How to Plant Lotus and Water Lilies: a Practical Guide

Welcome to the practical guide on how to plant lotus and water lilies. These aquatic plants are known for their beauty and serenity, adding an exquisite touch to any water body. This guide will walk you through the process of planting and maintaining these elegant plants.

Choosing the ideal location for lotus and water lilies

Importance of sunlight

These aquatic plants require at least 7 hours of sun exposure each day to bloom properly. A suitable location would be a place where they are exposed to plenty of direct sunlight throughout the day.

Favorable water conditions

Lotuses and water lilies thrive in still or very gently flowing water bodies. They can be planted in ponds, artificial lakes, or slow-moving streams.

Moving on to the next crucial step, let’s discuss how to prepare your soil and pots for plantation.

Preparing the soil and pots for planting

Type of Soil

To ensure healthy growth, use only aquatic compost as your planting medium. Regular horticultural soil is too nutrient-rich and stimulates algae proliferation which may harm your plants.

Pot preparation

The pot should have ample space to accommodate the rhizome under the water surface. Lotus pots should be wide enough for the long-stemmed flowers.

Now that our ground is ready, we can proceed with sowing our seeds correctly.

Planting lotus and water lily seeds correctly

Sowing period

You should plant your lotus and water lily seeds between March 15th and October 15th. It is advisable to sow immediately after purchasing the seeds to ensure optimal flowering.

Sowing process

The rhizomes should be fully immersed in water. The plants will start sprouting from these rhizomes, which will eventually form beautiful flowers both above and below the water surface.

Up next, we learn how to position our planted pots correctly.

Positioning the pots in the pond or lake

Lotus positioning

For lotuses, the pot should be placed such that the plant’s leaves and flowers can rise between 60 and 150 cm above the water surface.

Water Lily Positioning

Water lilies, on the other hand, have a relatively shorter growth span. They are more suited to shallower water bodies or the shallow ends of ponds and lakes.

Let’s now focus on how to replant and firm up our aquatic plants effectively.

Replanting and firming up aquatic plants carefully

The method of repotting

This involves gently removing the plant from its original pot without damaging its root system, then placing it in a larger pot filled with suitable aquatic compost.

Firming up process

Adequate firming up helps stabilize your plants within their new environment. Firm soil prevents your plants from being dislodged easily by fish or water movement.

The right depth plays an important role in the good development of our plants.

Adequate depth for good development

Maintaining adequate depth

In order to protect your lotus and water lily rhizomes from freezing during winter, it is crucial to maintain an adequate water level at all times.

Adjustment

If necessary, adjust the depth of your pots according to the growth of your aquatic plants. Remember that lotuses prefer deeper waters while water lilies prefer shallower ends.

Regular maintenance is key to keep our aquatic plants healthy and blooming.

Regular care of aquatic plants

Water Quality Control

To prevent harmful algal bloom, ensure that the quality of your pond or lake water is well maintained.

Winter Care

In winter, although lotus and water lilies are hardy, they need protection from freezing temperatures. Ensure their rhizomes are well submerged in water throughout this period for optimal growth in spring.

To wrap up, planting lotus and water lilies not only enhances the visual appeal but also plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem. By following this guide, you stand a high chance of growing spectacular flowers that will enrich your outdoor space. This rewarding experience requires carefully choosing the right location, preparing the soil properly, positioning the pots correctly in your pond or lake, replanting with care and maintaining your plants regularly. Follow these steps to ensure a beautiful bloom during flowering season from June to September.