Planting lotus tuber using the rock method

This is one method I've used with repeated success for plantling lotus. This has worked for me in my zone.

I use a lotus container which I've purchased from Lowe's in their water garden area. I've used other containers that are taller and hold much more soil; however, this pot is what I've found the easiest for me to move around and the lotus seem to do fine with less soil. I do use aquatic fertilizer tabs.

*If you are growing lotus in a shallow pond that will be exposed to strong, winds you may wish to consider a larger pot with more soil. I have heard of these being blown over during storms.

This is roughly about 24 inches across.

Depth is about 7 inches

This is the form of plant identification method I use. I use a slat that came from a discarded PLASTIC window blind. I use a permanent marker like 'Sharpie' to write the information on the slat. I'll often write date planted, name of plant and who or where I got the plant.

I like using the PLASTIC slat because once it's covered with soil it doesn't float away or come lose. It won't cut your pond liner, your hands, feet or mating fish that are thrashing about like some metal forms of plant I.D. can.

I use regular garden soil that has not been exposed to chemicals. Some common garden chemicals can be toxic to fish.

I have used topsoil from a bag; however, make sure you don't get a bag that has the little white dots in it. DO NOT use potting soil it is too light and will just float away and make a mess as well as clogging up the filter on a pump.

I place my lotus tuber(s) with the first growing tip(s) in the center of the container. (Someone taught me to do this, and everything else I read says the same).

This message was edited Mar 29, 2009 10:31 PM

Once I have my tubers where I want them, I'll place some rocks across them to hold them in place. Next, I add some water to the container. Provided the weather is nice I'll let the container stay outside. If snow or a freeze is predicted, I'll move them inside the garage where it stays above freezing.

Once the weather is warmed up they can go outside again. Around our last average frost date the containers go into the pond. I slowly let them take on water gradually. I also have a few extra rocks in case the lotus seem to need more weight to hold them down.

There are no koi in the pond where my lotus grow. Koi are known for rooting around in pots. You may want to look at other methods that involve pea gravel if you have koi in your water garden.

This message was edited Mar 29, 2009 10:51 PM