Impressions Of Westlake Lotus is a remarkable, tall, multi-petal lotus with rich, vibrant, red color over the most beautiful lotus flowers! The lotus buds and blooms are held regally above the emerald-green foliage. Rich, golden receptacles or green petaloids adorn the centers of these majestic blooms. This lotus grows to 48 inches tall or taller. Impressions Of West Lake lotus is as dreamy as the scenic location it was named for in Hangzhou, China. Row after row of splendid red petals surround the gold centers on this majestic lotus. Truly a masterpiece!
Planting Instructions
Plant in a wide container (24 - 48 inches wide) using loam soil. Add 4 - 6 inches of water above the soil and place in full sun (8 - 10 hours of sunlight daily). Do not fertilize until you have aerial leaves growing out of the water.
How And When To Fertilize Your Lotus
Fertilize your lotus once you have aerial leaves growing out of the water. Use 1/2 the recommended dosage for your first fertilizer application. After the initial fertilizer application, fertilize your lotus every three weeks throughout the growing/blooming season with the recommended dose of fertilizer. Your last fertilizer application should be in early September. This will allow your lotus to go into dormancy naturally.
We recommend Waterlily World Fertilizer Tabs for optimum growth, best bloom and ease of use. Simply press the fertilizer tabs into the soil near the roots of your lotus.
*Please see our 'Complete Lotus Growing Guide' included with your lotus purchase!
What Is Loam Soil?
Loam soil is a good mixture of Topsoil and Sand
If you are lucky enough to have good topsoil in your backyard, by all means, use your topsoil. All you will have to do is add fertilizer. If you are not so lucky--and your backyard is sand or heavy red or yellow clay, you can mix up a batch of loam soil.
You can create your own loam soil by mixing these two ingredients together
- 2/3 Inorganic Topsoil (Little or no organic material added)
- 1/3 Pool Filter Sand
Mix together thoroughly with a little water. Your soil should clump when squeezed. If your soil is mixed properly, it will not muddy your pond water.
You can purchase inexpensive bags of inexpensive / poor Topsoil at Lowes or Home-Depot. Good soil clumps together as a ball in your hand with only a little moisture.
Don't buy brands like Scott's or Miracle-Gro, as they will contain too much organic matter that can foul your water. Buy an unbranded bag of topsoil instead.
You can purchase Pool Filter Sand at any store that sells pool supplies.
Loam soil is well suited for all aquatic plants (except oxygenators). Oxygenators rarely need to be planted, just anchored in the substrate or in a container filled with sand or 1/8 inch pea gravel.
Sand holds little water but does allow for aeration and drainage.
Some DO's and DON'TS regarding Aquatic Planting Soil
DO NOT use potting soils ( as they are too light and will float right out of the pot). Potting Soil has organic material that will rot and foul your water!
DO NOT add too much composted material (as it is too rich in organic matter and it will ferment underwater and destroy the ecology of your pond).
DO NOT use 100% calcined clay as there is no nutritional value in calcined clay.
DO NOT add rocks, stones or pebbles to the top of your planting container as this will inhibit the growth of your plants. Plants do not grow in rocks and stones in nature!
DO NOT purchase API Aquatic Planting Media or Microbe-lift Aquatic Planting Media as these products are NOT suitable for waterlilies, lotus or most other pond plants. They are suitable for submerged grasses ONLY!
