When is the best time to plant lotus?

More and more gardening enthusiasts choose to grow water lilies at home, not only because the flowers of water lilies are beautiful, but also because their leaves are highly ornamental. Especially in the hot summer, looking at the green lotus leaves can bring people a special sense of coolness. So when is the best time to plant water lilies?

When is the best time to plant lotus?

If you live in the south, as the temperature gradually warms up, it is recommended to start planting water lilies in early March to early April. If you sow the seeds during this period, the water lilies will quickly take root and sprout, and will bloom from mid-June to early July. If managed properly, the flowering period can continue until August or even September. After about 60 days, your water lily will be full of flowers. Throughout the summer, the flowers and green leaves of the water lily will bring you a unique cooling experience. If the planting time is too late, the flowering period may be shortened because the arrival of autumn means the end of the bowl lotus growth cycle. In addition, late-planted water lilies may stop growing under the high temperatures of summer, resulting in poor leaf development and affecting the formation and opening of flower buds. Therefore, gardening enthusiasts in the south, now is the best time to plant water lilies. Act quickly and don’t miss this wonderful season.

If you are in the northern region, although the temperature has begun to rise, it fluctuates greatly and the temperature difference between morning and evening is significant. It is recommended not to rush to plant water lilies for the time being. You can wait until the end of March to mid-April, when the temperature is stable and the minimum temperature remains above ten degrees, before planting. The new leaves of the bowl lotus planted at this time grow rapidly and can grow smoothly. If planted properly, your water lily will bloom in about 60 to 90 days, around mid-July, and the flowering period can last until August. Planting too early may result in stunted growth of new leaves, as large temperature differences or low temperatures can affect their growth. When gardening enthusiasts in the north grow water lilies, they may encounter the situation where new leaves are damaged by frost as soon as they grow out. Therefore, when planting bowl lotus in the north, you should wait patiently for suitable environmental conditions to ensure successful planting.

How to plant lotus

Seed preparation: The seeds of water lily have a hard shell and need to be processed in advance before soaking. With the seed pointed downward, gently break the husk, being careful not to damage the seed inside and not to completely remove the husk.

Soaking and germination: Soak the treated seeds in warm water at 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, changing the water three times a day. After about a week, the seeds will begin to sprout. After germination, place the seeds in a sunny place and keep them moist. They can be sown after they grow thin roots and a few tender leaves.

When to plant: Plant the seeds root side down in the soil and add water to a depth of 5 to 15 cm, making sure the leaves float on the water surface.

Daily management: Place the water lily in an environment with sufficient light, but be careful to provide shade in strong sunlight to prevent damage to the seedlings. As the water lily grows, gradually increase the amount of water. When applying fertilizer, it is recommended to use organic fertilizers such as decomposed oil residue and bean cake.

In short, the planting time of bowl lotus mentioned in the article is not absolute. You can refer to it flexibly, such as the environment and temperature of your specific location to determine the planting time.