Lotus?

john_ny · 02-26-2009, 09:44 AM

I would like to know if it's possible to grow a lotus, indoors, in a tub. The tub is 19 inches diameter, and 17 inches deep, and I have a spot where it can get lots of light, and is nice and warm. Is this possible?

Tog Tan · 02-26-2009, 11:57 AM

I have actually tried doing this under my car porch which was brightly lit. The lotus didn't bloom and they died out. I have tried shade growing water lily hybrid under this condition and they were flowering well. Here I am referring to the tropical ones. Most of the lotus which bloom well are are grown in the hot full sun here.

Chironex · 02-26-2009, 05:22 PM

Lotuses and water lillies are the most beautiful flowers to me. I want to learn how to grow them here in Las Vegas, if possible. Any suggestions?

island cassie · 02-26-2009, 06:56 PM

John, Scot - never tried to grow them myself, but in China they grow them in full sun in paddies like rice. lol Not sure what help this is but it was interesting to see.

Chironex · 02-27-2009, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island cassie

John, Scot - never tried to grow them myself, but in China they grow them in full sun in paddies like rice. lol Not sure what help this is but it was interesting to see.

Thank, it sure does help. I am moving to China.

Richard · 02-27-2009, 01:43 AM

So I'm guessing we are not talking about the real Lotus: Diospyros lotus.

Chironex · 02-27-2009, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

So I'm guessing we are not talking about the real Lotus: Diospyros lotus.

Affirmative, or at least in my case that's correct. Although figs are cool.

bepah · 02-27-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chironex

Lotuses and water lillies are the most beautiful flowers to me. I want to learn how to grow them here in Las Vegas, if possible. Any suggestions?

Assuming that you have a pond, there are a couple of things that will lead to success.

First, lotus are heavy feeders. I have mine in a watergarden that serves as a nitrate trap in my Koi pond.

Lotus cannot handle direct sun, especially in LV sun. Give them filtered sun and they will do well

Please the roots under abouy 3 inches of gravel in 9-12 inches of water and stand back. Once the water reaches 60 degrees they will start to bud and once it reaches 70 they will really grow.

Do not let the water get stagnant. Make sure the water is moving all of the time.

Good luck!

Tog Tan · 02-27-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bepah

Assuming that you have a pond, there are a couple of things that will lead to success.

First, lotus are heavy feeders. I have mine in a watergarden that serves as a nitrate trap in my Koi pond.

Lotus cannot handle direct sun, especially in LV sun. Give them filtered sun and they will do well

Please the roots under abouy 3 inches of gravel in 9-12 inches of water and stand back. Once the water reaches 60 degrees they will start to bud and once it reaches 70 they will really grow.

Do not let the water get stagnant. Make sure the water is moving all of the time.

Good luck!

John,

I do not mean to contradict you. Perhaps the temperate species/varieties are different from ours here. In M'sia, lotus are found mainly in stagnant water bodies in the full sun. The folks harvest the seed as a delicacy here. In Thailand, the best looking ones are found in the catchment area of the monsoon drains where the water is stagnant and super stinky.

john_ny · 02-27-2009, 10:26 AM

Thanks for that information, John. When I posted the original question, I was thinking about people soaking seeds, or rooting cuttings in water, where they mention changing water every day, or every couple of days. I was wondering whether I would have to do that. Does anyone know if putting an aquarium air stone in the tub would help?

john_ny · 02-27-2009, 10:29 AM

Tog - Thanks for your reply, also. Of course, in the house, I wouldn't want stinky water, so if anyone has any suggestions for keeping the water sweet, please let me know. Thanks.

Richard · 02-27-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chironex

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

So I'm guessing we are not talking about the real Lotus: Diospyros lotus.

Affirmative, or at least in my case that's correct. Although figs are cool.

The genus Diospyros contains Persimmons, Black Sapote, and Lotus -- the famed fruit from Homer's transcribed tale of the Lotus eaters in The Odyssey. The Diospyros lotus is native to parts of present-day Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and the foothills along the southern rim of the Himalayas. Although most D. lotus are very high in tanins, the subspecies near the Caspian sea has negligible quantities in the fruit and is said to have a sophoric effect. Note that Diospyros is in the Ebony family which contains a large number of poisonous plants. The tree bark alone of most species is enough to stun fish.

Ueberwinden · 02-27-2009, 11:19 AM

I can confirm that once lotus get established, they can take over. I have a friend/fellow gardener who's sister called him sort of upset. They thought it would be nice to put a few lotus in their pond. Well now she wants him to remove them because the horses can't get to the water to drink. I don't mind because I am hopefuly still going to get free lotus this spring. He has his in a bog that he dug out 3-4 feet deep, then placed a liner on the bottom and refilled it will soil, It was absolutely beautiful.

Michael

island cassie · 02-27-2009, 11:47 AM

Tog - your lotus sound like the ones I saw in China.

Tog Tan · 02-27-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_ny

Tog - Thanks for your reply, also. Of course, in the house, I wouldn't want stinky water, so if anyone has any suggestions for keeping the water sweet, please let me know. Thanks.

Hey Johnny, I used to keep the lotus in Thai Dragon pots (water retaining pot with an embossed dragon on its side) which are 2.5 ft in diameter and 1.5ft deep. They were kept in the open and they did alright. For mosquito larvae control, a couple of guppies will do. Any soil will do as they root very well. I used the old leaves as fert which is very effective. I had no success in the shade at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by island cassie

Tog - your lotus sound like the ones I saw in China.

Yep Cassie, stinky, yucky, turdy, messy........

saltydad · 02-27-2009, 06:03 PM

Definitely plant the lotus in a large container, round or oval, without holes. Otherwise, as noted, they will take over your pond. Don't put them in a container with corners (e.g. square, rectangular, etc.) as the growing tip will die if it gets trapped in a corner. I keep my lotus (Chuwan basu(var) - Nelumbo nucifera) in the pond year round, but trim the dead foliage and drop the containers to the bottom of the deep end for the winter. Absolutely stunning flower!!

jack hagenaars · 02-27-2009, 09:03 PM

I tried a Lotus once in my zone 8a/b...Beautiful flower,one of my favorites...unfortuneately they require at least 8 weeks of continuous warm sunny weather here,at least 24-28c before they flower....our nights here are too cool...maybe you'll have better luck with warmth there....

bepah · 02-28-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

So I'm guessing we are not talking about the real Lotus: Diospyros lotus.

I am speaking about Nelumbo nucifera.

I hope that is correct with you Scot.

bepah · 02-28-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tog Tan

John,

I do not mean to contradict you. Perhaps the temperate species/varieties are different from ours here. In M'sia, lotus are found mainly in stagnant water bodies in the full sun. The folks harvest the seed as a delicacy here. In Thailand, the best looking ones are found in the catchment area of the monsoon drains where the water is stagnant and super stinky.

Tog,

My experience is limited, as my lotus are in a water garden that serves as a nitrate trap for my Koi pond. When I replant the tubers (which I am about to do this spring), the medium reeks. Because of the high nitrate levels, that is why I culture them this way.

You are correct, I am trying to limit the true mess these plant can create in an unfiltered stagnant pond.

Thanks,

John

PT DUffy · 03-07-2009, 02:43 PM

The American Lotus(Nelumbo lutea) that grows locally is in the most Stagnant, nasty water you'd rather NOT wade through. My ASian Lotuses grow in those 20 gallon rope buckets, filled to a third with a 1:1:1 mix of Sand, peatmoss and composted Cow Manure...placed in Full Sun. Right now, with the weather warming but no Frogs making tadpoles the water is as nasty as any wild Lotus patch...
Cheers,
Pat
FWB, Florida
z8b

02-26-2009, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
john_ny Member john_ny's Photo Gallery Location: Staten Island, NY - southernmost county in NY State. Find me on the map! Zone: USDA7- Sunset34 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,014 BananaBucks : 623,450 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,057 Times Was Thanked 2,284 Times in 832 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 37 Times	Lotus? I would like to know if it's possible to grow a lotus, indoors, in a tub. The tub is 19 inches diameter, and 17 inches deep, and I have a spot where it can get lots of light, and is nice and warm. Is this possible? __________________ John

02-26-2009, 11:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tog Tan Ensete nut Tog Tan's Photo Gallery Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Name: Tog Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,757 BananaBucks : 438,973 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,011 Times Was Thanked 2,723 Times in 787 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: Lotus? I have actually tried doing this under my car porch which was brightly lit. The lotus didn't bloom and they died out. I have tried shade growing water lily hybrid under this condition and they were flowering well. Here I am referring to the tropical ones. Most of the lotus which bloom well are are grown in the hot full sun here. __________________ ____ Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

02-26-2009, 05:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 122,589 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Lotus? Lotuses and water lillies are the most beautiful flowers to me. I want to learn how to grow them here in Las Vegas, if possible. Any suggestions? __________________ Scot

02-26-2009, 06:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 386,062 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Lotus? John, Scot - never tried to grow them myself, but in China they grow them in full sun in paddies like rice. lol Not sure what help this is but it was interesting to see.

02-27-2009, 01:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 561,825 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Lotus? So I'm guessing we are not talking about the real Lotus: Diospyros lotus. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

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02-27-2009, 10:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
john_ny Member john_ny's Photo Gallery Location: Staten Island, NY - southernmost county in NY State. Find me on the map! Zone: USDA7- Sunset34 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,014 BananaBucks : 623,450 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,057 Times Was Thanked 2,284 Times in 832 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 37 Times	Re: Lotus? Thanks for that information, John. When I posted the original question, I was thinking about people soaking seeds, or rooting cuttings in water, where they mention changing water every day, or every couple of days. I was wondering whether I would have to do that. Does anyone know if putting an aquarium air stone in the tub would help? __________________ John

02-27-2009, 10:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
john_ny Member john_ny's Photo Gallery Location: Staten Island, NY - southernmost county in NY State. Find me on the map! Zone: USDA7- Sunset34 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,014 BananaBucks : 623,450 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,057 Times Was Thanked 2,284 Times in 832 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 37 Times	Re: Lotus? Tog - Thanks for your reply, also. Of course, in the house, I wouldn't want stinky water, so if anyone has any suggestions for keeping the water sweet, please let me know. Thanks. __________________ John

02-27-2009, 11:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ueberwinden Ueberwinden Ueberwinden's Photo Gallery Location: Florence, KY Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Mike Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 BananaBucks : 47,829 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 23 Times Was Thanked 158 Times in 86 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Lotus? I can confirm that once lotus get established, they can take over. I have a friend/fellow gardener who's sister called him sort of upset. They thought it would be nice to put a few lotus in their pond. Well now she wants him to remove them because the horses can't get to the water to drink. I don't mind because I am hopefuly still going to get free lotus this spring. He has his in a bog that he dug out 3-4 feet deep, then placed a liner on the bottom and refilled it will soil, It was absolutely beautiful. Michael __________________ White Horticulture Rare, Tropical, Unique

02-27-2009, 11:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 386,062 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Lotus? Tog - your lotus sound like the ones I saw in China.

02-27-2009, 06:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
saltydad saltydad's Photo Gallery Location: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Howard Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,552 BananaBucks : 186,737 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 14,712 Times Was Thanked 4,662 Times in 1,778 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 824 Times	Re: Lotus? Definitely plant the lotus in a large container, round or oval, without holes. Otherwise, as noted, they will take over your pond. Don't put them in a container with corners (e.g. square, rectangular, etc.) as the growing tip will die if it gets trapped in a corner. I keep my lotus (Chuwan basu(var) - Nelumbo nucifera) in the pond year round, but trim the dead foliage and drop the containers to the bottom of the deep end for the winter. Absolutely stunning flower!! __________________ Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men" "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon "If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal." John F. Kennedy, September, 1960 http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/ Last edited by saltydad : 02-27-2009 at 06:29 PM.

02-27-2009, 09:03 PM	#17 (permalink)
jack hagenaars jack hagenaars's Photo Gallery Location: Victoria,British Columbia Find me on the map! Zone: 8 a/b Name: Jack Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 236 BananaBucks : 51,121 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 137 Times in 83 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Lotus? I tried a Lotus once in my zone 8a/b...Beautiful flower,one of my favorites...unfortuneately they require at least 8 weeks of continuous warm sunny weather here,at least 24-28c before they flower....our nights here are too cool...maybe you'll have better luck with warmth there....

03-07-2009, 02:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
PT DUffy PT DUffy's Photo Gallery Location: Fort Walton Beach, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Pat Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 60 BananaBucks : 26,866 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Lotus? The American Lotus(Nelumbo lutea) that grows locally is in the most Stagnant, nasty water you'd rather NOT wade through. My ASian Lotuses grow in those 20 gallon rope buckets, filled to a third with a 1:1:1 mix of Sand, peatmoss and composted Cow Manure...placed in Full Sun. Right now, with the weather warming but no Frogs making tadpoles the water is as nasty as any wild Lotus patch... Cheers, Pat FWB, Florida z8b

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