This will be my first year with a lotus (Mrs. Perry D. Slocum). Do they tolerate a 0.1% salt level in pond water or should I make a partial water change? This is a 2000 gal koi pond with seven rowdy koi. I usually give the pond its annual vacuming and a partial water change (25%) in mid may. Currently the lotus is in a tub in a greenhouse. It has two shoots and one leaf. Water temperatures here are avg about 65 deg. When will it be safe to put it in the pond?
newbie with a nelumbo and salt sensitivity question
I dont know about salt sensitivity and lotus ? But I would think it would be more at risk from the koi. Unless you protect it of course.
Regarding temp...my lotus stay outside all year but the new ones that I start in my cool greenhouse I dont like to move them outside until the temps are warm enough to not shock the plant. This might not be necessary but its just my precaution. I've read 70 degrees for tropical lilies so I think that would be a safe bet for the lotus also :)
charlotte
Thanks Charlotteda. I will follow your advice on the temp. The koi will be a problem probably but I am going to give it a try. The raccoon will get in there too and I suppose the mallards that have taken up residence will get their share. The place I purchased the tuber from said salt to .01% was ok. References on the net said zero salt tolerance. As far as the koi go the lotus tub will be sitting up on a ledge in a foot of water where the biggest koi can't navigate. It will have about five or six inches of water over the soil in the tub. That sound about right to you? I can move it up or down some but not much. The pond is oval 20 ft. I think this thing if I am successful will have about a twelve foot spread. If it isnt munched to death. If I get lucky I will post a pic. If I dont, well I'll probably still post a pic. Might as well share the failures too. :)
I just checked the rain guage. Two inches in the last two hours and still going strong. I won't have .01% salt now! I may have koi up on the patio by morning! LOL
WOW...we really need rain.
Yes your depth sounds good...lotus dont want to be too deep during the summer..though folks in cold regions like yours move them deep for winter.
I dont have koi but have heard from others that they like to dig in the soil. Since lotus are so picky about having their roots disturbed this could be a serious problem. It would be good if you could put some type of netting (maybe even some of the black nylon stuff from the Walmart sewing dept) over the surface of the soil to protect it from the fish.
Good luck...dont wash those koi down this way...its too dry !
Great idea with the netting. I am also going to try to wall off the lotus tub on the ledge with river stones. I think I can leave large enough gaps to allow good water circulation but not fish circulation. Ever try black nylon screening to line water plant pots with? Lasts forever, is totally nonreactive in the water and keeps the soil in the pot. With your help I just may succeed with this thing. The koi might head your way on their own to warm up. Heavy rains have stopped but the temps dropped from 70 to 45. Looks like it is going to be an entire week of unseasonably cold and wet weather. The nelumbo is definitely staying in the greenhouse.
My lotus are outside but it is unseasonably cool here too.
They all have floating pads and the Mrs. Perry D. Slocum has a couple of aerials up but the smaller ones especially really need some warm temps.
Good luck with your lotus..they are fascinating plants.
charlotte