Micro Lotus August 2019
In 2019 we are offering additional varieties of Micro Lotus:
Some varieties may also be dwarfed such that they may grow as a small, bowl or micro lotus. IF a tiny tuber is available and it is planted in a 6 inch pot it is possible for it to grow as a a micro lotus. Two good examples of this are:
Micro lotus or true miniature lotus were developed by a specialty nursery in China. The nursery was started in 2013 by Mr. Jiang. The original stock of micro lotus was created by a professor at the local agricultural college over a period of many years.
Mr. Jiang studied under this professor and eventually named a select variety of micro lotus ‘Spark’. Spark would become his primary parent in the development of future hybrid micro lotus. Currently there are over 1,200 micro lotus seedlings under evaluation at the nursery. As of 2018, there are 10 named and introduced varieties of micro lotus:
- Fairy Lotus
- First Fall Lotus
- Mouth of Sparrow Lotus
- Rainbow Lotus
- Misty Rain Lotus
- Missing Lotus
- Green Calyx Lotus
- Spark Lotus
- Mini Chu Lady Lotus
- Red Carmine Lotus
Buy Micro Lotus Tubers
How To Pot Micro Lotus
Micro Lotus Exhbit
Guidelines for growing Micro Lotus:
- Start with a pot size of 15 cm or about 6 inches in diameter. This will assure good growth and flower production. The smallest pot which may be used is 6 cm or 2.3 inches in diameter – this is only recommended for the experienced grower.
- If micro lotus are planted in a larger pot, greater than 8 inches (20 cm), expect a larger plant – standard bowl lotus size
- Plant tuber when average temperature is above 68 F (20 C)
- Plant in a well ventilated, outdoor area
- Make sure pot stays full of water – micro lotus will dry up quickly due to their small pot size
- Flowering temperature is 77 F (25 C) to 95 F (35 C)
- Water is best at a neutral pH ( 7.0)
- Fertilize every 15 days with a weak application of aquatic fertilizer (1/4 Tablet)
- If micro lotus are grown under 40% shade, the standing leaves will grow taller.
- Expect 3 to 5 flowers a season
- Remove old leaves and flowers only when “dead, with no signs of green”. This will encourage new growth.
- Allow for winter dormancy but do not let tuber freeze.
- Micro lotus tubers are very small and usually only have 1 growing point
- Micro lotus are small and therefore produce very few tubers. This makes them a more valuable lotus.
Because of their small size, true Micro Lotus can be a challenge to grow. A technique used in China is to grow the micro lotus in a larger bowl of water. this assures hydration and moderates temperature spikes. The primary pot and micro lotus are removed and cleaned up for display as desired.
Average Size tuber:
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Diane D. Eidemiller says
I am interested in the micro lotus. I am going to replant my lotus this spring. It is down in the basement and hopefully it will be ok. Thank you for showing these. Diane
Larry Nau says
We are excited about the new micro lotus. they are plants they will certainly appeal to another group of growers!
Brian Stewart says
When will the next round of micro lotus be available? Is there a waiting list? I would love to keep one in one of my displays for public viewing/education.
Larry Nau says
Our website opens up for pre orders in October. Lotus tubers start shipping at the end of March and depending on your local. Remember micro lotus are outdoor plants!
D😎 says
Beautiful micro lotuses. Since only 1 growing point and difficult to grow. I would be interested if you can mail full micro lotus plant.
Larry Nau says
It would actually be more difficult to mail a growing lotus plant. No matter which size lotus, the tubers, stems and leaves are fragile. Others have tried offering small lotus plants shipped but without continued success. This is our first year offering and growing micro lotus. We will certainly know more by August! We are already almost sold out for 2018. We hope to have a few plants available for sale during the summer at the nursery. Perhaps one of these might be able to be shipped? Stay tuned!
JOHNNY LO says
DO YOU SHIP TO CANADA
Larry Nau says
First you need a plant import license, then we can apply for a phytosanitary certificate to ship across the border.. they cost $50 to start.
Taylor Cochran says
Do you know when you will have more available?
Larry Nau says
Pre-orders will start in September of 2018 for shipments starting at the end on March 2019. Most of the Micro lotus were sold out before they arrived in March 2018.
We hope to offer several new varieties of micro lotus in 2019.
Annie roy says
Bonjour,, j aimerais acheter un tubercule de micro lotus….Est ce encore disponible???
Larry Nau says
Sorry our tubers are sold out for 2019. We will start the 2020 Pre-orders in September 2019 and start shipping in at end of March 2020
Catherine says
Excellent. I found my first tiny lotus in Thailand just yesterday (I’ve been here well over a decade). But mine are more miniature, not micro. There isn’t much about them on the internet – do you have further information? Out of two pots there are three blooms (could bloom tomorrow or soon after).
Larry Nau says
2018 was our first year to import micro lotus from China. We are on a similar learning curve, as we just “discovered’ these micro lotus earlier this year from a specialist in China. Some cultivars clearly bloom more than others. There is no doubt they require much more attention and not as forgiving as their larger cousins
Rory Cook says
Hello Catherine, I’m in Thailand and I’ve been looking for micro lotus bite haven’t found them, can you tell me where you found them please?
Larry Nau says
Micro lotus originated from several select growers in China. We first introduced them about 4 years ago to the USA and beyond. We can ship to Thailand next spring if you have the appropriate permits. contact us on our email [email protected].
Jesus says
Do you ship to Perú?
Larry Nau says
We have not shipped to Peru to date. Most countries require that you have a plant import permit and we provide a phytosanitary certificate, they cost $40. Then we have shipping. 2019 tubers will not be available until March 2019. Thanks
Margret says
I would love them shipped to Holland, seeds or tubers! Are they easy to grow indoors?
Larry Nau says
Lotus need to grown outside in full sun. To ship to Holland you would need a plant import license for lotus plus we would have to get a phytosanitary certificate which costs $40 for the shipment. Shipping for the 2019 season would start in mid March.
V BANUMATHI says
I want to grow this micro lotus.Will you Register my name to send at available time. Is it possible to send if it is in seed form and can it be shipped to India ( Bangalore Karnataka State)
Larry Nau says
Our lotus are only available by tubers, seed will be different than a named parent. To ship to India you need a current import permit for lotus, we can supply a phytosanitary certificate for $40, but shipping and possible broker’s fees might get expensive unless its a large order.
Daniel Chan says
me too. I am interested to import to Vancouver, BC, Canada. Can I place order ? Will I receive the lotus before Chinese New Year ( 5th.February.2019) ?
thank you
D t Chan
Larry Nau says
First Lotus will not arrive until Mid March. They are not harvested until after Chinese New Year. Second to ship to Canada you need a plant import license and we need to get a phytosanitary certificate from our inspector and that costs $40. so you have the cost of the plant, shipping plus the $40 fee and you a permit. Thank you. Our email is [email protected] to contact us directly
Jo says
Do you ship to Australia?
Larry Nau says
You would need to check the import regulations to bring in live plants into Australia. You will likely need a permit, the tubers may have to be quarantined. We can provide a phytosanitary certificate for $40. Shipping might go EMS or UPS if it just a few tubers.
Virginia says
Hi. How do you grow these micro lotus from seeds? Please advise. I really can’t find any information on it online.
Larry Nau says
Many varieties of true micro lotus do not produce seeds. In 2 years at our nursery, we have never produced any viable seeds, To be true to name they must be propagated by tuber. If seed are produced they should germinate like a typical lotus where removal of part of the seed coat is necessary for germination.
Virginia says
Hello. Thank you for the reply. I am guessing that these seeds are not micro lotus flowers that you grow in bowls. They are smaller than a sesame seed.
Laila says
What is your favorite substrate to plant the tubers in??
Larry Nau says
We normally prefer a heavy top soil, heavy in clay. with the micro lotus we are trying the commercial aquatic plant substrates to see if they are easy to use with the small plants. In China, its just straight soil, whatever is in their yard
Yaisana says
How long it will take to reach in India, and how about the seeds?
Larry Nau says
for India you need an import permit and we need to provide a $40 Phytosanitary certificate. As for time , we have UPS shipment to India clear in 5 days. We do not sell seeds as we then could not guarantee the variety and color. Pre-orders for tubers will start in late September 2019 and shipping starting in late March 2020
Ser Seng says
Hi do you export micro lotus tuber to Singapore?
Larry Nau says
you likely will need a plant import permit. We can provide a phytosanitary certificate for $40. Best to check with you Agriculture Department first. We have had good success with UPS International shipping.
Ivy says
Can they be grown indoor? I live in Seattle and our warm season is short. Can I grow it indoor and move it outside after the weather warms up?
Larry Nau says
Lotus are outdoor plants and do not grow or flower indoors. We have tried a variety of T% and LED lamps with no success. We have had a number of shipments to Washington State, likely over a 100 in past 5 years. BTW you can start inside, get the floating leaves, then move outside to get your standing leaves. Many people do that
Debra says
Hello there , I had a lotus 25 years ago and it was real fragrant are they all or certain types? Also I read earlier in the comment you said mosquito fish can be used in the small pots? Thank you
Larry Nau says
the fragrance of lotus will vary been cultivars. Today we offer about 300 varieties whereas 25 years ago only about 25 varieties were available. Generally single petal lotus tend to have more fragrance. Yes mosquito fish can be used to control mosquitoes but both forms, Eastern and Western, are now illegal to own in New York State ( where we are located). Make sure you check with your state regulations before your purchase any. We will add mosquito dunks now or basic guppies for the season.
Faith W Kinzie says
Hi
I found your website is very informative. Hope that you can help with an question. I would like to grow the bonsai lotus( which i can’t find any information about it, so i assume is a type of small lotus) in a glass container indoor in a sunny spot. Is any kind of fish i can add to the container? Guppies or betta? Don’t have the pond yet, we want to start small. Thank you for your help!
From your discussion, i saw that outdoor will be the best, with that, can i move them outside summer time? Thank you!
Larry Nau says
Micro lotus are the smallest lotus we offer, growing in 4 to 6 inch diameter pots. Lotus are outdoor plants and must be grown outside. You initially will be able to start them inside but the slowly begin to wither and will not flower. Lotus will go dormant during the late fall to early spring, just prevent them from freezing solid. We normally pot our micro lotus so there will be 1 to 2 inches of water above the soil. To date, the couple of lotus we have tried in a glass container have failed. We will be curious to see how yours does.
Jennifer says
Hello,
Help! 🤦♀️ I picked up a pack of lotus seeds for $.50 at a discount store. Never dreaming they were actually sprout. I have never grown an aquatic plant before. All but three of the seeds sprouted and I have growth, however I do not know how to maintain them. Is there a special Matt I need to put in the bottom of the bowl? Do you have the aquatic fertilizer I can purchase mentioned in the article above?
Larry Nau says
you can start lotus inside but they need to grown outside in full sun. Normally we wait until the water/air temps are 65 F.. Mid May in New York.
These are likely full size lotus so they would be planted in a 15 inch solid pot, filled with a heavy clay type of soil. Once the first standing leaf appears then we start to fertilize every 2 week until early September. https://bergenwatergardens.com/chinese-lotus-tubers-for-sale/pondtabbs-plus-humates/
J patra says
Hallo
Can it possible that your product delivered in India. It’s a huge collection and I eagerly want to buy.if it possible then I am glad please reply me.
Larry Nau says
Unless you have a nursery license and plant import permit we can not ship to India. thank you
KM says
Hello
I read in earlier comments that you only have tubers currently. And many mini lotus don’t produce seeds, and even if they do, they might be different from their mother plant. What if we don’t care if they look like their mother plant, is it possible that in the future there might be an option for purchasing mini lotus seeds? Would it be easier to ship to other countries?
Thank you!
Larry Nau says
Seeds still require a phytosanitary certificate, at a cost of $40. Micro lotus seeds are so rare and infrequent, it would be very unusual for a grower to offer them. I bet we have had 3 viable seeds produced in 3 years of growing….from over 100 plants! This is the reason why its taken decades for these few varieties to be created.