How to manage ginger lotus during its dormancy period

1. Cut off dead branches and leaves

For potted ginger lotus, the dead flowers and branches should be cut off in time after the flowers wither. This will ensure that nutrients are fully supplied to the plant and the bottom of the rhizome will slowly grow into a spherical shape. In winter, when the temperature is low, cut off the remaining leaves of the ginger lotus and place it in an environment with a room temperature above 10℃. You can spend the winter safely. For ginger lotus planted in green space, dig out its rhizomes in late autumn, wrap the roots with peat ash and store them indoors at a temperature above 10°C. Then you can plant it again in green space in the spring of the following year.

2. Proper lighting

Potted ginger lotus should also absorb sunlight appropriately during its dormant period. When the temperature is relatively high around noon and there is plenty of sunshine, the ginger lotus should be moved to a place where it can be exposed to sunlight to absorb it. It can also be moved outdoors for sunlight.

3. Proper ventilation

During the dormant period, ginger lotus grown indoors needs to be ventilated every few days. In the afternoon when the weather is good and the temperature is high, you can open the windows for ventilation. Do not place the ginger lotus near the vent when ventilating, otherwise it will affect its growth and development. It can also be placed outdoors for ventilation.

4. Storage of bulbs

At the end of November, the ginger lotus will stop growing and the bulbs will enter a dormant period. The bulbs must be dug out, wrapped with sawdust ash and placed in a plastic bag. Store in a humid and ventilated environment.

5. Suitable temperature

Ginger lotus is a tropical plant that grows in high temperature environments. When planting potted ginger lotus indoors in winter, keep the indoor temperature above 10℃. When the temperature is below 10℃, ginger lotus will suffer from frostbite or root rot.

After the potted ginger lotus enters the dormant period, you should stop fertilizing and reduce watering appropriately.

Before replanting the bulbs in the second year, they must first germinate in an environment of about 30℃, and can only be planted again after germination. It usually blooms in two to three months.