Detailed Explanation of Lotus Propagation Methods and Pot Sowing Techniques

  Sowing propagation, that is, using lotus seeds (lotus nuts), saves seed lotus roots, labor and money, is convenient to transport, and easy to operate; the lotus plants grown afterward have strong vitality and can be rapidly propagated on a large scale. However, seedling-grown lotus plants are prone to variation and cannot maintain the superior traits of the variety, so they are generally mostly used for breeding new varieties.

  As for sowing propagation techniques, as early as the 6th century, Jia Sixie's “Qimin Yaoshu” recorded in detail the “method of planting lotus seeds,” with three key points: first, the lotus seeds picked for sowing must have blackened seed coats and be fully mature; second, the lotus seeds must be treated to break the hard seed coat tissue so that water can seep in and promote germination, yet the lotus kernel must not be damaged; third, before broadcasting in the pond, each lotus seed should be wrapped thickly with a ball of mud, so that after sinking into the water the lotus seeds do not drift. Once they germinate, the young roots go straight into the mud. This complete set of basic techniques is still in use today, without departing from its principles.

  In combination with breeding new varieties, it is advisable to sow lotus nuts of small-plant-type flower varieties. In the Yangtze River basin, sowing can be done from late April to late August. Whether sown early or late, some varieties can bloom in the same year. Before sowing, the base of the lotus nut should be clipped open, without injuring the cotyledons, and the seeds should be soaked indoors at normal room temperature to promote germination. They sprout in about 5 days, and in about 20 days grow 2-3 tender leaves, while also producing young roots, and can then be sown in an open-air mud pot. When the temperature is suitable (20-24°C), once the soaked seeds germinate and show green, they can be sown earlier and still achieve a full stand of seedlings.

  For sowing, use a flowerpot without drainage holes (caliber 14-17 cm), filled with fertile thin pond mud, with a mud depth of 3/5 of the pot height. Lay the lotus nut horizontally at the edge of the flowerpot and press it gently into the mud, leaving the seed coat slightly exposed. Only after one or two days, when the lotus seedling has anchored itself in the mud, should a small amount of water be added. At this time, if the petioles of the tender leaves are seen to be scorched by the sun, as long as the new shoots show green, they can still grow leaves again. Afterward, as the seedlings gradually grow, raise the water level continuously.