How do you grow potted lotus? A full guide to the cultivation methods
Lotus, also known as lianhua, water hibiscus and so on, belongs to the order Nymphaeales, and many people want to grow lotus themselves. So when growing potted lotus, what exactly should you do? Are there any methods, tips or tricks? Let's take a detailed look together with the editor of Yiqizhuangxiu.
A complete rundown of potted lotus cultivation methods
Cultivation methods for potted lotus
Lotus likes warmth and sunlight, and dislikes shade and bitter water, but it likes stable still water. It dislikes dryness and deep water, and dislikes flowing water with drastic fluctuations. It is suited to soil rich in humus and slightly clayey, and does not like loose sandy soil. It fears cold; in autumn and winter the leaves and stems wither, but the underground stem (the lotus root) can overwinter under water that does not freeze. Generally it sprouts at 8-10°C, the lotus rhizome grows at 14°C, it flowers at high temperatures, and new lotus root grows at 25°C.
1. Soil: Lotus requires fertile clay loam rich in humus. Soil that is too heavy and clayey affects the extension of the lotus rhizome and the swelling of the lotus root; loose soil is prone to wind damage and hinders root development, and neither is good for the growth of lotus. The soil used is usually lake or pond mud, but you can also mix 4 parts garden soil, 3 parts loess and 3 parts sandy soil and use it after mixing well. The best soil is pH 6.5~7.5.
2. Light: Lotus likes strong light. Receiving 7~8 hours of light a day can give it more flower buds and continuous blooming. It should not be grown in the shade, and when in flower, indoor viewing should not exceed a full day. For home potted lotus, it must be placed on a balcony or in a courtyard, and at midday it should be moved to a shady spot to avoid the scorching sun.
3. Temperature: Lotus is very strict about temperature. Generally it begins to sprout at 8~10°C, the lotus rhizome begins to extend at 14°C, and 25~30°C is the most suitable temperature for the growth and development of lotus, especially in weather that alternates between rain and sunshine, which is even more favorable for the plant's growth.
4. Fertilizing: For lotus grown in pots or tubs, apply 200~500g of chicken manure as a base fertilizer according to the size of the pot. Lotus grown with this fertilizer is better than that grown with pig manure, cow manure or human waste as a base fertilizer. One month after planting, apply a liquid fertilizer based mainly on decomposed soybean cake water or human waste once, at a concentration of 10%. After the standing leaves emerge, apply 1~2 more top dressings, and during the flowering period apply superphosphate once every 7 days.
5. Water: In summer the temperature is high and lotus easily loses water. So at this time lotus grown in tubs should be given water once every 1~2 days; potted lotus should be given water 1~2 times a day, and the water should be roughly the same temperature as the water in the tub or pot, and the water quality should be kept clean; if the water is found to be murky, change it. In late autumn and early winter, lotus enters its dormant period, so there is no need to add water frequently; just keep shallow water in the tub or pot.
6. Pests and diseases: Common lotus pests include aphids that appear on floating leaves or small standing leaves, and the tobacco cutworm, which occurs from July to August. You can spray with a 1500~2000 times dilution of 50% dimethoate emulsion or a 500 times dilution of 2.5% rotenone.
Potted lotus blooms in summer and is dazzlingly beautiful. After autumn begins it stops growing, and the leaves and stems above the water gradually wither. Before "Start of Winter" cut off the remaining stems, clear out debris from the pot, pour out the water in the tub, and move it indoors at about 5°C to overwinter. Just keep the soil in the tub moist. After Qingming the following year, move it outdoors again and replant it after turning over the soil.
How to plant potted lotus: cultivation methods for potted lotus
Lotus has always been a very popular flowering plant, and the pens of scholars and poets have produced far too many beautiful lines about it. In the past, lotus was planted in large bodies of water, such as ponds and small lakes, but now we can plant lotus in pots and bring them into our homes. So how do you plant potted lotus? Let the editor introduce the cultivation methods for potted lotus below.
Introduction to lotus:
Lotus, also known as lianhua, water hibiscus and so on, belongs to the order Nymphaeales and the family Nelumbonaceae; it is a perennial aquatic herbaceous flower. The underground stem is long and thick, with long nodes, which is what we usually call the lotus root; the leaves are shield-shaped and round, and the flowering period is from June to September. There are many kinds of lotus, divided into two major categories, ornamental and edible. The whole lotus plant is a treasure: the lotus root and lotus seeds can be eaten, and the lotus seeds, rhizome, lotus root nodes, lotus leaves, flowers and the embryo of the seeds can all be used as medicine.
The growth habits of lotus:
Lotus originates from the tropical and temperate regions of Asia. It is an aquatic plant that likes relatively stable, calm shallow water; lakes, marshes, swamps and ponds are its suitable habitats. Lotus is very sensitive to water loss. In summer, if it is not watered for just 3 hours, the lotus leaves in a water tub will wilt; if watering stops for one day, the edges of the lotus leaves scorch and the flower buds wither back. Lotus also very much likes light, and during its growing period it needs a full-light environment. Lotus is extremely intolerant of shade, and when grown in half shade it will show a strong tendency to grow toward the light.
How to plant potted lotus:
Lotus likes warmth and sunlight, and dislikes shade and bitter water, but it likes stable still water. It dislikes dryness and deep water, and dislikes flowing water with drastic fluctuations. It is suited to soil rich in humus and slightly clayey, and does not like loose sandy soil. It fears cold; in autumn and winter the leaves and stems wither, but the underground stem (the lotus root) can overwinter under water that does not freeze. Generally it sprouts at 8-10°C, the lotus rhizome grows at 14°C, it flowers at high temperatures, and new lotus root grows at 25°C.
Cultivation methods for potted lotus:
1. Soil: Lotus requires fertile clay loam rich in humus. Soil that is too heavy and clayey affects the extension of the lotus rhizome and the swelling of the lotus root; loose soil is prone to wind damage and hinders root development, and neither is good for the growth of lotus. The soil used is usually lake or pond mud, but you can also mix 4 parts garden soil, 3 parts loess and 3 parts sandy soil and use it after mixing well. The best soil is pH 6.5~7.5.
2. Light: Lotus likes strong light. Receiving 7~8 hours of light a day can give it more flower buds and continuous blooming. It should not be grown in the shade, and when in flower, indoor viewing should not exceed a full day. For home potted lotus, it must be placed on a balcony or in a courtyard, and at midday it should be moved to a shady spot to avoid the scorching sun.
3. Temperature: Lotus is very strict about temperature. Generally it begins to sprout at 8~10°C, the lotus rhizome begins to extend at 14°C, and 25~30°C is the most suitable temperature for the growth and development of lotus, especially in weather that alternates between rain and sunshine, which is even more favorable for the plant's growth.
4. Fertilizing: For lotus grown in pots or tubs, apply 200~500g of chicken manure as a base fertilizer according to the size of the pot. Lotus grown with this fertilizer is better than that grown with pig manure, cow manure or human waste as a base fertilizer. One month after planting, apply a liquid fertilizer based mainly on decomposed soybean cake water or human waste once, at a concentration of 10%. After the standing leaves emerge, apply 1~2 more top dressings, and during the flowering period apply superphosphate once every 7 days.
5. Water: In summer the temperature is high and lotus easily loses water. So at this time lotus grown in tubs should be given water once every 1~2 days; potted lotus should be given water 1~2 times a day, and the water should be roughly the same temperature as the water in the tub or pot, and the water quality should be kept clean; if the water is found to be murky, change it. In late autumn and early winter, lotus enters its dormant period, so there is no need to add water frequently; just keep shallow water in the tub or pot.
6. Pests and diseases: Common lotus pests include aphids that appear on floating leaves or small standing leaves, and the tobacco cutworm, which occurs from July to August. You can spray with a 1500~2000 times dilution of 50% dimethoate emulsion or a 500 times dilution of 2.5% rotenone.
The above is a detailed introduction to the cultivation methods for potted lotus. From the content above, everyone should understand how to plant potted lotus. We hope the content above is helpful for your lotus growing, and we hope you can grow even more beautiful lotus.
What about lotus? How to grow potted lotus: an introduction to potted lotus cultivation tips
Introduction: How lush the lotus leaves are. We all know that in the hot summer season, the lotus in the pond is especially lush and flourishing. Growing lotus in pots gives a feeling that is closer to daily life. How do you grow potted lotus? Below, the editor will introduce the tips for growing potted lotus.
Lotus requires fertile clay loam rich in humus. Soil that is too heavy and clayey affects the extension of the lotus rhizome and the swelling of the lotus root. Loose soil is prone to wind damage and hinders root development, and neither is good for the growth of lotus. The soil used is usually lake or pond mud, but you can also mix 4 parts garden soil, 3 parts loess and 3 parts sandy soil and use it after mixing well. The best soil is pH 6.5~7.5.
In the tub or pot for planting lotus, first put in 3/5 of pond silt, then add a small amount of water and stir it into a thin mud. Then cut a section of three nodes as a plant, keeping the terminal bud, middle bud and tail bud intact. Generally it is suitable to plant two seed lotus roots in each tub or pot. For 3-5 days after planting, there is no need to add water to the pot or tub; only when the mud surface shows cracking should you add a small amount of water, so that the seed lotus root is held firmly in the mud and can sprout easily. As floating leaves appear and the temperature rises, the standing leaves grow, and you gradually add water to the tub or pot up to the rim.
Lotus likes strong light, receiving 7 hours—8 hours of light a day. This can give it more flower buds and continuous blooming. It should not be grown in the shade. When in flower, indoor viewing should not exceed three days. Lotus is best displayed in the open air; for home potted lotus, it must be placed on a balcony or in a courtyard.
For lotus grown in pots or tubs, apply 200g - 500g of chicken manure as a base fertilizer according to the size of the pot or tub. Lotus grown with this fertilizer produces more flowers, with brighter colors, and a higher yield of lotus seeds than lotus grown with pig manure, cow manure or human waste as a base fertilizer. That is all for the introduction to potted lotus cultivation techniques; we hope you find it useful.