How to grow potted lotus? A detailed guide to the latest cultivation methods
Lotus, also known as water lily, water hibiscus, water palace fairy and so on, is a perennial aquatic herbaceous plant of the genus Nelumbo. There are many varieties, divided into two major categories, ornamental and edible. Its character of emerging unstained from the mud is forever praised by the world, and it has always been one of the subjects sung and painted by poets and literati through the ages. Now let us take a look together at the cultivation methods for potted lotus!
Propagation techniques for potted lotus
1. Seed propagation: From May to June each year, rub the sunken end of the seed against a rough surface until it is worn through, then soak the seed to raise seedlings. Change the water frequently to keep it clean. Sprouts appear in about a week, and two weeks after sprouting, roots form and the seedling can be transplanted. Plant one per pot. The water layer should be shallow, and the lotus leaves must not be submerged in the water.
2. Lotus rhizome division propagation: Mid-March to mid-April is the best period for repotting and dividing lotus rhizomes. Before planting, mix the pot soil into a paste. When planting, insert the top end of the seed rhizome obliquely into the mud along the edge of the pot at 20 degrees. For bowl lotus, the depth is about 5 cm. For large lotus, the depth is about 10 cm, with the head low and the tail high, and the tail half tilted up so that water does not enter the tail of the rhizome. After planting, place the pot in the sun to dry until fine cracks appear on the surface of the soil, so that the seed rhizome binds completely with the soil. Then add a small amount of water. After buds grow out, gradually deepen the water level, and finally maintain a 3-5 cm water layer.
Planting methods for potted lotus
1. Variety selection: For potted lotus, choose ornamental strains suitable for potting. Common ones include Fozuo, Chongtai, Bijiangxue, Da Bilian, Yizhangqing, Jiaorong Sanbian, Shouxingtao, Xihu and so on.
2. Flowerpot selection: Potted lotus usually uses shallow lotus pots, wooden barrel pots, or shallow vats with a diameter of more than 60 cm. If using old pots, scrub them clean inside and out. If using a household water vat, because its height is rather high, bricks and stones can be laid in the bottom layer of the vat to make it shallower; if the vat is too deep, there are often many leaves and few flowers.
3. Soil for cultivation: The cultivation soil for potted lotus is generally pond mud or paddy field mud rich in humus. First pound the mud and sieve it. If there are impurities, gravel and so on, they need to be picked out, making the mud sticky and muddy. Put it into the pot, generally 10-15 cm thick. At the same time, any one of sun-dried chicken and duck manure, dried human manure, soybean cake, rapeseed cake, chicken feathers, hair, green grass and so on can be used as base fertilizer.
4. Planting time: Potted lotus can be planted around Qingming Festival, that is, planting in late March is best. Too early easily causes the rhizome nodes to rot and the plant to bloom poorly; even if it blooms, the flowers tend to be below the leaves, affecting ornamental value.
Cultivation management of potted lotus
1. Soil management: Lotus requires fertile clay loam rich in humus. Soil that is too heavy and sticky affects the elongation of the lotus runners and the swelling of the rhizomes, while loose soil is prone to wind damage and hinders root development; neither is good for lotus growth. The soil used is usually lake and pond mud, or a mixture of 4 parts garden soil, 3 parts loess and 3 parts sandy soil thoroughly mixed. The best soil pH is 6.5-7.5.
2. Light management: Lotus loves strong light. Receiving 7-8 hours of light daily can make its flower buds numerous and its flowers bloom continuously. Avoid cultivating it in shady places, and when it is in flower, indoor viewing should not exceed one day. Household potted lotus must be placed on a balcony or in a courtyard, and at noon it should be moved to a cool place to avoid the scorching sun.
3. Temperature control: Lotus has strict temperature requirements. Generally it begins to sprout at 8-10 degrees C, the lotus runners begin to elongate at 14 degrees C, and 25-30 degrees C is the most suitable temperature for lotus growth and development. Especially in weather that alternates between rain and sunshine, plant growth is even more favorable.
4. Reasonable fertilization: Potted lotus is usually given 200-500 grams of chicken manure as base fertilizer according to the size of the pot. One month after planting, apply once a liquid fertilizer mainly of decomposed soybean cake water or human urine and manure, at a concentration of 10%. After the standing leaves emerge, apply topdressing another 1-2 times. During the flowering period, apply superphosphate once every 7 days.
5. Water management: In summer, when temperatures are high, lotus easily loses water. Add water 1-2 times daily to keep the water clean. If the water is found to be turbid, change it. In late autumn and early winter, lotus enters dormancy and does not need frequent watering; just keep shallow water.
6. Pest and disease control: Common lotus pests include aphids appearing on floating leaves or small standing leaves and the tobacco cutworm, which occurs from July to August. They can be sprayed with 50% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1500-2000 times dilution or 2.5% rotenone at 500 times dilution.