Nelumbo Nucifera WHITE

Nelumbo Nucifera WHITE - White sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera 'White', Sacred lotus, Indian lotus.

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

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.

Flowers on long peduncles 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) in length 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 nuts immersed in an enlarged receptacle.

Lotus seeds possess phenomenal germination viability - cases of seed germination have been recorded where the seed age exceeded 1,000 years.

Nelumbo nucifera is a striking plant with a robust rhizome developing in stagnant and slow-moving water bodies. The flowers are large, up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter, with delicate petals of pink or cream color. Leaves are peltate, 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, trying not to damage the internal part of the seed. After scarification, seeds are soaked in clean water at room temperature for 12 hours, then removed and dried in the sun during the following midday. This soaking and drying cycle is repeated daily for 10-14 days.

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

The first sprouts may appear within 2-4 weeks, though some seeds can enter dormancy and germinate only after several months or even up to 2-3 years. Germinated seedlings quickly gain mass, and during growth it is recommended to regularly remove lower aging leaves to stimulate new shoot formation. In the initial stages, young plants are especially sensitive to temperature fluctuations and light deficiency, so maintaining stable growing conditions is important.

Special notes: Full sunlight and warmth are essential for lush flowering. Young plants may not flower in their first year. It does not tolerate cold water or 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 aquatic rest are maintained. For flowering, it requires warm and sunny conditions.

It prefers sunny locations and warm water (above 20 °C [68 °F]). It requires fertile, heavy soil at the bottom, regular feeding with aquatic plant fertilizers, and regular removal of dead leaves. Optimal planting depth is 40-70 cm (16-28 in).

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