Tropicbreezent.....fertilizing a lotus bog

4 years ago

Hi! I was directing this to you because it seems most people don't actually have a "manufactured" lotus bog, but I know you do. I forget if you told me this, but do you fertilize yours? I've been putting about 5 Jobe's Citrus Tree Fruit Spikes into the bog about every several weeks. I was wondering what you might use? I know I had hoped to dig it all out this spring and add new soil, since I think the roots are really compacted, but time has gotten away from us, and it would be too difficult now. Plus, lotus leaves are starting to emerge. Also.....I know when growing lotus in containers, you're not supposed to fertilize until there are aerials, but I doubt this is meant for bogs too. Any ideas? I really think it doesn't do well because it's too root bound, but I'll still try to get at least leaves out of it this summer.

If anyone else has ideas, I'd appreciate hearing them too. I have a 300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank sunk into the ground.

Thanks!

Comments (2)

tropicbreezent
4 years ago
I don't get around here that much these days since there's very little activity. Fortunately today I decided to take a look. I think one of the problems with Lotus in containers is that the water in the soil stagnates and develops a high build up of minerals. In nature water moves through the soil so there wouldn't be that effect. If you were able to pump all the water out (that within the soil as well) it could then be replaced with fresh water.

When you see Lotus in nature they grow in massive clumps, usually very densely. They're only restricted by deep water and solid ground. Everything in between they rapidly fill up. Being root bound would be a natural state for them.

The fertiliser I use for the Lotus is a 20-4-4-2+TE 21 gram tablet, mainly used for trees (or generally large plants). I put in 6 of those tablets when I fertilise. Lotus is the sort of plant that's easy to grow but difficult to keep in good condition.
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks tropicbreeze............Yeah, when I was putting in the fruit tree spikes, my method of putting it through a pvc pipe and then pushing it with a smaller pole wasn't working so well and I got mud on my hands..........and there was a bit smell of stagnation/sulfur.........so I think you're right that everything I've put into that bog has had nowhere to go. I guess it's not nice to fool mother nature! :) I'm going to have to think of a different way of having lotus around....maybe going back to just growing it in a submerged pot that I thin every year or two.

Maybe I'll get younger and can dig this bog out and start all over? :)

Thanks tropicbreeze.
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Thanks John, Maybe I shouldn't be touching it at all! hahaha I figured maybe a larger bog or a more natural bog has a few features that my artifical bog doesn't have. Hmmmm.....maybe I really shouldn't do much to it now, except maybe remove those huge dead lotus leaves, and see what happens next spring? I could always clean it up then.......if it doesn't come alive before that and eat my house and family.. :) I sure wouldn't want an open septic pit next to my deck! Its definitely a learning experience. Here's a pic I took yesterday of a pot of hosta that I had sitting in the bog. You can see a lotus leaf coming out of the pot and a big runner out the side! Those lotus ARE soooooooo aggressive! Here is a link that might be useful:
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Tropicbreezent.....fertilizing a lotus bog

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tropicbreezent

catherinet
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Tropicbreezent.....fertilizing a lotus bog

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tropicbreezent

catherinetOriginal Author

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catherinet
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