Nelumbo nucifera ‘Hong Taiyang’: The Reddest Sun in Your Garden

The Nelumbo nucifera ‘Hong Taiyang’ is a perennial aquatic herb and a variety of lotus. Its name, meaning “Reddest Sun,” is derived from the vibrant red color of its flowers.

This medium-sized species features round, shield-shaped leaves with a slightly wavy edge, smooth upper surface, and a layer of white powder. The erect leaves are 27 centimeters high with a diameter of 25 centimeters.

The flower stem is 40 centimeters high and the flower is 15 centimeters in diameter. The flower is a double-petal type with 72 petals that are red, pink, or white, and are rectangular-elliptical to inverted-egg-shaped.

The flower shape is bowl-like, and the buds are long-peach-shaped in deep purplish-red. There are a few stamens that have transformed into petals, the pistils are normal, but the fruit setting rate is relatively low.

The flowering period is from June to August, and the fruiting period is from August to October.

I. Basic Introduction

Nelumbo nucifera ‘Hong Taiyang’ is a variety of lotus, a perennial aquatic herb. Its rhizome grows horizontally, is plump, with enlarged internodes containing numerous longitudinal air canals and adventitious roots growing underneath.

The leaves are round, shield-shaped, with slightly wavy edges, a smooth upper surface, and a layer of white powder. The leaf stem is robust, cylindrical, and hollow. The flower is a double-petal type with 72 petals.

The flower is bowl-like, and the buds are long-peach-shaped in deep purplish-red. The flower is vibrant red, hence its name derived from the phrase “Reddest Sun.”

It is an aquatic plant that prefers relatively stable, calm shallow waters, lakes, marshes, and ponds as its ideal habitat. It enjoys sunlight and requires full sunlight during its growth period.

Lotus is extremely intolerant to shade, and when grown in semi-shaded areas, it will display a strong phototropic response. This artificially cultivated variety is often used for ornamental purposes in parks and courtyards.

II. Features and Characteristics

This perennial aquatic herb has a horizontally growing, thick rhizome, with enlarged internodes containing numerous longitudinal air ducts. The nodes are constricted, with black scale leaves above and indefinite roots below.

The leaves are round, shield-shaped, 25-90 cm in diameter, slightly wavy at the edges, smooth on top and powdery white, with veins radiating from the center on the underside, branching once or twice.

The leaf stalk is stout, cylindrical, 1-2 meters long, hollow, with small thorns scattered on the outside.

The flower stalk is as long or slightly longer than the leaf stalk, also with small thorns scattered; the flower is 10-20 cm in diameter, beautiful, fragrant; the petals are red, pink, or white, rectangular oval to ovate, 5-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, gradually smaller from the outside in, sometimes becoming stamens, rounded or slightly pointed at the tip; the anthers are strip-shaped, the filaments are slender, attached below the flower disk; the pistil is very short, the stigma is apical; the flower disk (lotus room) is 5-10 cm in diameter.

The nut is oval or egg-shaped, 1.8-2.5 cm long, with a leathery, hard, dark brown skin when ripe; the seed (lotus seed) is egg-shaped or oval, 1.2-1.7 cm long, with a red or white seed coat. The flowering period is from June to August, and the fruiting period is from August to October.

This medium-sized variety has leaves 27 cm high, 25 cm in diameter, flower stalks 40 cm high, and flowers 15 cm in diameter. The flower is a double type.

There are 72 petals, the flower is bowl-shaped, the bud is elongated peach-shaped, deep purple-red. The flower is bright red, hence the occasional name “Sun’s Most Red”.

The stamens have a small number of changed petals, the pistils are normal, but the fruiting rate is relatively low. The flowering period is in late June, with fewer flowers, suitable for pot planting. The leaves are rather green.

III. Habits

Cultivated in ponds or paddy fields. It is an aquatic plant, preferring relatively stable calm shallow water, lakes, marshes, wetlands, ponds, which are its suitable habitats.

The water requirement of the lotus depends on its variety, with large plants requiring deeper water levels, but not exceeding 1.7 meters. Medium and small plants are only suitable for water depths of 20-60 cm.

At the same time, the lotus is very sensitive to water loss. In summer, just 3 hours without watering, the lotus leaves in the water tank will wilt, and if water is stopped for a day, the edges of the lotus leaves will burn, and the flower buds will shrink.

Lotuses also love light very much, and need a full-light environment during the growing period. Lotuses are extremely intolerant of shade, and will show a strong phototropic response when growing in semi-shade.

IV. Cultivation Methods

Water and Fertilizer Management

Lotus is an aquatic plant that requires constant water during its growing period. In the early stages of growth, the water level should be controlled at about three centimeters as too much water is not conducive to raising the soil temperature.

If using tap water, it’s best to store it in a separate tank and expose it to the sun for a day or two before use. Summer is the peak growth period for lotus, and it’s essential to ensure the pot always has water.

After winter, the soil in the pot should be kept moist to prevent the lotus root from drying out due to lack of water.

The main fertilizers for lotus are phosphorus and potassium, supplemented with nitrogen. If the soil is fertile, there may not be a need to add fertilizer throughout the year. Well-rotted manure and poultry droppings are ideal fertilizers.

For small pots, half an ounce is sufficient, and for large pots, only one to two ounces should be applied. Make sure the fertilizer is thoroughly mixed with the soil.

If the leaves turn yellow and weak during the growth period, mix 0.5 grams of urea in the soil, form it into small balls of about 10 grams each, apply one per pot in the center of the soil, and you should see results in about seven days.

Overwintering Management

After winter, move the pot indoors or bury it beneath the frost layer. In areas north of the Yellow River, in addition to burying it beneath the frost layer, cover it with agricultural film and keep the soil in the pot moist throughout the winter.

V. Propagating Methods

Seed Propagation

Firstly, the seed coat needs to be broken. From May to June, grind the concave end of the seed on a cement floor or a rough stone, then soak the seeds to germinate. Maintain clear water and change it frequently.

The seeds should sprout in about a week, and after two weeks, they can be transplanted. Plant one seedling per pot. Keep the water level low and do not submerge the lotus leaves in water. About 90% of the seedlings can bloom in the same year, but not many flowers bloom in the first year.

Rhizome Propagation

Mid-March to mid-April is the best time to repot lotus roots. If planted too early, cold weather can affect the growth, and the rhizomes are susceptible to frost damage. In the northern regions, cover the plants with transparent agricultural film when a cold spell hits.

Before planting, the soil in the pot should be mixed into a paste. When planting, insert the top end of the rhizome into the soil at a 20-degree angle along the edge of the pot.

The depth should be about 5 cm for bowl lotus and about 10 cm for large lotus, with the head lower than the tail. The tail end should be raised to prevent water from entering the lotus root.

After planting, place the pot under the sun to dry until the surface of the soil cracks slightly. This helps the rhizome to adhere completely to the soil. Then add a small amount of water and gradually increase the water level as the buds grow, maintaining a water layer of 3-5 cm.

For pond planting, keep the initial water level the same as in pot planting, and later make sure the water level does not submerge the lotus leaves.

VI. Value and Other Information

Lotus root is an excellent vegetable and candied fruit. The cuisine culture of lotus is rich and varied, with traditional dishes like lotus seed porridge, candied lotus receptacle, lotus root stuffed with meat, steamed meat in lotus leaf, lotus leaf porridge, etc.

The leaves can be used as a substitute for tea and as packaging materials.

Lotus has a strong adaptability to its growing environment. It can not only bloom and sway beautifully in large and small lakes and ponds but also show its grace and charm in small pots and bowls, adding beauty to the environment. Cultivated varieties are often grown in pots for display in parks and courtyards.