| The Lotus or Nelumbo nucifera is commonly | | | | off, but always ensure you cut them off above the |
| misconceived as a Water Lilly. While the Lotus is an | | | | surface of the water to avoid water filling the hollow |
| aquatic perennial like the Water Lilly it is much different. | | | | stems and drowning the plant. |
| The Leaves and flowers of the Lotus plant extend | | | | Lotus don't just look great in the garden, they also look |
| above the water surface where the Water Lilly floats | | | | fantastic in floral arrangements. While fresh Lotus |
| on the water surface. The Lotus is native to Southern | | | | flowers are sometimes available, it is the seed pod |
| Asia and is India's national flower. To Buddhists it has | | | | that is most commonly used in florists. This is because |
| come to symbolise spiritual enlightenment, as its | | | | the individual flowers are not long lived, sometimes only |
| perfect, beautiful flowers rise from the dirty, smelly | | | | lasting one day. The seed pods however last much |
| mud at the bottom of the lake in which it grows. Purity | | | | longer and they're organic and sculptural appearance |
| rising out of filth... | | | | adds texture and interest to flower bouquets and |
| Lotus are easily grown in a large water bowl in a | | | | flower arrangements. A bunch of the Seed pods |
| backyard or even balcony. They need to be planted at | | | | casually arranged in a tall glass vase look exquisite! |
| a depth of at least 40cm and require full sun to thrive. | | | | Almost all parts of the Lotus are edible and used in |
| The only care they need is fertilising once a year in | | | | Asian cooking including the flower, seeds, leaves and |
| late winter/ early spring. Fertilising is best done by | | | | roots. The flower is used in Salads, Seeds are grinded |
| making a "parcel" of high potassium fertiliser wrapped | | | | up and made into flour, Leaves are used to wrap and |
| in old newspaper and by pushing this parcel deep | | | | steam food such as Rice and the roots are chopped |
| down into the Root zone of the plant. In Winter when | | | | and fried and served in a similar way to Potato chips. |
| the plant has died down you can cut the old leaves | | | | |