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  • Results 1 to 9 of 9

    Thread: Over Winter Hardy Potted Lotus

    1. #1
      Corsetière's Avatar
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      Over Winter Hardy Potted Lotus

      Hello! I had planned to try to continue to grow my hardy lotus indoors under lights this winter but the leaves have now died off. Now I'm not sure what to do with them. Should I unpot them or just leave them in the potted soil, in the water, indoors. I'm stumped...they are very young seedlings and I really want them to survive.

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    2. #2
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      Lotus have evolved to be photoperiod sensitive and that means once the days get shorter, energy is funneled from photosynthesis to tuber formation. The cellular metabolism slows and the cytoplasm is chemically altered in such a way that it functions as an 'antifreeze' of shorts. Because of all the changes....the leaves die off and the tuber is a starch storage organ, that will feed the sprout next spring until photosynthesis is re-established. The plant is now prepared to withstand wintery conditions.

      I'd feel gently sound the potted plant and see if you can detect a tuber....which hopefully I am right and it is there < g >....if you do, I would leave the plant in the pot, undisturbed, and leave it in a cold place, like maybe the bottom of the pond? If you keep the tuber warm indoors, the danger is that it may try to grow and, without the ability to photosynthesize, the tuber will be expended and once the plant will essentially starve.....lacking the nutrient stores to support the plant growth in the coming growing season.
      Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is. And you must bend to its power or live a lie.”― Miyamoto Musashi

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      Craig

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      Move the pot to your garage or basement where the temps will stay around 50*F for the winter. You can cut the dead pads/stems off and throw them away so as not to have to deal with them next spring. The tubers will be okay through the winter even with little sun or light. When the weather starts getting warmer next spring you can move them outside.
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      Ok! Makes sense! I have a covered porch that might be a good choice. I assume they should be kept in water, in the cooler location? I have them in a rubbermaid container filled with water currently.

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      Sounds good. The tubers should not be where they will freeze, so if the covered porch fits that, it should work.
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    6. #6
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      Here is a link to a nursery that probably sets the gold standard for growing lotus. If you go to 'lotus information' there is a wealth of to be found there:

      http://tenmilecreeknursery.com
      Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is. And you must bend to its power or live a lie.”― Miyamoto Musashi

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      Craig

    7. #7
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      Great! Thanks, guys!

      I'll check out the link,Craig!

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      I take two sheets of 6mil. plastic and cover the tops of my pots and over lapping the sides. I use a bungee cord to hold the plastic down.
      Nancy



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      Thanks for reminding me, I need to check the water levels in my tanks.
      Gallagher.

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