How to Grow Lotus & Water Lily from Seed

Lotus

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 Sowing conditions:    

- Above 16℃ with full sun.

- Can be sown at any time of a year.

- Takes only 50 to 60 days from sowing to blossoming and a little longer in autumn (60-80 days), without any dormant period.

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Lotus seed for growing should be dry and hard.

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To begin the sprouting process, the hard dark brown seed coat is rubbed on rough sandpaper (included) on the end of the seed with a dimple (opposite the pointed end).  Sand util a lighter colour can be seen in the centre of the sanded area.

Heat some water to 40℃.

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Place the sanded seed into the warm water and cover, leaving overnight.

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*Please note  in some cases your seed may already be cut at the ends, which makes it not necessary for sanding !

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In a bowl or bucket, place 1 part garden soil (included) note: add a little more if needed.  Gently fill with 2 parts water, and place in a sunny position to warm up and settle.

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Encase each soaked seed separately in a ball of silty mud.  Gently settle each ball of mud down till it nestles in the soil surface with about 10cm of warm water over.

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Cover the top of the container with plastic to keep warm in a sunny position (average 20℃) while the seeds sprout.

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At the two leaves stage, plants must be relocated to a separate container for each growing plant.

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Keep growing in a warm area raising the water level as the plant grows.  Feed your plants regularly all through the growing season and amazing results can be obtained.

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The amount of fertilizer to use is relative to the volume of the container and the size and vigour of the plant.  We feed our lotus with equal parts crumbed poultry manure and blood and bone with small amounts of slow-release fertilizer with trace elements.

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Water Lily

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1.  These are hardy water lilies, so leave the seeds in water until you are ready to plant them.

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2.  Start Your Water Lilies:

When you are ready to plant your water lilies, prepare a large planting container for starting your seeds.  To do this, add about 5 cm of garden soil to the bottom of the container.  Then fill the container with warm water.  Wait until the sediment has settled to the bottom and then compress the soil.

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Sprinkle your collected Water Lily seeds on the compressed soil and gently press them into the dirt.  Finally, cover the seeds with a thin layer of white sand.  This step will help you to see when your hardy water lilies will sprout.

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3. Transplant Your Water Lily Seedlings

Once your water lilies have sprouted a couple of leaves, they will be ready for transplanting into individual containers.  Prepare your new containers by adding a layer of garden soil to the bottom of each pot.  Now the water lilies are ready to be planted in their own containers.

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Plant one water lily in each container.  Plant the seedling to the side of the container and cover it up to the top of its root ball with soil.  Compress the soil and fill the container with warm water.  Then submerge the water lilies in your pond or water feature.