sacred lotus questions

18 years ago

I have recently moved to Phuket Thailand. Now we have a very big garden and I have some time to invest in it I'm starting to garden. Yes I'm a novice. We went to the local gardencentre and bought some plants of which one is a "sacred" (I believe) lotus. It is not doing so well I'm afraid. As my thai is still very minimal there is no local expert (they all have them abundant in the gardens and on driveways)I can ask my questions to.

Also the books I can get here are or about English country gardening!!!!! Or they are in Thai!

So I need your help.

The plant is in a very big ceramic pot (like all thai have) and standing at the moment under a ledge outside, where it gets some sun and some rain.The water is rather mucky, and the level drops quite quickly.Most of the leaves are turning brown at the edges and one lotus flower was covered in Aphids? (little green bugs) they also float on the surface of the water. One of the lotus flowers did not open itself but seemed to dry out and died. Two other flowers are now very slowly opening.

So here are my questions.

Does it need to stand in the full sun?

Does it need to stand in the full rain?

Do I top up the water level?

If yes, with what, rain or tapwater?

Can it stand strong wind?

Do I clean the water?

Do I get rid of the dead lotusbud and the rotting leaves?

If yes how exactly?

What can the cause be of the brown leaves? One of the above or can it all be a transport trauma and will the lotus recover out of its own?

What do I do about the little green bugs? Any ecofriendly ideas?

I like the position it now has , I would regret having to move it but I would regret it more if it dies on me.

Please send ideas/knowledge.

Muckpuck

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Comment (1)

neal_2006
18 years ago
Muckpuk, I am trying to answer your questions as you ask them.

Does it need to stand in the full sun?
- No, but Lotus is a sun loving plant. It can stand in full sun or need at least 6 hours of sun per day.
Does it need to stand in the full rain?
- Definitely not.
Do I top up the water level?
- It is up to you. Just don't add too much water that drown the leaf. There is a breathing hole in the center of each leave, they should be kept above water.
If yes, with what, rain or tapwater?
- rain water is probably better as long as it is not polluted.
Can it stand strong wind?
- No, the leaf and flower stalk are somewhat fragile. Keep the plant away from strong wind to reduce the possible wind damage.
Do I clean the water?
- By all means. The water should be clear not mucky.
Do I get rid of the dead lotus bud and the rotting leaves?
- Yes. For plant's health and for aesthetic reason.
If yes how exactly?
- Cut them off above the water level.
What can the cause be of the brown leaves? One of the above or can it all be a transport trauma and will the lotus recover out of its own?
- Lotus dormant during the winter. It is natural the leaves turn brown and dried off in the fall. The new leaves will emerge next Spring. It start with floating leaves then come standing leaves before the flower in the summer.
What do I do about the little green bugs? Any ecofriendly ideas?
- If they are not heavily infested, brush them off. I don't use any pesticide as they also burn the lotus leaves.

Hope this help.
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