Heavens To Betsy – Sizzling Red Lotus (Bare Root)

Nelumbo nucifera

DIRECT FROM TEN MILE CREEK!
The Old South Series

Heavens to Betsy, y’all, this is one fine lotus! This was the perfect chance to use an old Southern phrase AND honor a beloved member of our family. Betsy Bancroft was a published poet and accomplished raconteur (that’s a storyteller of renown, not a masked bandit critter). This large red flower has a cheery yellow-gold receptacle and the ability to produce good seeds.

Flower Color: Brilliant Red
Plant Height: Tall, 48″ and taller
Flower Type: Multi-petal, more than 50 petals
Pot Size: 16″ and wider, 12″-18″ deep

How do I fertilize lotus? When do I fertilize my lotus?

Wait until the lotus plant has several floating leaves or begins to put up aerial leaves before adding fertilizer. Choose a good fertilizer such as Waterlily World Tablets, Pondtabbs or Landon’s Aquatic Fertilizer and follow the instructions carefully. The amount of fertilizer to use is usually based on the size of the pot and the amount of soil in the pot. For example, most of the small tablets are added at a ratio of 1 tablet per gallon of soil in the pot. Once the lotus has started to grow vigorously tablets can be added every 3-4 weeks. Stop fertilizing in late summer to allow the lotus to use up all the fertilizer in the pot before going dormant. This encourages the lotus to form better tubers.