How to Care for Bowl Lotus in Winter
As an elegant representative of aquatic plants, the bowl lotus requires special care throughout the four seasons. When winter arrives, how can we ensure the delicate rhizomes survive the cold? And when spring returns, how can we continue the plant's vitality through potting operations? This article will explain all the techniques for overwintering and repotting bowl lotus.
Complete Guide to Winter Care for Bowl Lotus
Pruning Tips During Dormancy
When the temperature drops below 10℃, the bowl lotus enters a dormant state. At this time, the leaves gradually turn yellow, and it is recommended to trim to a 5cm stubble to prevent rot and water pollution while retaining nutrient channels. Special attention should be given to preserving the new bud points at the rhizome joints, which are crucial for the following year's growth.
Comparison of Double Preservation Methods
1. Indoor Storage Method: Use a ceramic pot over 40cm deep, line the bottom with 15cm of river mud, insert the rhizome segment at a 45° angle and secure it, then cover with a 10cm layer of fine sand. Maintain an environment temperature of 5-10℃, and replenish water every 20 days to keep the sand layer moist.
2. Outdoor Film Covering Method: Cover the existing planting container surface with double-layer PE film, with straw insulation layer in between. In the northern regions, it is recommended to increase to three layers of straw and pile soil around the container to form a protective ring, which can withstand temperatures as low as -5℃.
Guide to Repotting Bowl Lotus
Best Time for Repotting
Repotting can be done when the water temperature is consistently above 15℃ in spring. In the Yangtze River Delta, it is usually done between late March and mid-April, while in the northern regions, it can be postponed to the end of April. Stop adding water 10 days in advance to allow the substrate to naturally dry to a semi-moist state.
Techniques for Planting Rhizomes
After removing the rhizome segment, gently brush off the old mud with a soft-bristle brush, taking care to protect the top bud and lateral roots. Use a wide-mouth container over 30cm in diameter and mix pond mud and decomposed leaf soil in a 3:1 ratio. Plant the rhizome segment at a 15° angle with the top bud point facing up, and cover with soil to a depth of 5-8cm.
Mastering the core techniques of overwintering and repotting bowl lotus will allow this aquatic beauty to bloom year after year. Whether it's the severe cold of the north or the damp cold of the south, scientific preservation methods and precise transplanting operations can ensure plant vitality. It is recommended to propagate by dividing the plant annually during repotting, which can control plant density and provide new cultivation materials.