The lotus flower has been given a sacred
place in Indian culture. It plays a huge role in the art
and mythology there and has done so for centuries. In Indian
society, the lotus represents divinity, fertility, wealth,
knowledge, and enlightenment. Perhaps the reverence of the
flower stems from the fact that is an unquestionable beauty
despite the fact that it grows out of murky waters and mud.
Because of its ability to grow in the water, the lotus is
often referred to as the water lily.
Though they have an exotic look, lotuses are actually fairly
simple to grow. However, first time lotus gardeners should
be aware that the lotus is a very invasive plant that can
take over your entire water garden if not tended to carefully.
Also, you'll notice that lotus plants may not bloom during
their first year-don't be discouraged, the plants will almost
surely blossom in the second year. As you watch your lotus
plants grow and blossom, watch for yellowing foliage and
faded blooms; you'll want to remove them to allow other
leaves and blossoms to grow healthy and strong.
Lotuses come in a variety of types that include small plants
with one-inch blossoms and larger ones with blossoms as
big as your face. Lotus colors include red, yellow, white,
peach, violet, and cream.
The lotus plant loves the heat-the hotter the better! In
fact, the hotter it is at night, the bigger the flowers
will be. During the winter you'll need to make certain the
lotus tuber doesn't freeze or it will die. If you're growing
them in your garden pond, the pond will need to be at least
three feet deep so that it doesn't freeze solid, which will
jeopardize the tubers. If you're growing them in pots, bring
the pots inside for the winter.
With proper care, your lotus flowers will grow to exotic
and fragrant flowers worthy of their status in India. They're
exquisite beauty will rival that of fellow Indian Aishwarya
Rai.
About The Author
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture
(AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful
multi-million dollar floral business that was established
in 1946. As a major sponsor of http://www.local-library.com
and http://www.Localschoolfinder.com , Wesley Berry has
worked hard on behalf of improving literacy. Visit Wesley
Berry Flowers on the web at http://www.800wesleys.com
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