If you have a pond and are looking for a good, hardy pond plant to grow in it, then the Bowl lotus is a wonderful addition. The green leaves add coolness and the flowers, blooming in shades of pink or white, adds a touch of color to cheer up an unhappy mood. It does not matter what size pond you have, there is a Bowl lotus plant that will fit.

Depending on the variety of your Bowl lotus, the leaves can grow 4 inches or more in diameter. When new leaves form, they are easy to spot because they stick out of the water 4 to 6 inches. The Bowl lotus blooms in July and August. The flowers range from 3 to 5 inches in diameter. When you order this lotus plant from a garden supply company, they usually come as a dormant tuber. Before planting it into the pond as soon as it arrives, the tuber needs to break dormancy. By following these simple directions, your Bowl lotus will be ready for your pond in a short time.

Break Dormancy

Find a large bowl or container that is larger than the tuber. Fill the bowl with pond water or you can use well-aerated water. Place the container in it near bright area. In order for the root to wake up and begin growing, it needs light to do that. Do no expose the root to direct sunlight. Also, place the container in an area that remains 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a heat mat if you have one.

As soon as your tuber arrives, remove it from the packaging. Wash the tuber gently under slow-running tepid water. Lay the tuber in the container of water. The tuber is light enough to float on top. Every three to seven days, change the water in the container. It takes approximately 2 weeks or more before the tuber breaks dormancy. When you see leaves coming out of the tuber, it is time to remove it from the container of water and get it ready for your pond.

Choosing the Right Pot

The pot that your Bowl lotus needs to grow in, should be at least 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide. There are special lotus pots, but if you want to save some money, use what you have around the house. Some possibilities are kitty litter pans, kitchen pots or an oil pan. Just make sure they have no drainage holes in them and that they are clean.

Fill the container of your choice with river bottom dirt or you can use plain old dirt from your yard. Do not fill the pot full of dirt. It is important to leave it 1 to 4 inches below the rim. Lift the lotus from the container of water, being careful to not break off the growing tip. Place the lotus tuber on top of the dirt, but do not bury it under the soil. Pour in water to keep the dirt from floating away once you place it in your pond. To keep the tuber anchored in the dirt so it does not float away, you'll need to lay a rock or brick on the top. The tuber must have contact with the soil before it can grow.
Placing the Bowl Lotus in Your Pond

Find an area in your pond that will provide another 1 to 6 inches of water over the top of the container. Also, the area should receive at least six hours of sunlight per day. One thing to note when choosing a place in your pond is this: The closer to the shore line you are, the quicker the water will warm up for your lotus to grow.
Feeding the Bowl Lotus

As the season progresses, and when the lotus leaves are as big as your hand, you will need to feed them. There are special fertilizer pond tabs that you can use. Read and apply according to label directions.
Now you can sit back in your lounge chair beside pond and enjoy your Bowl lotus plant. The green color provides a feeling of coolness, while the flower is pleasing to the eye. Add that along with the sounds of water and birds, while watching a dragon fly darting around the various plants growing is an added bonus.