Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera
Plant Description: A herbaceous, perennial rhizome that grows 1-1.5 m tall. Large circular leaves are produced on long stems. Flowers are very beautiful, white or pink. In a dam, in a warm climate they are likely to be invasive.
Uses: Most parts of the lotus are edible; the leaves are used to wrap steamed food, or when young eaten as a green vegetable, the tuberous roots are used in stir-fry, the flower petals are floated in soup or tossed in salads and the seeds are roasted.
Growing Requirements: Lotus needs a rich soil, a long growing season in a warm climate and full sun. They are hardy once established but need care and warm growing conditions to get them started. Choose a wide shallow pot, min. 33 cm x 23 cm, is best, for larger ponds an old plastic clothesbasket can be used. Mix a heavy loamy garden soil and potting mix 50:50, fill the pot to a depth of 10 cm. When the tuber arrives it should be semi-dormant. Handle the tuber carefully so you do not break off the growing tip, called an 'eye'. The 'eye' is described as the part of the tuber where the leaves will grow from. You should be able to detect a spot on the tuber where leaves, not roots, were once growing. This 'eye' must not be covered with either soil or gravel. Lay the tuber horizontally on the soil with the 'eye' sticking up so it will protrude from the soil and gravel. Cover the rest of the plant with soil. After planting add a layer of gravel on top as mulch to keep the water clean and the soil mix and the plant from floating out. A couple of flat rocks might be needed as well to reduce buoyancy. Place the pot just under the water surface until the plant has sprouted, as it is warmer closer to the surface. Gradually lower it over the next few weeks until it is covered with between 10-23 cm of water over the pot.