How to Plant Lotus Seeds from a Lotus Seed Pod? A Detailed Guide to Growing Lotus Seeds

The surface of the lotus receptacle has numerous scattered honeycomb-like holes, and after fertilization it gradually swells and is called a lotus seed pod. Simply put, the fruit at the center of the lotus flower is the lotus pod, shaped like a bowl, and its seeds are the lotus seeds. So, how do you plant the seeds from a lotus pod?

1. How do you plant the seeds from a lotus pod?

1. Sowing time

Lotus seeds do not have a specific dormant period. As long as the temperature can be kept above 16°C when sowing, they can be sown in all four seasons of the year. If light and temperature conditions are suitable, from sowing to flowering usually takes 50 to 60 days in spring and 60 to 80 days in autumn.

2. Treating the seeds

The outer shell of lotus seeds is very hard. Before soaking the seeds, first use pliers to crack, or rub on the ground to make a small opening at, the end of the lotus seed that has a small dimple.

3. Soaking seeds to promote germination

Place the seeds in a container filled with water to soak. During soaking, keep them in a warm environment. They will sprout in about 1 week, and after 2 weeks they will grow fine roots and tender leaves.

4. Transplanting the sprouts

Prepare a flowerpot without a drainage hole, add half a pot of river mud, add water in advance to soak it, and then press the roots of the germinated lotus seeds into the river mud.

2. The edible value of the lotus pod

The lotus pod includes the lotus receptacle, lotus seeds, and lotus plumule. The lotus receptacle can be used to brew tea, which can help prevent diabetes, and can also be used to make soup; taken with rock sugar, it can dissipate blood stasis and treat illness. Lotus seeds are sweet and astringent in taste and neutral in nature. They have the effects of tonifying the spleen and stopping diarrhea, benefiting the kidneys and astringing essence, and nourishing the heart and calming the mind. They are often used for conditions such as chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, seminal emission and leukorrhea, and palpitations and insomnia. They are a common medicinal material, decocted together with traditional Chinese medicines such as Gordon euryale seed, coix seed, and Poria. Dongping Lake in Shandong is rich in lotus seeds, and the famous Tai'an snack “Dongping porridge powder” includes traditional Chinese medicines such as lotus seeds and Gordon euryale seed, and is well known at home and abroad. White fungus and lotus seed soup is a common way to eat them, and lotus seed, mung bean, and lily soup and lotus seed and red date soup are loved by many women. The lotus plumule has a significant cardiotonic effect, can dilate peripheral blood vessels, and has the effects of lowering blood pressure and clearing heart fire. The lotus plumule is commonly used to make an infusion to drink, which can clear heat and reduce internal fire. Honey-glazed ham is a traditional famous dish, found in both Zhejiang cuisine and Jiangsu cuisine, and its ingredients include Jinhua ham, lotus plumule, and others.