowers or leaf stems below the water's surface. The roots and lotus bulbs obtain oxygen through the leaf stems.
Use compressed fertilizer tablets for aquatic plants to provide nourishment for the lotus. These fertilizers are specially formulated for aquatic plants. Wait until the lotus bulb produces 6 leaves before fertilizing, and be sure not to place the fertilizer tablets directly on the bulb.
- Smaller lotus varieties require just 2 tablets, while larger varieties need up to 4. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks, stopping by mid-July. Continuing to fertilize after this time will prevent the lotus from preparing for dormancy.
- If you're growing a lotus from seed, avoid fertilizing in the first year.
Be vigilant about pests. Although the specific pests vary by region, lotus leaves are often targeted by aphids and caterpillars. A light dusting of pesticide powder directly on the leaves will protect the lotus from these pests.
- Liquid pesticides, even organic ones, contain oils and surfactants that could harm the lotus plant.
Move the lotus to deeper water as fall approaches. The lotus can survive the winter in northern regions like Michigan or Minnesota if the pond is deep enough to prevent the bulb from freezing. The bulb must be kept below the freezing depth, which varies by location.
- If your pond is relatively shallow, you can move the lotus pot to a garage or basement until spring. Insulate the pots with a covering to keep the bulbs warm.
Replant the lotus bulb every year. At the start of spring, when you notice the first signs of growth, replace the soil in the pot and place the bulb back in the same container (unless the pot is damaged). Return the pot to the pond at the same depth as before.
- If the lotus filled the entire pond the previous year, check the pot for cracks. You might need a larger pot if the plant has outgrown the current one.
Tips
- Consider using organic fertilizers made from kelp or fish meal if you want to avoid chemical fertilizers.
- The lotus bulb is very delicate. Handle it with care and avoid damaging the sharp tip (the "eye" of the bulb). The lotus will not sprout if the eye is harmed.
- The lotus flowers, seeds, young leaves, and stems (lotus stalks) are all edible, though they may cause mild intoxication.
- Lotus seeds can survive for hundreds or even thousands of years.
