Which month is better to plant lotus seeds?

Lotus seeds are long-day plants that are particularly light-loving. They grow and develop quickly and bloom early under strong light in full sunlight; they grow and develop slowly and bloom late under weak light in semi-shade. Lotus seeds like warmth, are extremely resistant to high temperatures and relatively resistant to low temperatures. The optimal temperature range for lotus growth is 22-32℃. So which month is better to plant lotus seeds?

Which month is better to plant lotus seeds?

The best time to plant lotus seeds is from April to August every year. During this period, the temperature gradually rises and stabilizes, which is conducive to the germination and growth of lotus seeds. It takes about 50 to 60 days for lotus seeds sown in spring to bloom, while it takes 60 to 80 days for lotus seeds sown in autumn.

The correct way to plant lotus seeds

1. Liantian site selection

You should choose land with irrigation conditions, abundant sunlight, thick soil and good fertility, preferably winter fallow land or green manure field. Ideal soil types include loam, clay loam and clay. Sandy loam can also be used if it is easy to irrigate. The soil pH should be controlled between 6.5 and 7. Planting should be avoided in poor sandy fields, cold-soaked fields with long-term waterlogging, or rusty water fields .

2. Lotus field arrangement

It requires fine tillage to ensure appropriate tillage depth, loose soil, flat field surface, and sufficient base fertilizer. For winter idle fields, deep plowing and ridge drying should be carried out in winter, and 2000 kg of fence fertilizer should be applied per mu. After irrigation in spring, plowing and harrowing should be carried out twice to level the field surface waiting for transplanting. Green manure fields are generally plowed and harrowed twice in late February. After the first plowing, 25 kg of lime is applied per mu to promote the decomposition of green manure. If the green manure yield exceeds 2000kg, there is no need to apply additional fertilizer; if the yield is insufficient, additional fertilizer is required.

3. Reproduction method

(1) Seed propagation

Grind the seed coat and soak the seeds for seedling cultivation. Keep the water clear and the water temperature at around 15°C. Change the water frequently. The seeds will germinate after about a week and transplant them after taking root in two weeks. Plant one plant in each pot and maintain a shallow water layer to prevent the lotus leaves from being submerged. About 90% of the plants can bloom in the same year, but the number of flowers is small.

(2) Underground stem propagation

Bury the rhizome in the mud about 10cm deep, keeping the head low and the tail high, with the tail half lifted up to prevent water from entering. After planting, place the pot in the sun until the soil surface cracks slightly, which is conducive to the combination of the lotus root and the soil. Then add a small amount of water. As the buds grow, gradually increase the water depth and eventually maintain a water layer of 3 to 5 cm.

4. Harvesting and processing

The lotus pods are suitable for harvesting when brown spots appear, the lotus seeds are slightly separated from the pores of the pods, and the peel turns purple. Too tender lotus seeds are not full and their quality will decrease after drying. According to the growth period of lotus pods, the first flowering period is about 40 days, the peak flowering period is about 35 days, and the last flowering period is about 30 days, and it can be harvested. The harvesting period is from the end of June to the end of September, and in mountainous areas it can be extended to early October. The best time to harvest is after 8 am or 5 pm, avoiding the high temperature period at noon. Pick lotus flowers row by row along a fixed route to avoid missing any. Remove lotus leaves appropriately after picking to reduce shade in the field and avoid stepping on the lotus stems and damaging the lotus leaves.

In summary, if you want lotus seeds to bloom and bear fruit in a shorter period of time, it is ideal to choose to plant them in mid-to-early April to early May. At the same time, sufficient sunlight during this period is also conducive to the growth and flowering of lotus seeds.