Lotus planting methods and precautions

When to plant lotus

Lotus is an aquatic plant that likes to grow in shallow water, lakes, swamps, and ponds with steady water flow. Its water requirement varies according to the variety. Ancient lotus and red thousand-leaf plants are slightly larger and grow relatively deeper in water, but not more than 1.7 meters. The water depth for small and medium-sized plants is 20-60 centimeters, which is suitable for planting in spring.

How to plant lotus

The lotus can be repotted in March and April. If it is too early, it will suffer frost damage. When planting, the top of the lotus root should be inserted obliquely into the soil along the edge of the pot, with a depth of about 5 cm. The depth of large lotus should be 10 cm. After planting, place the pot in the sun, water it in small amounts, and gradually deepen the water level after it sprouts.

1. Water quality: Lotus is an aquatic plant and needs to be watered frequently during its growth period. In the early stage, the water layer can be controlled at about three centimeters. Too deep water is not conducive to raising the soil temperature. If tap water is used, it needs to be dried in advance. During the vigorous growth period in summer, the pot must not be short of water. After winter, the potting soil should also be kept moist.

2. Fertilization: If you apply enough basal fertilizer when planting lotus, you don’t need to apply fertilizer throughout the year. If not, you should mainly use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, supplemented by nitrogen fertilizers. Decomposed cake fertilizer and chicken, duck and goose manure are the most ideal fertilizers. Remember not to apply too much fertilizer.

3. Overwintering: After winter, move the flower pots to a warm room, or bury them under the permafrost. In low temperature areas, in addition to burying them under the permafrost, they should also be covered with plastic film to enhance the warming effect. The soil should be kept moist throughout the winter.

Lotus maintenance and management precautions

If lotus is not properly maintained, it is easy to be infected with diseases and pests. Common diseases are black spot and rot. In the early stage of the disease, spray carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl for prevention and control. Also, trim the diseased leaves and burn them in one place. Common insect pests are fall armyworm and aphids. Remove the insect leaves and destroy them in time, and spray methyl parathion and dichlorvos.