How to grow water lotus properly
This article provides a detailed explanation of how to grow water lotus plants well and related knowledge about the cultivation of water lotus, including the following introduction.
Many people enjoy keeping ornamental fish at home and therefore purchase aquariums. However, just keeping fish can be monotonous, so they often add some aquatic plants, with water lotus being a popular choice. So, if you want to grow water lotus in an aquarium, do you know how to do it well? Let's learn about the cultivation methods of water lotus.
The benefits of water lotus
Water lotus can float on the water surface to grow, making it very suitable for cultivation in aquariums, turtle tanks, or shrimp tanks. Additionally, its root system is quite strong and can absorb harmful substances in the water, purifying the water quality. The roots also provide a good environment for the growth of nitrifying bacteria, making it ideal for keeping in aquariums.
How to grow water lotus well?
1. Seed propagation
Buy healthy seeds, then scratch the seed coat and soak the seeds. Change the water frequently to keep it clean. The seeds will usually germinate after about a week and root in two weeks, after which they can be transplanted to a pot with water not too deep.
2. Aquarium requirements
Water lotus can be planted in an aquarium or a water basin, usually with an opening size of about 55 centimeters and a depth of 30 centimeters. Then, place pig manure or cake fertilizer at the bottom of the basin as a base fertilizer, mix the soil into a muddy state, and place the germinated seeds. When the leaves grow, gradually add water until the entire basin is filled.
3. Light management
Water lotus is a light-loving plant. For daily maintenance, place it in an area with bright scattered light to ensure sufficient light. Once positioned, do not move it randomly to avoid affecting flowering and germination.
4. Watering management
Water lotus is an aquatic plant. Initially, the water depth should not be too deep, about 3 centimeters. If using tap water, it's best to let it sit for a couple of days to prevent damage to the plant from excessive temperature differences. Fill the pot with water after the leaves grow.
5. Supplementing fertilizer
If you want water lotus to grow well, it's necessary to supplement fertilizer appropriately. Generally, this is done once a month, and another application of fertilizer is done when two leaves appear.
6. Temperature management
In winter, when the temperature is low, water lotus enters dormancy at around 2 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it can be moved indoors to maintain a suitable indoor temperature for growth. To make water lotus bloom, place a few pieces of iron in the water to promote more vigorous growth.
7. Pest and disease control
Water lotus has strong resistance to pests and diseases, usually not suffering from serious diseases. Occasionally, leaf blight may occur, but it is not severe. If affected, use 50% methyl thiophanate for control and prevention.
If you are also raising fish or want to grow some aquatic plants, choosing a water lotus is an excellent decision. Cultivating water lotus is almost stress-free, provided you maintain temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius in winter; other conditions will not affect its growth.
The above shares the complete introduction on how to grow water lotus well and related cultivation methods, for everyone to learn and understand!