{"product_id":"charles-thomas","title":"Lotus - Charles Thomas","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHardy Perennial\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTUBERS ARE AVAILABLE (usually from 15 May - 15 June)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg data-mce-fragment=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0213\/3700\/files\/tuber.jpg?v=1618177061\" alt=\"Lotus Tubers\" width=\"243\" height=\"284\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCharles Thomas Lotus\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNelumbo 'Charles Thomas’ is an excellent medium to large cultivar with medium pink blooms that change to a slightly translucent lavender pink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg data-mce-fragment=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0213\/3700\/files\/charles2.jpg?v=1618590882\" alt=\"Charles Thomas Lotus\" width=\"359\" height=\"272\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e21 petals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e14”-21” leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6”-8” flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrows 2ft-3ft tall when mature in full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater depth: 3\" - 18\" (maximum water depth is for a mature lotus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardiness Zone: 4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- split --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- TABS --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eFURTHER INFORMATION\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to their vigorous growth and blooming, lotuses must be \u003cstrong\u003efertilized\u003c\/strong\u003e each year at the start of summer with slow release fertilizer found here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeep in mind that lotus require 6-8 hours of direct sunshine in order to bloom and grow to their full potential.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eWHAT DO I NEED TO PLANT A TUBER\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGather the following items:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA large (16” min.) ROUND tub without holes. If your container has drainage holes, line the tub with a scrap of rubber liner first. It is very important not to use a square or rectangular tub because tubers will grow into the corners and stop growing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlow release fertilizer found \u003ca title=\"Fertilizer\" href=\"https:\/\/the-bloomin-bog.myshopify.com\/collections\/fertilizer\/products\/plantabbs-fertilizer\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAquatic soil – if you cannot get aquatic soil, use a heavy topsoil with a little clay. Do not use garden soil or anything with peat moss or too much organic material in it. If you do, some of the organic material will float in the water and it will tend to make your newly planted tubers rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA small spade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eHOW TO PLANT A TUBER\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVarieties sold as a “bare-root” must be potted in an 18”-24” round tub (no holes) to keep their invasive roots restrained. Since a large tub can be difficult to manage, many ponders opt to plant a lotus in a container independent of the pond. A suitable container is water-tight and deep enough to allow 3”-5” of water over the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tuber is very fragile, and requires special care when transporting and planting. It should be planted as soon as you buy it (April, May or June). In most cases, a lotus will not flower until well established and in its second year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill tub half way with aquatic soil. Place fertilizer on the leveled soil (prevents leeching into the water).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill the tub with aquatic soil to within 3” of the top of the tub.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLay the lotus tuber flat at the edge of the tub, with the growing tip pointing towards the middle, and the leaf standing up. Do not bury the tuber! Cover the tuber with a couple of small rocks, and stake the leaf if necessary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not attempt to divide the tuber.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not cover the leaf with soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpread about an inch of pea gravel over the top to hold everything in place, and to prevent the soil from clouding the water. Most of the tuber should still be visible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlowly submerge the tub in the pond so it is about 6” below the surface. You may need to use bricks to elevate the tub to the correct height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"235\" width=\"437\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0213\/3700\/files\/grow.jpg?v=1618177374\" alt=\"Lotus\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- \/TABS --\u003e","brand":"The Bloomin Bog","offers":[{"title":"Tuber","offer_id":39326128799843,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0213\/3700\/products\/charles1.jpg?v=1618590920","url":"https:\/\/bloominbog.com\/products\/charles-thomas","provider":"The Bloomin Bog Water Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}