How to Grow Lotus Root in Pots: A Detailed Guide to the Planting Method
Every summer, doesn't the sight of lotus flowers and leaves filling a pond make you feel instantly refreshed? Gardeners can grow lotus at home too. The method for growing lotus root in pots is very simple - all you need is a suitable pot and a section of lotus root that can sprout. When it blooms, it is not only a delight to the eyes, but from then on you will have a steady supply of lotus root, lotus flowers and lotus seeds. Below we introduce the method for growing lotus root in pots.
I. Planting Method
1. Choosing the pot and soil
The pot used for growing lotus root is not the same as an ordinary flower pot - it needs to be able to hold water, and the bottom of the pot absolutely must not leak. A water vat or stone trough is best. The pot should also preferably be fairly large, because lotus root grows very quickly, and a pot that is too small cannot meet its needs for growth and reproduction.
2. Selecting the lotus root
Propagating from lotus root is much more convenient than propagating from lotus seeds, and it produces stems, leaves and flowers faster and better. If grown well, it can grow leaves and bloom in the same year. When selecting lotus root, try to choose one that is intact, free of disease, and has a lotus sprout. Wash it clean before planting and set it aside.
3. Making the pot mud
As for the pot soil, it is best to dig some unpolluted silt from a pond; if that is not possible, soaking garden soil in water will also work. This method requires mixing garden soil with a base fertilizer, and after mixing, it needs to be soaked in water for half a month before use. Only then will the pot mud be more nutritious and more suitable for lotus root growth.
4. Planting the lotus root
Once everything is ready, you can plant the lotus root. When planting, face the lotus sprout upward and bury all the other parts in the pot mud, then add plenty of water - the water level should rise 3-5 cm above the mud. This allows the planted lotus root to grow stems and leaves faster. That is the method for growing lotus root in pots. If cultivated well, it can bloom in the same year!
II. Care Methods
1. Controlling the water level
The peak growing season for lotus root is midsummer. Since home-grown lotus root is in a pot, you must control the amount of water in the pot. In summer, never let the lotus root dry out; if the water line gets close to the pot mud, add water promptly. During the rainy season, be very careful not to let standing water submerge the lotus leaves, as over time this will cause the leaves to rot.
2. Plenty of light
Lotus flowers and leaves both love sunlight very much, and there is no problem at all with standing up to the blazing sun of midsummer - as long as there is enough water, there is no need to worry about them being scorched to death. So normally place the potted lotus root in a sunny spot, and during the peak growing season it should receive at least 4 hours of light per day. Only then can the leaves grow normally; otherwise they will turn yellow and wither.
3. Suitable temperature
Generally speaking, the most suitable temperature for lotus growth is 25-35°C, so placing it under the blazing sun is not only completely fine, but will also make it grow quickly. Remember not to put the pot in a shaded place, as this not only fails to provide a suitable growing temperature, but also causes the stems and leaves to grow leggy without blooming.
4. Regular fertilizing
Base fertilizer was already added when the pot mud was prepared. After the lotus root leaves grow above the water surface, you can apply a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer once every half month, which promotes thick and plump flowers and leaves. Since the pot cannot drain, you must control the fertilizer dosage; an excessive amount may cause the plant to grow abnormally large and die.
After reading the content above, we hope you can master the techniques for growing potted lotus root. Being able to see lotus flowers, which emerge unstained from the mud, every summer will surely be a great delight to the eyes.