You might have noticed, I am the newest kid on the block (or at least nearly so) Last year I bought my first potted lotus from a local supplier...Followed directions and was super happy with the results. Wintered the plant in my pond with fish..Could note wait for 2005.....Sooooo about March 1 I did the old cleaning of the pond got my filters ready. Fertilized when and in the amount directed. Things went well until the bloom pod was 2-3 days from full open. So what happens? The petals begin falling from the pod at their attaching point and in 2 days I have a brown undeveloped seed pod and a bent over bloom stalk.
I think our weather has not been that far from normal......HELP!!!!!!!!!
care and feeding of the lotus plant...
Welcome to DG!
I'm sorry I can't really answer your post but thought you might like to try it in the Water Gardening forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/water/ as this one can get quite crowded :)
Have you disturb the roots? where is that filter near the roots /rhizoms of Lotus? what is the ambient temp. of your area? Need answer of few question.
Kaleem
Is this plant still in the pot or planted directlyin the pond bottom? Our experience has been they must be contained or they will expend all their energy spreading out under the surface, and soon will have underground runners all over the pond. The night time temps should normally be around 70 degrees.
trois
This message was edited Jul 12, 2005 6:49 AM
welcome to DG!
i am a novice gardener, and also interested in what our experienced friends here have to say. bumping this up.
trois, wow, night time temps around 70F. no wonder mine haven't grown like crazy, but seem to be really happy after a warm spell. thanks.
Mines in a pot (I'm just cutting and pasting this from another thread)....I put aquatic plant tabs in with a mix of 1/4 sandy clay, 1/4 well rotted sheep manure, and 1/2 top soil.
The manure I used had no smell at all and looked like black dirt.........very, very well aged.
Basic Guide To Growing
Lotuses
by Kit Knotts -
Growing lotuses (Nelumbo) can be easy and fun either from tuber or from seed. If you grow from tuber, you will have an exact duplicate of the parent, in many cases a named cultivar. If growing from seed, please keep in mind that, even if a name comes with the seeds, the offspring will be quite variable because of the genetics involved and they can't retain the cultivar name.
Your tuber should be firm and have a healthy growing tip. Be very careful not to damage the tip as they are quite fragile and critical to growing the plant. Choose round containers for lotuses so future runners don't get jammed in square corners. Soil can be anything readily available but avoid potting soils which contain light materials that will float away. Plant your lotus tuber in the soil with the growing tip at soil level and pointed toward the center of the pot. Fertilize regularly during the growing season with tablets designed for aquatic plants.
Lotuses can be grown in the main pond, a separate small pond, or self contained in decorative pots for the patio or deck. Water over the pot or soil in the container should be at least 8" deep. If growing in the pond, be sure that runners don't escape the container and invade the pond. They can overwhelm other pond plants.
With some varieties, it can take several years for them to bloom, and this can also be dependent on your location. In the meantime, you can enjoy the spectacular foliage, almost enough by itself!
I purchased two lotuses from our local water garden center three years ago. I put a heater in the ponds they are in to prevent ice from forming over the entire surface in the winter and put the lotuses in the bottom of the deepest part of the pond. (mine are about 18" deep). When the days are consistantly warm the leaves will begin to grow and the first ones will be small and not stand up. They float on the top of the water like a lily. After the beginning of June when warm tepms can be relied upon I raise the lotuses so that only about 2" of water covers the soil. The upright leaves begin to grow and in late mid-summer I have beautiful blooms. I feed the lotuses as directed on the bottle monthly from the time I raise the containers thru the season. When I winterize the ponds I cut the leaves back to 2" or so and lower the containers to the bottom of the ponds again till the next spring.