Lotus Planting Methods and Key Technical Points
Lotus, also known as the lotus flower and water hibiscus, has since ancient times been something to admire only from afar and not to trifle with. Despite its beautiful appearance and extremely high ornamental value, it is also an economic crop. Its seeds, seed pods, and rhizomes are all edible, and its economic benefits are remarkable, attracting many people to grow it. So how should lotus be planted? Let's take a look.
1. Planting Environment
Lotus is an aquatic plant and is generally grown in ponds. When planting, it requires slow water flow and a stable water level. Lotus does not have high requirements for water quality, as long as it is not seriously polluted. A water depth of 1-1.5 m is sufficient, and the bottom of the pond requires a deep soil layer. In addition, lotus is a sun-loving plant and needs to maintain more than 10 hours of light per day. Also, to prevent the lotus from being eaten by fish and shrimp, all fish and shrimp in the pond should be cleared out before planting, and protective measures should be taken to prevent fish from entering.
2. Sowing
The seed coat of lotus is relatively hard, so before planting, the shell must first be broken open so that it can germinate smoothly. Generally, use scissors to make a small hole in the shell, then place the seeds in clean water and soak them for 2 weeks so they absorb enough water and germinate and grow leaves before sowing. When soaking the seeds, be careful to change the water every day to prevent water quality from deteriorating and affecting seed germination. When sowing, first drain the pond water, and after several days of sun exposure, make the bottom soil slightly dry, then bury the seeds and maintain light exposure.
3. Fertilizer and Water Management
Lotus has different water requirements at each stage. Generally, shallow water is used in the early growth stage, deeper water in the middle stage, and less water in the later stage, with the water level controlled within 1.5 m. To make lotus grow quickly, fertilization is essential. Before planting, sufficient base fertilizer can be applied. Generally, 3000 kg of organic fertilizer and an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer are applied per mu as base fertilizer. The principle for topdressing is light application at the seedling stage, heavy application during flower bud formation, and frequent application during the flowering and fruiting stage. At the seedling stage, 30 kg of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and 10 kg of nitrogen fertilizer are applied per mu. At the flower bud stage, depending on the plant's growth condition, increase by 1-2 times the seedling-stage amount. During the flowering and fruiting stage, to improve the seed-setting rate, topdress once every 20 days.
4. Field Management
During planting, pay attention to changes in water quality and bottom sediment. Once deterioration of water quality or bottom sediment is found, handle it promptly to avoid lotus death and reduced yield. In addition, during planting, weeds should also be removed promptly to avoid adverse effects on lotus growth. Spray herbicide once a month to control weed growth. Also, algae, water moss, and other aquatic plants on the water surface should be removed promptly. When the lotus grows 3-5 standing leaves, plow in time, once every half month, for 3-4 consecutive times, until the rhizomes fill the pond.
The above are lotus planting methods. We hope this helps you. To learn more about lotus cultivation, please stay tuned to us.