Growing lotuses is easy.Start by building a pond large enough to hold your plants.If you plan on stocking the pond with fish, you'll need to install a filter.It's wise to grow lotuses in containers in order to keep them out of the pond.You should see gorgeous blooms in about 4 weeks with warm water and air temperatures.
Step 1: The pond gets at least 8 hours of sun per day.
The pond should be in an area that gets a lot of light.It's best to have lots of sun in the morning and shade from the hot afternoon sun.Shade in the afternoon helps protect plants from getting too much sunlight.Don't dig the pond directly beneath the canopy of trees.Roots can get in the way of excavation if leaves and other debris soil the water.Pick a site that is close to your back door or patio.The pond may be neglected if it is out of sight.You won't be able to enjoy your blooms or the trickle of a fountain feature if you install one.
Step 2: There is an 8 to 24 in deep hole for the pond.
If you live in a warm climate and are only growing lotus plants in the pond, a depth of about 8 in (20 cm) is fine.If you plan on keeping fish in the pond, you should dig a hole with a minimum depth of 18 in (46 cm).If your plants and fish need to get through a cold winter, at least one side of the pond should be below frost depth.The pond's other dimensions are dependent on the number of plants and fish you keep.A lotus needs about 2 feet of space.The pond should be at least 40 ft (1.13 m) in size.For an 18 in (46 cm) deep pond, that equates to a length and width of 7 by 4 ft.You should be able to dig a 7 by 4 by 1 2 ft (2.13 by 1.22 by 0.46 m) hole without power tools, but a larger pond may require excavation equipment.
Step 3: Use rubber or plastic to line the pond.
preformed plastic pond liners are the least expensive option, but they aren't very durable and are harder to work with.Synthetic rubber pond liner is the best option.Products labeled for ponds are toxic to fish and plants.At home improvement stores, look for pond liners.Cut your liner to fit the pond and overlap the edges.The excess liner should be buried around the pond's edges to hide and weigh down the material.The liner will keep water out of the ground.
Step 4: If you're not using pots, add 4 in (10 cm) of sand, clay, andfertilizer.
If you're planting lotuses directly into the pond, you should add a dense mix of sand, clay, and slow-release aquatic plant fertilization to the bottom.To help weight the mixture down, cover it with a thin layer of sand or gravel.The pond should not be lined with garden soil because it will float and muddy the water.If you keep fish in the pond, you should plant your lotuses in pots to control their growth.Keeping the water clean will be less work if you plant your lotuses in containers.If you live in a cooler climate, you should not plant directly into the pond.Slow-release aquatic plant fertilization can be found online or at a garden center.Use the instructions on the label.If you're stocking the pond with fish, make sure to purchase a fish-safefertilizer.Even if you're planting lotuses in containers, you can still cover the pond's bottom with gravel or sand and line the edges with river rocks.Don't stretch or tear the pond liner when you add soil or rocks.
Step 5: Water from a hose can be used to fill the pond.
Don't use too much pressure when you add water because it will cause sand and soil to be disturbed and muddy the water.Before adding plants or fish, let the tap water stand for a week.The tap water stand lowers chlorine levels.If you're stocking the pond with fish, you should test the water with a store-bought test kit.
Step 6: If you're keeping fish in the pond, change the water.
If necessary, lower chlorine, ammonia, and nitrite levels to 0 parts per million and bring the pH to neutral.Water test kits and amendments can be found at pet stores and garden centers.It takes a little more work to treat the water because fish are more sensitive to high ammonia and nitrite levels.If you're only growing lotuses, let the water stand for a week.You can add a store-bought dechlorinator to the water if chlorine is still present after a week.
Step 7: To maintain your pond's water quality, install an aerator.
It's wise to install a fountain or bubbler if you're keeping fish in the pond.It will help keep the pond water stagnant and deter nuisances.If you keep fish in the pond, the aerator will keep them from dying.If you want the most reliable product, you'll need an electrician to install a power line to the pond.
Step 8: If you're stocking the pond with fish, you should invest in a filter.
If you want your fish to be healthy, you should install a mechanical or biological pond filtration system.Ask an employee at a garden center if they can recommend the right products for your pond's size.There are all-in-one kits with mechanical filters.The starter colonies of healthybacteria are also necessary, but they are usually sold separately.After you add the biological media to the pond, you'll have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for thebacteria to grow.The pond can hold 2 lbs of fish per 100 US gal of water.
Step 9: Once the water temperature reaches 70 F, you can plant your lotuses.
Once the pond has a warm water temperature and the daytime high is over 70 F, you can plant lotuses.If you want to warm the water faster, you could use a pond or aquarium heater.Once the water and daytime air temperatures reach 70 F, lotus plants will begin to grow.
Step 10: To control your plants' growth, use 2 to 3 ft containers.
Lotuses will take over the entire pond if you don't contain them.To maintain the water quality and keep fish and other plants healthy, plant individual lotus plants in separate 2 ft (0.61 m) wide containers.You can find wide and shallow containers for lotuses online or at a garden center.Square corners would choke the plant, so choose a round container.Standard aquatic plant basket meshes won't control lotuses' growth and could hurt the roots.To make sure the lotuses are contained, go for containers with no drainage holes.Black containers help keep lotus plants at a comfortable temperature between 75 and 85 F.Black is not invisible.You have the option of choosing other materials, such as terracotta.
Step 11: Place a 1 2 in hole in the soil.
If you're using a container, cover the bottom with sand, clay, and aquatic plant fertilization.If you're planting directly into the pond, dig a shallow hole in the soil mixture for the lotus tuber.To give the tuber room to grow, dig a hole in the center of the container.If you're planting directly into the pond, placing the tubers along the edges in 2 to 3 ft intervals will encourage them to spread.If you're planting directly into the pond, make sure you don't disturb the soil or muddy the water.You can't plant the tubers directly into the pond, but you can fill it with water.It takes time to dechlorinate and heat up the water.
Step 12: The tuber should be placed in the hole.
The tuber should be placed in the shallow hole with the growing tips facing up.The growing tips won't be covered by soil if the tuber is positioned horizontally.Then gently cover the tuber with a layer of soil mixture and weigh it down with sand or gravel so it doesn't float.The growing tips look like buds.There is a round end to the tuber.
Step 13: If you used one, submerge it.
After planting a lotus tuber in a container, set the pot into the pond so the top of the soil is below the water.If the pond is shallow, put the container on top of bricks.If the soil is not covered by more than 2 to 4 in of water, lotuses can grow up to 18 in (46 cm) deep.You can plant lotuses in individual containers if you're stocking the pond.The more lotuses and other plants you grow, the less damage individual plants will incur.
Step 14: During the growing season,fertilize your lotuses once a month.
Lotuses need to be fertilized frequently during the summer.Once a month until mid-fall, apply liquid or tablet aquatic plant fertilization according to your product's instructions.If you're keeping fish in the pond, make sure to use fish-safe fertilization.Immediate-release products will encourage blooms.
Step 15: Take care of the yellow or brown foliage above the water's surface.
The lotuses will bloom about 4 weeks after planting if the water and daytime air temperatures remain above 70 F.Pruning shears can be used to remove spent blooms and yellow leaves from a growing shoot.To prevent soiling the water, clip spent foliage as soon as you notice it.Pruning below the water's could hurt your lotuses.
Step 16: There is a monitor.
The water's temperature is the most important factor when growing lotuses.If the plants are growing well, keep the temperature between 75 and 85 F.You can heat the water with a pond or aquarium heater.If you're keeping fish in the pond, it's a good idea to test the water monthly.If necessary, amend the water to keep the pH neutral, ammonia and nitrate levels low.At a pet store that sells aquatic animals, you can find suitable heaters and water amendments.
Step 17: It is possible to control pests with an oil-free, biological insecticide.
lotuses can be damaged by oil or detergent-based pesticides.It's a good idea to sprinkle a Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) into the water for most pests.
Step 18: During the winter, protect your lotuses from frost.
Cut back plants' foliage after the season is over.Hard frosts need to be protected from the tuber.Move the container to the frost-proof depth if you've dug an end of the pond deeper than 32 in.Move the container to a dark place if you didn't build a deep end into the pond.The tubers don't dry out if the soil is moist.