{"title":"Aquatic Lotus","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"87\" data-end=\"111\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"91\" data-end=\"109\"\u003eGenus: Nelumbo\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"112\" data-end=\"314\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"112\" data-end=\"123\"\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nelumbonaceae\u003cbr data-start=\"137\" data-end=\"140\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"140\" data-end=\"157\"\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sacred Lotus, Indian Lotus, Water Lotus\u003cbr data-start=\"197\" data-end=\"200\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"217\"\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Native to Asia and North Australia; cultivated worldwide in warm temperate to tropical regions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"316\" data-end=\"780\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"316\" data-end=\"332\"\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"332\" data-end=\"335\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"344\"\u003eNelumbo\u003c\/em\u003e is a genus of large, aquatic perennial plants renowned for their spectacular, fragrant flowers and distinctive round, peltate leaves that often rise above the water surface. The Sacred Lotus (\u003cem data-start=\"537\" data-end=\"555\"\u003eNelumbo nucifera\u003c\/em\u003e) is culturally and religiously significant in many Asian countries and is a common feature in ornamental ponds and water gardens. These plants grow from large rhizomes anchored in the muddy substrate of shallow water bodies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"782\" data-end=\"799\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"782\" data-end=\"797\"\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"800\" data-end=\"1170\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"800\" data-end=\"842\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"802\" data-end=\"842\"\u003ePrefers full sun for optimal flowering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"843\" data-end=\"940\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"845\" data-end=\"940\"\u003eGrows best in nutrient-rich, muddy or silty soils submerged in shallow water (15–45 cm depth)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"1033\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"943\" data-end=\"1033\"\u003eHardy in Zones 4–10 depending on cultivar; may require winter protection in colder areas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1034\" data-end=\"1096\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1036\" data-end=\"1096\"\u003eRequires large containers or pond areas for healthy growth\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1097\" data-end=\"1170\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1099\" data-end=\"1170\"\u003eDivide rhizomes every few years to maintain vigour and control spread\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1172\" data-end=\"1198\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1172\" data-end=\"1196\"\u003eInteresting Tidbits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1735\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1323\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1201\" data-end=\"1323\"\u003eThe lotus flower is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and rebirth in many cultures, especially in Hinduism and Buddhism\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1429\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1429\"\u003eSeeds of \u003cem data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1344\"\u003eNelumbo\u003c\/em\u003e can remain viable for centuries, with some germinating after more than 1,000 years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1430\" data-end=\"1534\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1432\" data-end=\"1534\"\u003eAll parts of the plant are edible: seeds, young leaves, and rhizomes are used in cooking across Asia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1535\" data-end=\"1642\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1537\" data-end=\"1642\"\u003eThe lotus leaf is naturally water-repellent, inspiring biomimicry in materials science (“lotus effect”)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1643\" data-end=\"1735\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1735\"\u003eThe flowers open in the morning and close at night, typically lasting three to five days\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.scottsnurseryonline.com\/collections\/aquatic-lotus.oembed","provider":"Scott's Nursery Ltd. ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}