How to grow potted lotus? Cultivation methods and management tips
Lotus flower: It belongs to the order Ranunculales, family Nymphaeaceae, and is the general name for two species of plants in the genus Nelumbo. Also known as lotus, water hibiscus, etc. It is a perennial aquatic herbaceous flower of the genus Nelumbo. The underground stem is long and thick, with distinct nodes, and the leaves are shield-shaped and round. The flowering period is from June to September, with flowers borne singly at the tip of the peduncle. The petals are numerous, embedded in the cavities of the receptacle, and come in red, pink, white, purple and other colors, or may have colored markings and fringed edges. The nut is oval and the seed is egg-shaped. There are many kinds of lotus, divided into two major categories: ornamental and edible. It originated in the tropical and temperate regions of Asia, and cultivation in China was recorded as early as the Zhou Dynasty. Every part of the lotus is useful: the lotus root and lotus seeds can be eaten, and the lotus seeds, rhizomes, lotus root nodes, lotus leaves, flowers and seed embryos can all be used as medicine. Its character of emerging unstained from the mud has always been praised by people. “The lotus leaves stretching to the sky are endlessly green, and the lotus flowers reflecting the sun are especially red” is a true portrayal of the beauty of the lotus. The noble character of the lotus, “hollow within and straight without, neither creeping nor branching, emerging from the silt unstained, bathed in clear ripples without being frivolous”, has always been one of the subjects celebrated and painted by poets and scholars through the ages.
How to grow and manage potted lotus?
1. Requirements for light and temperature.
Lotus likes strong light. Receiving 7-8 hours of light per day can increase its flower buds and keep it blooming continuously. Avoid cultivating it in shady places. Lotus is best displayed in the open air. When growing lotus in pots at home, it must be placed on a balcony or in a courtyard. Lotus has strict temperature requirements. Generally, it begins to sprout at 8-10°C, the lotus runners begin to elongate at 1490, and 25-3090 is the most suitable temperature for the growth and development of lotus. Especially in weather with alternating rain and sunshine, plant growth is even more favored. At 18-21°C, it begins to produce standing leaves. Flowering requires high temperatures. At 259C new lotus roots grow. Most cultivated varieties shift into the lotus root-growing stage when the temperature drops around the Beginning of Autumn.
2. Cultivation management.
To plant lotus, choose a sheltered, sunny, flat place. For container cultivation, the flower vat is generally 40-50 cm high, with a mouth diameter of 60-70 cm and a bottom diameter of 40-50 cm. Wide-bottomed shallow pots are suitable for flower pots. When arranging the vats and pots in a flower field, both the growth needs of the lotus and convenience of operation and economical use of land must be considered. The vat spacing is generally 70 cm x 70 cm, with walkways about 100 cm; the pot spacing is 50 cm x 50 cm, with walkways about 80 cm.
Lotus requires fertile loamy soil rich in humus, with a pH of 6.5-7.5 being suitable. In the vat or pot for planting lotus, first put in 3/5 of lake or pond sludge, then add a small amount of water and mix it into a thin mud. Cut a 3-node section as one piece, keeping the terminal bud, middle bud and tail bud intact and undamaged as seed lotus root. Generally, planting 2 seed lotus roots per vat (pot) is suitable. After planting, there is no need to add water to the pot or vat for 3-5 days. Only when the mud surface shows cracking may a small amount of water be added, so that the seed lotus root is firmly held in the mud and can sprout easily. As floating leaves appear and standing leaves grow, gradually deepen the water layer in the pot or vat until it reaches the mouth of the pot or vat.
For lotus cultivation in pots and vats, according to the size of the container, fertilization generally uses 200-500 grams of chicken manure, pig manure, cow manure or human excrement and urine as base fertilizer (chicken manure is best). 30 days after planting, apply once a decomposed soybean cake water or human excrement and urine liquid fertilizer at a concentration of 10%. After the standing leaves emerge, apply 1-2 more topdressings. During the flowering period, apply topdressing of superphosphate and potassium sulfate once every 7 days. In summer, when the temperature is high, lotus easily loses water. At this time, vat-cultivated lotus should be given water once every 1-2 days; potted lotus should be given water 1-2 times every day. The water temperature in the vat or pot should be kept roughly consistent, and the water quality should be kept clean. In late autumn and early winter, lotus enters dormancy, so it is not necessary to add water frequently; just keep shallow water in the vat or pot.
3. Precautions for potted lotus
Lotus refers to being able to flower normally in flower pots with a mouth diameter within 26 cm, and it must also meet the following three indicators: the average flower diameter does not exceed 12 cm, the average height of standing leaves does not exceed 33 cm, and the average diameter of standing leaves does not exceed 24 cm.
Lotus is cultivated using the lotus root body as the seed lotus root. In one growth cycle, it goes through processes such as sprouting, leaf unfolding, flowering, fruiting, lotus root growth and dormancy. From the beginning of seed lotus root germination to the Beginning of Summer and Lesser Fullness periods is the stage of sprouting and emerging from the soil. After the Spring Equinox, when the temperature rises above 10°C, the lotus buds on the seed lotus root begin to stir. After Pure Brightness, when the temperature reaches above 15°C, floating leaves begin to grow and lotus runners are produced; when the temperature reaches above 20°C, the main runner produces standing leaves, and by then it already has a relatively strong root system, with enhanced ability to absorb fertilizer.
From the emergence of standing leaves until their appearance afterward is the vigorous growth stage. In late June, the plum rain season begins, with more rain, high humidity and high temperature, which is most suitable for lotus root growth. At this time it enters the vigorous growth period. Afterward, about every 5-7 days a standing leaf grows, and each one is higher than the last; the main runner and side runners also grow rapidly, while new side runners continuously emerge, and flower buds appear and bloom. At this stage, strong winds must be strictly guarded against to avoid breaking leaves and damaging roots.
Through the above introduction to lotus cultivation methods and precautions, everyone should have an understanding of potted lotus. We hope this is helpful to friends who want to grow potted lotus!