How to Plant Tiger Lotus Bulbs: Things You Need to Know in Growing Tiger Lotus and Common Problems You May Face
Tiger lotus bulbs take a little patience and skill to plant, but the result is well worth it. Before planting, soak the bulb in water for 24 hours. This will help the bulb root properly and grow healthy roots. When producing the bulb, ensure to fill a pot two-thirds full with soil and insert the bulb at an angle, so the earth fully covers it.
Water the plant well, and be patient – the bulb will grow! When the flower stem has grown long enough, gently remove it from the soil to get a healthy tuber.
Table of Contents
How to Grow a Tiger Lotus
Bulb and Soil
Growing a tiger lotus bulb is not as difficult as it seems. All you need is the correct bulb and suitable soil. Purchase the bulb from your local nursery or garden center, and plant the bulb in a pot that is about two feet wide and one foot deep. Add some good soil (a combination of garden soil and compost) to the bank and tamp it lightly with your hands.
Water the plant regularly – once weekly during the growing season, then once a month during dormancy/hibernation. Allow the bulb to grow until the roots are approximately two inches long, and then transplant the plant to a larger pot. You’re ready to enjoy the beautiful blooms of a tiger lotus!
Pruning
Dead leaves and trimming back the flowering stems should be done every few weeks. Aquarium lotus is sensitive to high fertilizer levels, so make sure to use the right kind for the plant’s species.
Propagating
Tiger lotus is one of the most popular lily varieties, and for a good reason. They are beautiful plants that can add a touch of elegance to any space. However, you’ll need to propagate these plants to get the most out of them.
Propagation is easy – place one node in water and wait for roots to form. Once rooted, remove the plant from the water and discard any foliage or flowers that have formed. Plant your new tiger lotus in a pot with fresh soil, and water it well!
Lighting
You can plant tiger lotus bulbs in your garden – they don’t need direct sunlight to grow. Instead, water the tiger lotus bulbs well and fertilize them every couple of weeks to keep them healthy and happy.
How to Grow Tiger Lotuses in Aquariums
Tiger lotus bulbs are one of the most popular aquatic plants because they grow fast and have long blooming periods. These flowers grow roots in the water, so ensure the aquarium has at least 10 gallons of water – the minimum size required for tiger lotus planting.
When planting the tiger lotus bulbs, ensure the water is murky and the substrate is damp. Do not add fertilizer or water-soluble fertilizer to the aquarium, as this will disturb the plant’s roots. Ensure you provide the right light, water, and nutrients to the plant, and be prepared to take care of its high maintenance costs.
Difficulties Aquarists Encounter With This Plant
If you plan to plant tiger lotus bulbs in your aquarium, be prepared for some difficulty. This tropical plant can be difficult to water correctly, and aquarists often encounter challenges such as growing too large and invasive roots. However, with the right amount of care and attention, you can successfully grow a tiger lotus in your aquarium.
Enormous Root Systems
Tiger lotus bulbs have an enormous root system, which can get very tangled if not kept under control. They also require a large amount of space. If you cannot keep their roots contained, they will quickly take over your entire tank!
Overwhelming Seed Production
Aquarists often struggle with an overwhelming amount of seed production regarding growing tiger lotus bulbs. This can be very time-consuming and frustrating, discouraging the whole process.
However, you can take steps to improve the odds of success – such as soaking the seeds for a more extended period. If all else fails, purchasing plants from a nursery or online store is always possible.
Nevertheless, purchasing plants from these places won’t guarantee that they will germinate and grow into healthy tiger lotus plants – so do your research first!
Massive Growth
Tiger lotus is a notoriously difficult plant to take care of – and it doesn’t get any easier the older it gets. Aquarists often have trouble with its massive growth, experiencing problems such as flooding and drainage issues.
There are various ways to overcome these difficulties, but they all require time, effort, and patience. For the most part, though, tiger lotus plants make beautiful additions to any aquarium – provided you’re prepared for the hard work that comes with owning one!
High Nutrient Requirements
Tiger lotus is a beautiful aquatic plant that requires high levels of nutrients to grow properly. If these requirements are not met, the plant will die. While it can tolerate low water quality, aquarists often face other problems, such as poor water quality and overgrowth from other plants.
It’s essential to adjust your aquarium water parameters if you have this plant in your tank – otherwise, you may end up with dead tiger lotus leaves or roots floating on the surface. Other common issues include fish overcrowding and algae growth.
Pheromone Concerns (Myth)
There are a lot of misconceptions about tiger lotus, the most common of which is that it’s a complex plant to grow. However, this isn’t the case; its pheromones can benefit fish!
Some aquarists believe that the pheromones will harm their fish, but this is not true. In reality, over-watering and under-watering are the two leading causes of difficulty with tiger lotus plants.