If you don’t have a metal file handy, you can use any sharp knife or even rub the seed against concrete. Just be careful not to scrape away too much of the seed.
After a day of soaking, the seeds will sink to the bottom and swell to nearly twice their original size. Seeds that float are almost always infertile. Remove them or they will cloud up the water. Change the water daily, even after the seeds have started to sprout. When you remove the seedlings to change the water, treat the sprouts with care – they are very delicate.
Ideally, your soil should be 2 parts clay and 1 part river sand. If you use commercial potting soil to topsoil for houseplants, it will float to the surface once you submerge your tub in water. [5] X Research source Make sure the container you choose does not have any drainage holes. The plant may gravitate toward the drainage hole and begin growing outside of it, causing the plant to underperform.
If you wait too long, your seedlings will start to grow leaves. You can still plant them – just take care to keep the leaves free of the soil. [7] X Research source
It can be a good idea to wrap a small amount of modeling clay around the bottom of each seed to anchor it with a little weight. When you lower your container into the pond, an unanchored seed may find its way out of the soil and float up to the surface of the water.
The water should be at least 70 °F (21 °C). If you live in an area with a relatively cooler climate, shallower water will provide extra warmth for your lotus. Lotus grown from seed rarely bloom in their first year. You should also keep fertilizer to a minimum during this first year. Allow your lotus to acclimate to its environment.
For rarer hybrids, you may have to shop online. If there is a water gardening society with a chapter near you, ask them for recommendations. Some societies also sell plants themselves. [11] X Research source
If you’re planning on moving the lotus to a pond, use water from the pond (as long as it’s warm enough). Change the water every 3 to 7 days, or if it starts to appear cloudy.
A deep container will decrease the chance that your lotus spills over the top and spreads across the pond. Round containers keep your lotus from getting jammed up in a corner, which can stunt or kill the plant.
You can also use amended soil, with a separate layer of sand 2 to 3 inches (5. 1 to 7. 6 cm) deep on top. Make sure there is still sufficient space between the top of the sand layer and the rim of your container.
Do not bury the tuber completely in the soil – it will rot. Make sure it’s embedded only slightly at the surface.
Once seated in the pond, the tuber plants itself by turning downward into the soil mixture and growing roots.
The lotus will start to send up leaves after a few days in water above 70 °F (21 °C). It blooms after 3 to 4 weeks in water above 80 °F (27 °C). Check your water temperature every other day. If you live in a cooler climate, you may need a heater for your pond to maintain the appropriate temperature. [18] X Research source
In North America, the lotus typically blooms from mid-June or mid-July through early autumn. The blossoms open early in the morning and start closing mid-afternoon. Individual blossoms last 3 to 5 days, then molt. The process repeats through the remaining months of active growth.
Never cut flower or leaf stems below water level. Roots and tubers use stems for oxygen. [21] X Research source
Small lotus varieties only need 2 tablets, while larger varieties may need as many as 4. Add fertilizer once every 3 or 4 weeks, stopping in mid-July. If you continue to fertilize your lotus past this point, it won’t be able to prepare for dormancy. If you grew your lotus from seed, don’t fertilize it during its first year.
Liquid pesticides, even organic ones, have oils and detergents that can damage your lotus.
If your pond is relatively shallow, you can remove the container and leave it in a garage or basement until spring. Mulch around any above-ground pots to keep the tubers warm.
If your lotus took over your pond the previous year, inspect the container for cracks. You may want to get a larger container to better hold the lotus, if it grew over the rim.
