"Comprehensive Guide to荷花 (Lotus) Potting and Care, Bringing the Essence of Summer to Your Home"

Choose the right variety, prepare the appropriate potting containers, soil selection and preparation, lighting and temperature, watering and fertilizing, pest and disease control.

With the improvement of living quality, more and more people are starting to grow flowers and plants at home, and lotus as a traditional famous flower in China, is loved by many flower enthusiasts for its noble quality of rising out of the mud but not stained. Although the maintenance of lotus pot plants has certain difficulties, as long as the correct method is mastered, you can easily grow beautiful lotus flowers at home. This article will introduce you to the maintenance skills of lotus pot plants, so that your home can also burst with the charm of summer.

Choose the right variety

There are many varieties of lotus, common ones include red lotus, white lotus, yellow lotus, etc. When choosing a lotus variety, the following factors should be considered:

1. Growth habits: Understand the growth habits of different lotus varieties and choose the variety that suits your maintenance conditions.

2. Bloom time: Choose varieties with a longer blooming period and more blooming times to ensure ornamental effect.

3. Ornamental value: Choose varieties with high ornamental value such as flower color and flower shape according to personal preferences.

Prepare the appropriate potting containers

Lotus pot plants need to choose containers with good breathability and strong drainage, common potting containers include ceramic pots, plastic pots, purple sand pots, etc. It is recommended to choose pots with a diameter of 40-60 centimeters to allow enough space for the lotus roots to grow.

Soil selection and preparation

Lotus flowers love water and fertilizer, and have high requirements for soil. Choosing soil rich in organic matter and good drainage is the key. Generally, the following soil preparation methods can be used:

1. Decomposed leaf soil: Decomposed leaf soil has good water retention and breathability, which is an ideal soil for lotus growth.

2. Peat soil: Peat soil is soft in texture and has good breathability, which is beneficial for the growth of lotus roots.

3. River sand: River sand can increase the breathability and drainage of the soil, but be careful not to use too much.

Mix decomposed leaf soil, peat soil, and river sand in a ratio of 2:2:1 to get soil suitable for lotus growth.

Lighting and temperature

Lotus flowers love sunlight but avoid direct strong sunlight. In the maintenance process, the lotus should be placed in a place with sufficient scattered light. In the hot summer, it can be properly shaded to avoid sunburn on the leaves.

The suitable temperature for lotus growth is between 20-30°C. When the temperature in winter is below 10°C, the lotus should be moved indoors for maintenance.

Watering and fertilizing

Lotus flowers love water, and watering should be sufficient. In the hot summer season, it is necessary to water 2-3 times a day to keep the soil moist. In winter, the frequency of watering can be appropriately reduced.

In terms of fertilizing, lotus flowers love fertilizer but dislike excessive fertilizing. Generally, a compound fertilizer is applied once a month during the vigorous growth period, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can be applied before and after flowering to promote blooming.

Pest and disease control

Common diseases and pests of lotus include black spot disease, powdery mildew, and pest damage. During maintenance, it is important to observe and take timely measures when diseases and pests are found. Here are some common control methods:

1. Black spot disease: Spray the leaves with a 50% carbendazim wettable powder solution diluted 1000 times, spray once every 7-10 days, and continue for 2-3 times.

2. Powdery mildew: Spray the leaves with a 25% myclobutanil emulsion diluted 1500 times, spray once every 7-10 days, and continue for 2-3 times.

3. Pest damage: Spray the leaves with a 40% dimethoate emulsion diluted 1000 times, spray once every 7-10 days, and continue for 2-3 times.

Although the maintenance of lotus pot plants has certain difficulties, as long as the correct method is mastered, you can easily grow beautiful lotus flowers at home. I hope this article can provide you with help, so that you can experience the charm of summer during the maintenance of lotus flowers.