Lotus

Description:

Lotus, known as flower of purity is the National Flower of India. This water plant is very easy to grow. Flowers in pink and white, have a large number of petals and large circular thick leaves. The leaves are sometimes, and the flowers always, raised above the water surface. This beautiful and fragrant flower blooms only for one day. Lotus is considered sacred by the Hindus and the Buddhists.

Habitat:

Lotus can be planted in tanks around 2 1/2 feet deep. Make a mixture of compost, cow dung and sand. Spread a layer of 3 inches thickness at the bottom of the tank. Sunlight is a must for the lotus plant to flower. So tanks should be placed where there is plenty of sunlight. The best time to plant is from March to May. Usually tubers or bulbs are used for planting, seeds can also be used to make new seedlings. Tuber should be planted at 2inches depth inside the sand compost mixture in the tank. Fill the tank with water at a level of 6-8 inches above the tuber. As the plant grows you can fill the tank with more water. You can grow fish in the tank to control pests.

Notes:

From ancient times the lotus has been a divine symbol in Asian traditions representing the virtues of sexual purity and non-attachment. Hindus revere it with the divinities Vishnu and Lakshmi often portrayed on a pink lotus in iconography. In the representation of Vishnu as Padmanabha (Lotus navel), a lotus issues from his navel with Brahma on it. Goddess Sarasvati is portrayed on a white-colored lotus. Often used as an example of divine beauty, Vishnu is often described as the 'Lotus-Eyed One'. Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. In Hindu iconography, other deities, like Ganga and Ganesha are often depicted with lotus flowers as their seats.