Nelumbo aka Lotus

Lotus  belong to the genus Nelumbo.  They are further divided into two species Nelumbo lutea and Nelumbo nucifera. Nelumbo lutea is the native American species while Nelumbo nucifera is Asian.  The Asian species are also referred to as sacred or hindu lotus.

Flowers are open for 3 days.  They generally open early in the morning and close around noon.  On the fourth day the petals drop off.  If the stem is allowed to remain, a seed head develops. It looks like a shower head and eventually tips toward the ground and expells the seeds if the flower was pollinated. 

Leaves are round with smooth edges and range from quite small to over two feet across.  They are green or bluish green and water resistant. Any water that may splash on the leaves, beads up and runs off. If the leaf is held under water small air bubbles arise from the area where the stem attaches. This is the breathing tube for the plant and if air movement is inhibited the plant may drown. 

Tubors are critical to success with lotus. The tubors resemble a string of light colored sausages. Roots, leaves, and flowers grow from the nodes between the tubers. This area is very fragile as is the growing tip and if nicked or bruised may doom the plant. Tubers grow aggressively and could grow across a lake if not contained in a circular pot.
 
Culture: Lotus require 5-6 hours of sun daily and a consistent temperature of 75-85 degrees F. for three months to bloom. They also require frequent and heavy fertilizing and water to keep the planting medium wet. They do not thrive in climates that are very hot and dry, or in cool climates.

Grooming is required to maintain appearance. If you want the decorative seed pods, do not remove the stem of spent flowers. If you do not want the seed head cut it off above the water line to prevent drowning the plant. When leaves deteriorate, cut them off above the water line at any time.

Pests are usually limited to aphids and require a stream of water to wash them off the plant. There have been some reports of diseases. For a further discussion see the Speichert book listed below.