Sacred lotus

Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera, Nelumbonaceae) is a perennial aquatic plant native to the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions. Long grown for ornament, food and religious symbolism, it is also naturalised in ponds from Hokkaido to Kyushu in Japan. It is often confused with water lilies but belongs to a separate lineage, placed in Proteales in the APG system. In spring shoots rise from the rhizome in the mud, first as floating leaves, then as leaves held high above the water on long stalks. Leaves are round, 40–50 cm across, attached at the centre and water-repellent. The seed head resembles a honeycomb, and the seeds stay viable for exceptionally long. Plants reach about 50–100 cm, and there are many cultivars in different colours and forms, from dwarf 'bowl lotus' types to large ones. Some Nelumbo varieties are registered in Japan's plant variety database, so check whether a named cultivar is registered when buying or selling. It needs full sun all day, rich clay soil and permanently standing water; without enough sun it flowers poorly. In Japan tubers and potted plants are sold by garden centres and online.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Sacred lotus grows to 50–100 cm tall, leaves 40–50 cm across (dwarf cultivars smaller).

Flowers open from July to September, white or pink, opening early in the morning and closing by midday; the receptacle warms itself to 30–35°C while in flower.

Slow-release base fertiliser, then feed about monthly from April to September