Lotus Bonsai Recommendations: How to Grow Potted Lotus That Rises Clean from the Mud?

The lotus has always been a subject for ancient poets' verses - not to mention that ancient scholars and refined gentlemen could compose a couplet about anything they laid eyes on. But the ancients praised it so much because the lotus truly deserves people's admiration. I personally love eating its rhizomes. Getting to the point, the lotus is compared by people to the water hibiscus.

Light management: The lotus loves sunlight and cannot survive without it. If household lotus is kept on a balcony, it needs at least 5 hours of sun exposure per day, otherwise flowering will be affected. During the flowering period, if the plant is in a semi-shaded, semi-sunny environment, the flowers and leaves will "lean to one side," the leaves will grow excessively, and the ornamental appeal will noticeably decline.

Water management: When caring for lotus, water is of utmost importance. During the growing season, water volume must especially be well controlled. Normally, the water layer is about 5 cm; in summer when temperatures are high, water evaporates quickly, so it is essential to replenish it promptly. After winter arrives, the pot soil should also be kept moist to prevent the seed lotus from drying out due to lack of water.

Soil management: Although the lotus grows in water year-round, its soil requirements are still relatively high. Soil rich in humus, or lake and pond mud, will both work. If you find that troublesome, you can mix your own using garden soil, loess soil, and sandy soil in a ratio of 4:3:3. But by no means should you use chemically polluted mud or sewage sludge just to save effort, otherwise the loss will outweigh the gain.