Nelumbo Nucifera PINK

Nelumbo Nucifera PINK - Pink Sacred Lotus, Indian Lotus, Bean of India, Nelumbo nucifera 'Pink', Sacred Lotus.

Nelumbo is a genus of aquatic flowering perennials in the lotus family (Nelumbonaceae), comprising only two extant species, the most famous of which is Nelumbo nucifera. The genus is widely distributed in stagnant and slow-moving water bodies of Asia, Australia, and partly North America, where the plant has become a cultural symbol and an object of veneration.

Lotuses are perennial herbaceous plants with a long, fleshy, knotted rhizome rooted in the muddy bottom. Large peltate leaves, 30-60 cm (12-24 in) in diameter, on long petioles 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) in length, rise high above the water surface. Green leaf blades are covered with a glaucous waxy coating, giving them water-repellent properties.

The flowers on long peduncles 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) long are solitary, fragrant, with numerous petals, often pink, white, or cream in color, reaching 20-35 cm (8-14 in) in diameter. It blooms profusely. The edible fruit is an aggregate of nutlets immersed in an enlarged receptacle.

Lotus seeds possess phenomenal viability - cases of germination of seeds over 1000 years old have been recorded.

Nelumbo nucifera is a striking plant with a powerful rhizome that develops in stagnant and slow-moving water bodies. Flowers are large, up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter, with delicate petals of pink or cream color. Leaves are peltate and water-repellent.

Before sowing, seeds require mandatory scarification, as their dense coat is practically impermeable to moisture. For this, the outer coat is carefully filed or sanded with sandpaper, taking care not to damage the interior of the seed. After scarification, seeds are soaked in clean room-temperature water for 12 hours, then removed and dried in the sun for the next afternoon. This cycle of soaking and drying is repeated daily for 10-14 days.

In the final stage of treatment, seeds are placed in warm water (from 28 °C (82 °F)) with the addition of growth stimulants such as SUPERthrive, Epin, HB-101, or Zircon. After preparation, seeds are sown in individual containers up to 10 cm (4 in) deep filled with moist coarse peat with a top layer of sand providing additional drainage. The sowings are gently buried and placed in a warm, well-lit location with a temperature of 22-28 °C (72-82 °F).

First seedlings may appear within 2-4 weeks; however, some seeds are capable of "dormancy" and germinate only after several months or even up to 2-3 years. Sprouted seedlings quickly gain mass, and during growth it is recommended to regularly remove lower aging leaves to stimulate the formation of new shoots. In the early stages, young plants are especially sensitive to temperature fluctuations and lack of light, so maintaining stable growing conditions is important.

Special notes: For lavish flowering, full sunlight and warmth are essential. Young plants may not bloom in their first year. It does not tolerate cold water and drafts.

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Thanks to high adaptability to varied conditions, Lotus can be grown as an indoor crop provided necessary warmth, sunlight, and quiet water conditions are provided. For flowering, it requires warm and sunny conditions.

It loves sunny sites and warm water (above 20 °C (68 °F)). It requires fertile and heavy soil at the bottom, regular feedings with fertilizers for aquatic plants, and regular removal of dead leaves. The optimal planting depth is 40-70 cm (16-28 in).

It overwinters in a deep pond or in a cool but frost-free room at temperatures above 5 °C (41 °F).