How do lotus seeds germinate? Detailed planting methods and timing

Every summer is the season when lotuses bloom. An ancient Chinese poem says: "The lotus leaves stretching to the horizon are endlessly green, the lotus flowers reflecting the sun are especially red," and other verses describe this beautiful scene for us. So how do you get lotus seeds to germinate? What are the planting methods? When is the planting time? Now let the editor of Tuliu.com answer these one by one for you!

I. Basic facts about the lotus

1. The origin of the lotus

The lotus is actually the general name for two species in the genus Nelumbo, a perennial aquatic herbaceous flower of the genus Nelumbo. In other regions it is also called lotus flower, water hibiscus, lotus root flower, fuqu, water mushroom, water bloom, zezhi, Chinese lotus, and so on. It is native to the tropical and temperate regions of Asia, and is now cultivated in every region of China. In addition, besides being one of China's top ten famous flowers, the lotus is also the national flower of India and Vietnam.

2. The value of the lotus

The lotus has very high ornamental value. It can be planted as a waterscape in gardens and botanical gardens, grown as a bonsai in private courtyards, or used as material for flower arranging, and so on. In addition, the lotus also has edible and medicinal value. Lotus petals, lotus seeds, and lotus roots can all be used as food ingredients, while lotus leaves can serve not only as a substitute for tea but also as packaging material. Using the lotus medicinally has effects such as invigorating blood and stopping bleeding, removing dampness and dispelling wind, clearing the heart and cooling the blood, and relieving heat and detoxifying. Lotus seeds can nourish the heart, benefit the kidneys, tonify the spleen, and astringe the intestines, and so on. Lotus leaves have effects such as relieving summer heat and promoting diuresis, and aiding weight loss and slimming. In addition, lotus root nodes, lotus stems, lotus leaf bases, and lotus stamens are all good medicinal materials.

3. Places to admire lotuses

(1) Weishan Lake Wetland Red Lotus Tourism Scenic Area in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province

(2) West Lake in Hangzhou, a top lotus-viewing destination

(3) Beihai Park in Beijing, where lotus leaves stand tall like canopies

(4) Xuanwu Lake in the ancient capital of Nanjing

(5) Slender West Lake in Yangzhou with its charming scenery

Of course, there are also the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou, Daming Lake in Jinan, East Lake Park in Wuhan, Lianhu in Yueyang, and many others that are all great places to admire lotuses.

II. How do you get lotus seeds to germinate?

There are many propagation methods for growing lotuses, including raising seedlings from seeds, planting by dividing lotus roots, and space breeding, and so on. Below we discuss how to get lotus seeds to germinate when raising seedlings from seeds.

1. Pick lotus seeds for sowing whose skins have turned black and which are fully mature.

2. Remove the outer skin of the lotus seed and make a cut in the hard seed coat, but be careful not to damage the kernel.

3. Place the treated lotus seeds in clean water, changing the water once a day. Generally, after soaking for four or five days they absorb water, swell, and germinate.

III. What are the lotus planting methods and timing?

After the lotus seeds to be planted have finished germinating, you need to be clear about the sowing time and the planting methods.

1. Planting time for lotus seeds

Lotus seeds can be planted from April to August each year. Lotus seeds sown during this period do well in both germination rate and later growth.

2. Planting methods for lotus seeds

(1) Transplant the germinated seeds that have grown stems into a pre-prepared water vat (a holeless ceramic pot or plastic pot will both work). The water depth only needs to be one or two cm higher than the mud below.

(2) Press the fine roots of the young seedlings into the mud and add an appropriate amount of water, but be careful that the water must not submerge the small lotus leaves that have grown.

(3) If you want to add tap water to the pot, it is best to use water that has been left in the sun for one or two days. Fertilizing should mainly use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and the amount applied each time must not be too much.

(4) During the lotus's growth, prevent infestations by pests and diseases such as black spot, rot disease, and aphids. It is best to do preventive work in advance. For branches and leaves that show pests or diseases, promptly remove them and spray the corresponding agents.