How to Grow and Care for Potted Lotus

Every year from June to September, a large number of lotus flowers bloom in the lotus pond, which is very beautiful. Best of all, it can also be grown as a small potted plant to enhance the indoor environment, so what are the methods for growing potted lotus?

1. Light and temperature requirements

Lotus likes strong light; receiving 7-8 hours of light per day can increase its flower buds and keep it blooming continuously. Avoid growing 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 degrees C, the lotus rhizome begins to elongate at 14 degrees C, and 25-30 degrees C is the most suitable temperature for lotus growth and development; weather with alternating rain and sunshine is especially favorable for plant growth. At 18-21 degrees C, it begins to produce standing leaves. Flowering requires high temperatures. New lotus rhizomes grow at 25 degrees C, and most cultivated varieties enter the rhizome-growing stage when the temperature drops around the Beginning of Autumn.

2. Choosing pots

For containers used for planting, the flower vats are generally 40-50 cm tall, with a mouth diameter of 60-70 cm and a bottom diameter of 40-50 cm. Wide-bottomed shallow pots are preferable. When arranging vats and pots in a flower field, both the growth needs of the lotus and ease of operation and economical use of space must be considered. The spacing between vats is generally 70 cm x 70 cm, with walkways of about 100 cm; the spacing between pots is 50 cm x 50 cm, with walkways of about 80 cm.

3. Potting soil requirements

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 lake or pond sludge, then add a small amount of water and mix into a thin mud. Cut a section of 3 nodes, keeping the terminal bud, middle bud and tail bud intact as seed lotus rhizome. Generally, it is suitable to plant 2 seed lotus rhizomes per vat (pot). 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 rhizome is firmly set 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 rim.

4. Fertilizer requirements

When growing lotus in pots or vats, according to container size, generally apply 200-500 grams of chicken manure, pig manure, cow manure or human excrement and urine as base fertilizer (chicken manure is best). Thirty days after planting, apply once a liquid fertilizer of decomposed soybean cake water or human excrement and urine at a concentration of 10%. After standing leaves are produced, apply 1-2 more topdressings; during the flowering period, apply superphosphate and potassium sulfate once every 7 days. In summer, when temperatures are high, lotus easily loses water. At this time, vat-grown lotus should be given water once every 1-2 days; potted lotus should be given water 1-2 times per pot, and the water temperature in the vat or pot should be roughly consistent, while the water quality should be kept clean. In late autumn and early winter, lotus enters dormancy, so there is no need to add water frequently; just keep shallow water in the vat or pot.

5. Precautions for potted lotus

(1) Lotus refers to being able to bloom normally in a flowerpot with a diameter within 26 cm, and it must also meet the following three criteria: 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.

(2) Lotus is cultivated using the lotus rhizome body as the seed rhizome. In one growth cycle, it goes through processes such as sprouting, leaf unfolding, flowering, fruiting, rhizome growth and dormancy. From the beginning of seed rhizome sprouting 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 degrees C, the lotus buds on the seed rhizome begin to stir; after Pure Brightness, when the temperature reaches above 15 degrees C, floating leaves begin to grow and lotus runners are produced; when the temperature reaches above 20 degrees C, the main runner produces standing leaves, and by then it already has a relatively strong root system, with enhanced ability to absorb nutrients.

(3) From the emergence of standing leaves to their appearance is the vigorous growth stage. In late June, the plum rain season begins, with more rain, high humidity and high temperatures, which is most suitable for lotus rhizome growth; at this time it enters the vigorous growth period. After that, about every 5-7 days a new standing leaf grows, each higher than the last; the main runner and side runners also grow quickly, while new side runners continuously emerge, and buds appear and flowers bloom. During this stage, strong winds must be strictly guarded against to avoid breaking leaves and damaging roots.