How to Propagate Lotus Root? A Detailed Explanation of Several Common Methods

-- Lotus seed propagation. Since lotus seeds are covered with a hard shell, first crack open the sunken end of the shell, then soak it in water at 26-30°C to promote germination. Once the sprout emerges, it must still be kept submerged in water to prevent dehydration and shriveling; when it grows to 4 leaves and 1 rhizome runner, it can be planted out in the field. Because lotus seed propagation grows slowly in the early stage, seedlings must be raised in a protected area 1 month in advance so that lotus roots of commercial value can form in the same year.

-- Whole lotus root propagation. Plant the entire main lotus root together with its daughter roots and granddaughter roots at a certain row and plant spacing; the planting method is to insert the top end into the mud, with the tail tip exposed above the mud surface, inserted at a slant.

-- Daughter lotus root propagation. Daughter lotus roots are the side branches that grow from the main root. Daughter lotus roots may have one node, two nodes, or even four nodes; this depends on where the daughter root is attached on the main root. The closer the daughter root is attached to the lotus root head, the fewer nodes it has; the closer it is attached to the lotus root tail, the more nodes it has. Whichever node the daughter root belongs to, it can be cut off and used alone as a lotus root seed for propagation.

-- Lotus root head propagation. That is, cut off the top node of the main lotus root to use as seed, or cut off the top node lotus root head of a daughter root to use as seed.

-- Lotus root node propagation. That is, cut a 5-6 cm section from the node to use as seed; this uses the axillary buds on the lotus root nodes for propagation.

-- Terminal bud propagation. That is, cut off the terminal bud of the main lotus root or daughter root together with the basal node, and insert it into a soft mud seedling bed. When inserting, if the temperature is still low, cover with plastic film. Only after adventitious roots grow from the basal node of the terminal bud, 2-3 small leaves grow at the top, and the outside temperature has stabilized above 15°C, can it be planted out in the field. Planting method: bury both the adventitious roots and the lotus rhizome runner in the mud, with the small leaves exposed above the water surface. After planting, pay attention to shallow water irrigation to raise the mud temperature and promote early growth.

-- Lotus rhizome runner cutting. After the buds on the lotus roots in the field extend into rhizome runners and grow to the branching stage, dig up intact two-node rhizome runners with terminal buds (keeping two leaves on them) and transplant them into the field. When planting, bury both the bud tip and the rhizome runner shallowly in the mud, and keep the lotus leaves above the water surface.

All of the above methods can propagate new lotus roots. The most seed-saving is terminal bud propagation, but it requires careful management; lotus seed propagation can also save lotus root seeds, but because lotus root is cross-pollinated, the offspring often grow into many types and have lower commercial value, so apart from breeding, it is generally not much used; using whole lotus roots as seed is a traditional method, but the amount of seed used is too large; lotus root nodes use their axillary buds, and their growth capacity is relatively weak, so they are also not suitable for use. Using lotus root heads or daughter roots for propagation is preferable, while lotus rhizome runner cutting can be used for replanting gaps or for late planting.