I started some lotus from seed that someone gave me. I would guess they are small variety. Is it possible in zone 7b for them to produce any blooms the first year? One is planted directly in a large plastic pedestal pot(only plant) and the other in a large lily tub pot set inside and above ground pond with other plants. The one in the pedestal pot has close to 20 aerial leaves plus coin leaves. Some of the leaves are larger than my hand. We have temps above 80 probably for at least another month. I have been feeding per pond tab instructions since first couple of aerial leaves. I feel it could use a little more iron. I have only read when to stop feeding for other zones so I wasn't sure if I could get 1 more feeding in this week before I stop for the coming fall.
Lotus from seed advice
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mrsclem
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Are both plant indoors? It looks like they have not gotten enough light. If you are in 7b, same as me, they are slowing down for the year and will most likely not bloom till next year. I stopped feeding mine last month.
j.w
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If not enough iron I have used a small quarter sized ball of steel wool wadded up and stuck under the roots of water lilies and tomato's so I think it would also work for Lotus.
They are both outside in full sun 7 to 8 hours a day and temps anywhere from 82 above 90 for the highs. They just got aerial leaves about a month ago.
mrsclem
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I would not fertilize this late in the year. If you have no buds showing, it is very unlikely you will get flowers this year. I had a plant started from seed last year, hoped to get blooms but I had the pot in another container that kept the water too cool to develop buds.
mrsclem
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Yah! you will get a bloom this year!
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do lotus bloom that easily if the temp starts dropping? I've noticed with my waterlilies that once it gets colder/less sunny, the buds never ripen out. And, from the pic, how long would you say before it will/might bloom?
A fellow gardener that is local with established plants told me about 2 weeks for this bud to fully develop, bloom and drop petals. We still have highs in the 80s here where I live so I'm hoping this matures. This is my first time growing a lotus and never grown any water plants before so I'm not much help.
mrsclem
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2 weeks sounds about right. You probably won't get mature seeds from it but enjoy the bloom. Mine stopped blooming about a month ago.
My second plant from seed is set in a faux above ground pond with other plants and I think you hit the nail.on the head. The water didn't get as warm and it was deeper. Seems this small version likes 2 to 4 inches very warm water
I'm crossing my fingers! We have 80s and 70s again for highs another week and lows close to 60. The days are a little shorter but hoping my confused seed grown plant opens up those buds the next 2 to 2.5 weeks before it goes to sleep!
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good luck!