Bergen Water Gardens is excited to offer some of the most tasty lotus varieties found in China! Edible lotus are grown throughout China and are a basic component of the Chinese diet. Varieties of edible lotus have been selected for their size, color, texture and taste. Bergen Water Gardens is offering starter edible lotus tubers for 2019. Plant these tubers in a mud pond or a man made pond which is 5' x 20' x 1.5'. By the end of September, there will be lotus tubers ready to harvest for your … [Read more...] about Tasty Lotus
Lotus
Variegated Lotus
Bergen Water Gardens is thrilled to introduce a horticulture first, the first stable variegated lotus: Nelumbo 'Gold Splash Hibiscus' Sǎ jīn fúróng. This exciting plant appeared growing in a group of stock Lanceolate Pink lotus. The unique lotus caught the eye of a premier lotus grower in Guangdong Province, China. He isolated it and has grown it since 2016. The variegation has remained stable in the leaves during this time. The beautiful leaf pattern is passed along to its progeny via tuber … [Read more...] about Variegated Lotus
How to Pot Micro Lotus
How to pot micro lotus is one of the most common questions we receive at Bergen Water Gardens. Micro lotus are the smallest growing lotus in horticulture. Often their height is only 6 to 10 inches tall. Some micro lotus only produce a few flowers during a season, others produce close to a dozen or more. There are varieties which are genetically very small and will stay small even if planted in larger pots. Some larger lotus may be planted in much smaller pots and literally dwarfed, much like a … [Read more...] about How to Pot Micro Lotus
Lantern Festival
This week, people throughout Asia celebrate the Lantern Festival, which traditionally marks the close of Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival. Brightly color lanterns of red and yellow are hung everywhere. Perhaps the most famous Lantern Festival is along the Qinhuai River in Nanjing China. The tradition dates back to the Eastern Wu, about 222 AD. Lanterns were hung to honor the return of warriors. The Lantern Festival gradually expanded and during the Ming dynasty the Lantern Festival … [Read more...] about Lantern Festival
Fresh Lotus Chips
For the second year, Bergen Water Gardens will be offering edible lotus tubers for sale. How to enjoy? Fresh lotus chips are a good option! Lotus tubers are staple food throughout China and much of Asia. The tuber may be boiled, fried or pickled. Soups with lotus tuber are also popular. A quick, easy way to enjoy lotus is to make lotus chips. The lotus chip presentation is especially novel due to the numerous holes in the slices of the lotus tuber Here is a quick … [Read more...] about Fresh Lotus Chips
Micro Lotus Porcelain Pots
Micro Lotus Pots are essential to grow the minute micro lotus. It’s best to have a pot which is no larger than 6 inches or 15 cm in diameter. In 2019, Bergen Water Gardens will be offering a limited number of Micro Lotus Pots. These will be from the famed city of Jingdezhen; renowned for it’s quality porcelain pots. It’s best to grow your micro lotus in a small pot but submerge it in a larger container/pot of water; this will keep it cool and hydrated! We use 10" plastic pots at Bergen Water … [Read more...] about Micro Lotus Porcelain Pots
Lotus Paradise on Ice
Lotus Paradise on Ice refers to an unusual "icing event" which occurred in western New York February 6 and 7, 2019. On the morning of February 6, cold air was in place and moderate rain showers fell; substantial icing took place. As the day wore on, temperatures failed to rise and more ice accumulated. That night additional cold air funneled down from the upper St. Lawrence River, following Lake Ontario and "settling over" the Rochester, New York area ( this phenomenon is common due to our … [Read more...] about Lotus Paradise on Ice
IWGS Certified Nelumbo Collection of Excellence
Bergen Water Gardens is honored to be designated as an International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society's Certified Nelumbo Collection of Excellence. Lotus Paradise is the first garden to receive this distinction in the 37 year history of the IWGS. Over the past 5 years, Bergen Water Gardens has worked diligently to collect, import and grow one of the largest collections of lotus (Nelumbo) outside of China. To meet the IWGS's Collection of Excellence, there must be a minimum of 75 varieties … [Read more...] about IWGS Certified Nelumbo Collection of Excellence
Micro Lotus Pots
Micro Lotus Pots are essential to grow the minute micro lotus. It's best to have a pot which is no larger than 6 inches or 15 cm in diameter. In 2019, Bergen Water Gardens will be offering a limited number of Micro Lotus Pots. These will be from the famed city of Jingdezhen; renowned for it's quality porcelain pots. It's best to grow your micro lotus in a small pot but submerge it in a larger container of water; this will keep it cool and hydrated! 2019 also brings 10 additional varieties of … [Read more...] about Micro Lotus Pots
Lotus Greenhouse
The lotus greenhouse at Bergen Water Gardens is complete: September 2018. Construction was started in October of 2017 but we were not able to finish the lotus greenhouse before the onset of winter.While the design of this house is simple, the driving of the 52 posts, by hand, provided a substantial challenge. Indeed, there are too many rocks at Bergen Water Gardens. The lotus greenhouse spans 27 by 100 feet. The sides roll up partially to allow for cooling and ample airflow. We can easily fit … [Read more...] about Lotus Greenhouse
Lotus Paradise at Bergen Water Gardens
We are pleased to announce that we have completed Phase 3 of Lotus Paradise at Bergen Water Gardens. 30 - 5' x 5' Lotus ponds are now stocked and growing Identification signs are installed; complete with QR codes to link you to the correct page on our website New lotus varieties are being added to our website, complete details soon. Welcome to visit during regular business hours 10:00 till 5:00. Since 2018 had a cold start, we are expecting good lotus blooming through mid … [Read more...] about Lotus Paradise at Bergen Water Gardens
Final Chinese Lotus Selections
As we approach the end of May, we are working on our final Chinese Lotus Selections for 2018. We hope by May 18th, our website will have all the remaining lotus tubers listed. We have hundreds of boxes to double check but if you are still looking to grow a Chinese lotus in 2018 consider: Buddha's Seat Lotus Colorful Cloud in the Sky Elegant … [Read more...] about Final Chinese Lotus Selections
Great Savings on Plastic Pots
Great Savings on Plastic Pots Thanks to the efforts of our UPS reps, we are excited to offer great savings on our plastic pots and UPS shipping! With a healthy UPS shipping discount, we are now able to substantially reduce our shipping costs around the USA. These discounts will be first realized with our promotion of 3 plastic pots shipped together - take advantage of 30% savings on our plastic pots! Shop: Trio Medium Plastic Pot Trio of Large Plastic Pot Trio Bowl Lotus Pot … [Read more...] about Great Savings on Plastic Pots
Packing Lotus Tubers
Packing lotus tubers for our 2018 shipment is now complete. The crew in China has washed, sanitized and packed several thousand lotus tubers for us. The lotus tubers are currently at air freight terminal in Guangzhou China waiting for the their Sunday flight to the USA. Exciting days ahead! Shipping to our customers starts on March 19, 2018; depending on your weather conditions and instructions. … [Read more...] about Packing Lotus Tubers
Edible Lotus
Lotus is a staple food throughout China, Southeast Asia and India. Lotus leaves, stems, tubers, seeds and flowers are all relished. When asking for edible lotus, the focus is on the lotus tuber. A lotus tuber is the primary growth of the lotus plant in the mud. Lotus tubers look like sausages linked together, with unique air passages on the inside. Once harvested, washed and peeled the lotus tuber may be sliced, boiled or stir fried. The tuber has a mild flavor, with a crisp texture. Lotus are … [Read more...] about Edible Lotus
2010 Wuhan China
2010 Wuhan China Part 2 After a busy three days in Qingdao, Professor Huang Gouzhen was anxious to take me to his former home in Wuhan, China. In Wuhan, Professor Huang taught at the Academy of Science in Wuhan and contributed much to the Botanical Gardens. Wuhan is an ideal location to work on aquatic plants as most of the terrain is wet a good portion of the year. Lotus, waterlilies, Sagittaria and dozens additional varieties of aquatic plants are studied and hybridized. Wuhan is the … [Read more...] about 2010 Wuhan China
