How to fertilize lotus root? What fertilizer to use?

The lotus root plant is huge, has strong fertilizer tolerance, prefers a warm environment, and requires a temperature of 20 to 30°C and a water temperature of 21 to 25°C during its growth period. Generally, areas with abundant water resources are more suitable for aquatic plants such as lotus roots. Although lotus roots grow in water, fertilization is also very important. Let’s learn how to fertilize lotus roots. What fertilizer to use?

1. Base fertilizer

Basal fertilizer is essential for the growth of lotus root, as it provides the nutrients needed for the entire growth cycle. The base fertilizer is mainly farmyard manure, supplemented by chemical fertilizer. Generally, 2500~3000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure, 25 kg of diammonium phosphate, 10-15 kg of potassium sulfate, 50-100 kg of quicklime , 50 kg of superphosphate, 150 kg of cake fertilizer are applied per mu, and fertilizers such as calcium, boron, and zinc are also applied.

2. Topdressing

Lotus root needs to be fertilized in time during its growth process. When erect leaves begin to appear, apply 750-1000 kg of fermented human manure fertilizer or 50 kg of ammonium bicarbonate or 50 kg of multi-component fertilizer per mu. The second fertilization should be carried out when 5 to 6 erect leaves appear, with about 1,000 kg of human manure fertilizer or 50 kg of compound fertilizer and 40 kg of biological organic compound fertilizer. When the terminal leaves appear, which is also when the lotus roots just begin to form, apply 1,500 kg of human manure and urine fertilizer and 30 to 50 kg of cake fertilizer per mu.

3. Foliar fertilization

During the growth process of lotus root, in addition to soil fertilization, foliar fertilization can also be carried out, such as spraying urea, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc., to quickly replenish nutrients.

4. Fertilization method

Lotus root fertilizer can be applied by broadcasting, ball application and hole application. Broadcasting means spreading the fertilizer evenly in the lotus pond before planting and then deep plowing; ball application means mixing fertilizer and soil into a mud ball and applying it; hole application means making the fertilizer into a fertilizer soil ball and applying it into the planting hole.

5. Notes

Fertilization should be carried out in clear and windless weather, and avoid applying fertilizer at noon under the scorching sun. Before applying fertilizer, the water in the lotus pond should be drained to allow the fertilizer to seep into the pond mud, and then water should be filled after applying fertilizer. Avoid using liquid fertilizers as this may cause nutrient loss. When applying top dressing, chemical fertilizers should be mixed with the soil, made into fertilizer balls and buried in the soil to facilitate absorption.

6. Fertilization time

Base fertilizer is applied during deep plowing in winter, accounting for about 60% of the total base fertilizer. Apply 20% of the remaining basal fertilizer 15 days before planting lotus roots, and apply the remaining basal fertilizer when planting lotus roots.

To sum up, these are the key points about fertilizer requirements for lotus root growth. Before planting lotus root, you can understand the fertilizer requirements of lotus root. In addition, after fertilizing, you must also manage it in a timely manner.