How to grow potted lotus? Detailed explanation of cultivation methods
Lotus, also known as lianhua, water hibiscus, water palace fairy, and so on, is a perennial aquatic herbaceous plant of the genus Nelumbo. It has many varieties and is divided into two major categories: ornamental and edible. Its character of emerging unstained from the mud is always praised by the world, and it has always been one of the subjects sung and painted by poets and scholars through the ages. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods for potted lotus!
Propagation techniques for potted lotus
1. Seed propagation: From May to June each year, rub the concave end of the seed on rough ground until it is worn open, then soak the seed to raise seedlings. Change the water frequently and keep the water clean. Sprouting occurs in about one week, and roots form two weeks after sprouting, then transplant. Plant one plant 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 pot edge 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 upward so that water does not enter the tail of the rhizome. After planting, place the pot in sunlight so that tiny cracks appear on the surface of the soil, which helps the seed rhizome bond 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, ornamental strains suitable for potting should be selected. Common ones include Fozuo, Chongtai, Bijiangxue, Dabei Lian, Yizhang Qing, Jiaorong Sanbian, Shouxing Tao, Xihu, and so on.
2. Flowerpot selection: Potted lotus usually uses shallow lotus pots, wooden bucket 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 at the bottom 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 soil used for potted lotus is generally pond mud or paddy field mud rich in humus. First crush the mud and sift 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, with late March being the best. If planted too early, the rhizome nodes are prone to rot, and the plants bloom poorly. Even if they bloom, the flowers tend to be under the leaves, affecting ornamental value.
Cultivation management for 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 stolon and the expansion of the rhizome, while loose soil is prone to wind damage and hinders root development. Neither is good for the growth of lotus. The soil used is usually lake or pond mud, but it can also be prepared by mixing 4 parts garden soil, 3 parts loess, and 3 parts sandy soil. The best soil pH is 6.5-7.5.
2. Light management: Lotus likes strong light. Receiving 7-8 hours of light per day can produce more flower buds and continuous blooming. It should not be cultivated in shady places, and when in bloom, 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 shady place to avoid the harsh sun.
3. Temperature control: Lotus has strict temperature requirements. Generally, it begins to sprout at 8-10°C, the stolon begins to elongate at 14°C, and 25-30°C 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 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 composed of decomposed soybean cake water or human excrement and urine, at a concentration of 10%. After the standing leaves emerge, apply 1-2 more topdressings. 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, replace it. In late autumn and early winter, lotus enters dormancy, so it is not necessary to add water frequently; just maintain shallow water.
6. Pest and disease control: Common lotus pests include aphids appearing on floating leaves or small standing leaves and the tobacco cutworm occurring from July to August. They can be sprayed with 50% dimethoate emulsion at 1500-2000 times dilution or 2.5% derris extract at 500 times dilution.