Non Blooming Lotus

[icsd71]

I have a Lotus plant I grew from seed several years ago. Every year it grows well but I have yet to see a bloom from it. Not sure why? I have heard from others that it takes several years for it to take to bloom? Maybe it does. It is the only water plant that will not bloom for me. I have fertilized it as needed. Any suggestions from teh Lotus growers on what to do???

 

[fishin4cars]

It doesn't take years to get blooms. It could take a full growing season if the first year it was started late but it should bloom at least some by the second season. One thing is if you grew it from seed you don't know what kind it is. If it's a wild it may be one that only blooms if in very shallow warm water, if may be one that needs a certain amount of sunlight to bloom. Lotus grown for the Pond trade are raised for their blooms and color and in most cases do better in our pond settings. I would first try raising the pot or lowering the water level so that the crowns are in slightly shallow water. No more than 6" deep. fertilize with a good lily fert. once every couple of weeks. Also make sure that it gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight, I have my best luck with the one that gets five hours of sun in the morning and a few hours late in the day. It's in the shade from about 11-4pm. the hottest part of the day. Only thing that's different from my other two and it's out blooming the other two three flowers to one and I don't do anything different between the three. Maybe it's something to do with it? IDK

 

[adavisus]

Theres several things which can be an obstacle to a lotus blooming.

A friend tried a Momo Botan lotus as a runner division, it is putting up buds in less than a month on a fairly new pond.

There's a few fish around, low density plantings as yet...

Regards, andy
http://www.pinterest.com/adavisus/pondering/