Anyone growing lotus?

[Stonehenge]

I started some lotus seeds recently. They sprouted and have put up some leaves. Roots are showing but the seeds are floating right now so the roots are not in the sand. I have them in a 16 gallon tub with sand in the bottom and about 8 inches of water

[Stonehenge]

My lotus aren't doing that great. They have small leaves and seem to be yellowing. I tried adding more ferts but it didn't help. There is lots and lots of algae in the water.

[dergheist]

Sounds like some parameter in your water is out of whack(Hence the Algae).  What ferts are you using and how much? Just our of curiousity, are you aerating your pond?  Lotus require oxygen getting to their roots.  Also, do you know what the pH of your water is and are you using rainwater or are you using tap?  How old are your seedlings? Here are a couple more suggestions if you are not already doing so:

Good sieved garden loam is a recommended base although some swear by pure unwashed river sand. It can be mixed with artificial fertiliser, or two parts loam can be mixed with 1 part well rotted cow manure or equal parts loam, compost and well-rotted cow manure can be used. If using cow manure and compost it is important that it not be allowed to come into direct contact with the water. Coarse ground hoof and horn or bonemeal can also be mixed in. However, it is a delicate balance because if too much nitrogen rich material or fertiliser is used, it can cause an algae bloom in the pond which will leave your fish swimming in pea-soupy water. Also, it may encourage your water lilies to over exuberant growth. If you are too stingy with fertiliser and the potted water lilies fail to thrive, a slow release fertiliser pill can be pushed into the soil near the roots.

The crowns of the lily (the part of the plant where the leaves all originate from) should be planted firmly just protruding above the surface of the soil and the soil should be covered with a layer of river sand and pebbles in order to keep the water clean. The container should be drenched, and then placed a few centimetres below the surface of the water or to where its leaves float naturally (i.e. to the level it was in the Garden Centre). If your pond is deeper, the plant will adjust as the petioles respond quite quickly to relatively small changes in depth. Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea requires about 30 cm, but no more than 90 cm. of water above its crown.

I hope this helps some.  Good Luck

[TooStonedToType]

Hey Dergheist  -  Good to see you around.

[Stonehenge]

Thanks for the tips, dergheist. I just have a little 16 gallon tub I picked up for 6 bucks. I think the algae will be inevitable with it being out in the sun. I'm using sand for the soil since I didn't want any junk floating in the water and I know most soil is full of floatable junk. I put 1/4 tsp of peters 20 20 20 in it and then later added another 1/4 tsp. I have not been aerating it but do not have any fish yet. I was thinking about getting a small fish or two in case of mosquitoe larvae getting in but the water gets fairly hot during the day and I'm not sure the fish would survive. The algae covers the surface but the lotus leaves push it aside. I'm using a combo of rainwater and tap, the ph is likely above 7. The seed bulbs seem to be floating,  I have 4 sprouts. I just nicked the seeds and tossed them in and they sprouted.

I saw a website of someone growing lotus and he didn't use an aerator that I could see. Do you think that is important? What ph and fert level do you recommend? I don't want to mess with manure or stuff like that if I can help it.

[dergheist]

I am sure a large problem that you have with the algae is that it not only robs your lotus roots of oxygen which is vital for any living organism, but the algae also is due to the fact that you are using a fertilizer that has phosphorus and this is usually found only in small amounts in the aquatic enviroment.  For now, since you have a large amount of algae, I recommend aerating the water and use a fert that has no or very little phosphorus and make sure your water pH is below seven as aquatic plants cannot take up nutrients when the pH starts going above seven.  Since you are using a 16 gallon tub, may I reccomend that you use aquarium plant fertilizers or pond ferts as both are suited for aquatic plants.  Also try and use a pH buffer used in aquarium setups that will set your pH at 6.5 as most aquatic plants including the Lotus love this pH.

[dergheist]

Howdy TooStone howz it going?

[Stonehenge]

dergheist, those are interesting suggestions. I'm not sure if I'm going to put a bubbler out there. I could do it but running the air hose would be a little awkward. I could do it if it was going to really make a difference. I never thought about the low P ferts. I haven't grown aquatic plants before and am not surprised they have different requirements. I noticed lately that the algae on top of the water has cleared out some. I have no clue why that is. Most of the seeds are floating near the top along with the roots. The leaves look about the same, they are around 3" in diameter.

[anti-light]

well.... when my lotus seeds come in...... white ghost boy will be in charge of the care.... i promise you that.... that boy knows his aquatics

howdy neighbor!

ps.... get a job

[dergheist]

Yessa masta Iza goin.  Don't beat me masta.  :lol:

[anti-light]

ha...... you play on the net TOO much!!!

[dergheist]

Na, I am finally updating my Microshaft Winders Xponetially Poor system and she takes forever  :x , so I might as well be spending some time around this site while I wait. No?  :roll:  By the way what are you doing on this forum for over an hour now?  :wink:

[anti-light]

hahah... im at my friends house...geekin broadband..... i go and do shit for a while.... and come and rest and chill....

i just ordered a pink ladies slipper and kiwi gold yellow raspberry origin... new zealand... hardy to zone 9...... most rasps are zone 8

so gonna give it try... got both for 22 with shipping....

hehehhehe

[dergheist]

Well, before this post gets to far off topic, please just let me clarify that all of my suggestions are just that, my suggestions/opinion, but besides me and anti-light, I know somebody else around here must have some experience in aquatics that they would like to chime in on Stonehenge's question? BTW Stonehenge, how are your lotus doing?

[Stonehenge]

My lotuses are hanging in there, about the same. The leaves seem to die after a while and not get too big so I'm sure conditions are not quite right. There is not as much algae at the surface but the water itself seems green.