Lotus - the sacred flower of Buddhism surprises scientists all over the world.

Description

Lotus is a perennial plant that is the only representative of its family. The culture has an unusual structure and large, bright flowers that have medicinal properties. The length of the plant, together with the underwater rhizome, reaches about 1.5 meters. The lotus is called the underwater lily. The peculiarity of the plant is its flowering - the flowers open early in the morning, at dawn, and close at sunset.

The rhizome is developed and powerful. The light roots are highly branched, often the lateral roots are attached to the bottom or cling to underwater plants. Modified types of stems extend from the base of the root collar, the length of which reaches 2 meters. Shoots are solitary, rarely branching. The surface of the modified shoots is covered with small but sharp thorns, with the help of which the plant protects itself from aquatic animals that want to feed on the stems. The stem is dense, light green in color.

In water, the lotus forms dense thickets that completely cover the surface of the reservoir with dark, large green leaves. The length of each leaf plate resembles a shield, consisting of a smooth and dense surface, up to 70 cm long. The lotus has 3 types of leaves - underwater, floating and above-water. The underwater type of foliage is quite small and is necessary to enrich the main part of the plant with nutrients. Aboveground foliage consists of large dark plates that are covered with a small light coating. With the help of this coating, the lotus constantly remains on the surface, its foliage and flowers remain dry.

When flowering, large, juicy flowers are formed that are highly decorative. Inflorescences appear on a long peduncle formed from the axil of the leaves. The flowers are regular in shape, multi-petaled. The diameter of the inflorescences is about 15-30 cm. Unlike many other crops, the flowers always turn towards the sunny side. Depending on the species, the flowers can be pink, white or bicolor. At the same time, at the beginning of flowering, all flowers have a delicate pink color, which gradually lightens to white. Petals with smooth edges, rounded shape. Each plant blooms for about 3-4 days.

After flowering, fruits—pods with seeds—appear at the site where the buds form. Under the weight of its own weight, the seed box first sinks to the water and gradually ripens, then bursts. The seeds, scattered to the depths of the reservoir, are small spherical nuts, dense and strong. The time of growth of new seedlings depends on weather conditions and water temperature: in warm weather, seedlings sprout immediately; in cool water, fruits can be stored in water for a long time.

Lotus yellow. What is a flower of paradise

In reality, this incredibly beautiful flower is a perennial plant, belongs to the genus Dicotyledonous, is the only representative of the lotus family and comes in yellow or pink color (it is interesting that white, red and blue water lilies are also sometimes classified as lotuses).

These amazing plants grow only in water - in river deltas, in muddy channels, creeks, sometimes they can be seen high in the mountains (for example, in India this flower feels great at an altitude of one and a half kilometers).

Lotuses are thermophilic, demanding plants and do not grow everywhere (which is why they are included in the Red Book): yellow prefers water bodies in South and Central America, Jamaica, Hawaii, while pink can often be seen in Asia, Japan, India, got to Australia. It also blooms in Russia - in the Volga delta, in the Far East, in Kuban, where on the Taman Peninsula there is an incredibly beautiful water garden: the amazing Lotus Valley.

A blooming lotus looks like this:

Among the bright green leaves floating on the surface of the water there is a large flower, about 30 cm in diameter, always turned towards the sun. The smell of lotus flowers is not strong, but extremely pleasant;
The plant has a yellow corolla surrounded by several rows of petals in delicate pink or yellow shades. The tone of the petal near the base is much richer than at the edge;
The rhizome of the plant is thick, long (in some species the length can exceed 350 km) - the flower needs such dimensions in order to be able to reach the bottom and extract nutrients from the soil;
The petals and leaves of the lotus are covered with a waxy coating, so under the sun's rays they glow and shimmer like mother-of-pearl, while water does not linger on them and rolls off like mercury; Above-water lotus leaves, about 70 cm long, rise several centimeters above those in the water; lotus leaves immersed in water have a scale-like shape;
The seeds of the plant look like dark-colored nuts: they have a woody skin with a small hole for the embryo. Interesting fact: seeds that were over a thousand years old were once discovered in the peat bogs of China. After they were planted, the flower sprouted and blossomed.

Spreading

Lotus is a heat-loving representative of flowering plants, for its active cultivation it is necessary to constantly maintain the water temperature. You can see wild species in the south of Russia. The plant is also common in eastern and central Asia. The plant is listed in the Red Book of almost all countries in which it lives, since it is an endangered species. The plants are found in single copies in the southern part of America.

Cultivated plant varieties can be found throughout the southern tropical climate. Lotus is actively grown in Australia, as well as in the southern regions of our country. In temperate climates, the crop is grown only for decorative purposes in artificially created reservoirs that can maintain a constant water temperature.

Representatives of the lotus family

Despite the fact that the blooming lotus comes in different colors, there are only two species of representatives of the lotus family.

Nut lotus

The significance of the pink lotus is great because it means Buddha: when he was born, an incredibly beautiful rain of petals from this beautiful plant fell on the earth. Subsequently, absolutely all significant events that took place in his life were marked by the appearance of heavenly petals. For Hindus, a pink lotus signifies a person's attempt to approach nirvana (Buddha was the first mortal to achieve this state).

Despite the fact that the Indian lotus is listed in the Red Book of Russia, the halo of its distribution is extensive: from the tropical and temperate regions of Asia to Australia.

The plant begins to bloom in the second half of summer and throughout the entire period its petals constantly change their color: if at first they are bright pink, then they gradually become white.

Despite the fact that this plant grows mainly only in warm countries, in the south of Russia there is a magnificently beautiful water garden; the pink lotus has so successfully taken root near the Akhatanizovsky estuary on the Taman Peninsula that it has formed an incredibly beautiful area called the Lotus Valley.

Lotus Valley is completely covered with floating green leaves. They are decorated with the most delicate pink flowers, opening at dawn and closing in the afternoon into a dense bud. The pink lotus blooms for about four to five days, after which the petals fall off. Due to the fact that the rhizome of the plant is constantly growing, roots, leaves and one peduncle appear at each node, thanks to which the Lotus Valley blooms until September.

Lotus yellow (American)

The yellow flower is common on the South American continent and the islands nearby. In terms of its characteristics, this species is similar to the Indian one, only the emergent leaves of the lotus are more durable, and the flower smells stronger.

Kinds

There are only a few species in the wild. The plant is gradually dying out, which is why the number of species is rapidly decreasing. According to the data, only 2 species of this plant are found growing wild, which live in Asia and South America.

Nut lotus Nelumbo nucifera

A representative of amphibian plants that lives mainly in the southern regions of Asia. Grown as an ornamental in Australia and the Far East. This perennial has a knotty rhizome, well developed and powerful. The lotus is considered a relict species, with large floating leaves. The stems of this plant are underwater, a small stem is located in the silt, modified shoots emerge from it, which are often confused with the stems themselves. The length of the shoots of this variety often exceeds 2 meters.

Flowering of this species lasts only for a few days. During this time, the bright pink color of the petals gives way to rich white or cream. The peculiarity of the flowering of this species is the long straight peduncle, due to which the inflorescences are located not on the surface of the water, but above it. The plant is considered a honey plant; the aroma and fragrance of the flowers attracts various insects that participate in pollinating the flowers.

The peculiarity of the culture is that all parts are edible. It is used not only for culinary purposes, but also as a medicinal raw material, as well as in the manufacture of household and industrial goods.

Yellow Lotus or American Lotus Nelumbo lutea

A herbaceous perennial that differs from other representatives in its rich yellow flowers with a yellow core. The inflorescences of this variety, unlike the previous one, are small in size, not exceeding 23-25 cm in diameter. Depending on the growing conditions, the inflorescences take on a beige, yellow or snow-white color. Flowering lasts longer, some buds remain decorative for up to 7 days.

The yellow lotus grows wild mainly in the south of America. The plant is found along the swampy edges of water bodies, most often spreading along the shore, in the muddy bottom.

Other types

It is customary to indicate only 2 main types of lotus in information sources. However, in fact, there are several more varieties that are found in nature in single copies. Some sources of information contain a description of Komarov's lotus. The plant lives along the shores of the Caspian Sea and is found in small dense thickets. The peculiarity of the culture is its fairly good resistance to cold. In addition, in Asian countries there is a description of the Chinese lotus, which in fact is an ordinary white water lily. No other species are found.

Where does the lotus flower grow? What is a flower of paradise

This flower is admired, admired, and worshiped: after all, the lotus is a symbol of the gods.
In different religions it has its own meaning and means life, rebirth, purity, oblivion, peace, fertility, and some peoples consider it as the interaction of the male and female principles. In reality, this incredibly beautiful flower is a perennial plant, belongs to the genus Dicotyledonous, is the only representative of the lotus family and comes in yellow or pink color (it is interesting that white, red and blue water lilies are also sometimes classified as lotuses).

A blooming lotus looks like this:

Among the bright green leaves floating on the surface of the water there is a large flower, about 30 cm in diameter, always turned towards the sun. The smell of lotus flowers is not strong, but extremely pleasant;
The plant has a yellow corolla surrounded by several rows of petals in delicate pink or yellow shades. The tone of the petal near the base is much richer than at the edge;
The rhizome of the plant is thick, long (in some species the length can exceed 350 km) - the flower needs such dimensions in order to be able to reach the bottom and extract nutrients from the soil;
The petals and leaves of the lotus are covered with a waxy coating, so under the sun's rays they glow and shimmer like mother-of-pearl, while water does not linger on them and rolls off like mercury; Above-water lotus leaves, about 70 cm long, rise several centimeters above those in the water; lotus leaves immersed in water have a scale-like shape;
The seeds of the plant look like dark-colored nuts: they have a woody skin with a small hole for the embryo. Interesting fact: seeds that were over a thousand years old were once discovered in the peat bogs of China. After they were planted, the flower sprouted and blossomed.

Popular varieties

In terms of cultural significance, much attention is paid to hybrid garden varieties that have high decorative characteristics and easily coexist in artificial reservoirs. The most famous varieties actively grown under artificial conditions are the following categories:

Blooming pink water lilies - Kermesina, Carolina Queen and Pulchra;
Varieties with white and snow-white shades of petals are Alba Grandiflora and Goliath.

In addition, today the Alba Striata variety has become popular among lovers of unusual flowers, the peculiarity of which is the presence of two colors on the petals. The plant is quite large in volume; unopened buds resemble a small white and pink ball, which also gives the crop a decorative appearance.

Garden varieties grown under artificial conditions include the following species, which are also grown to decorate landscape design:

Pygmaea Alba is a white lotus whose inflorescences do not exceed 10 cm in diameter. Such crops look good in small bodies of water. The small size of the buds is brightened up by abundant flowering, which often creates an unusual green-white canvas on the surface of the water;
Lily Pons is an unusual variety that has inflorescences in the form of a dense cup, purple or light pink in color;
Moto Botan is a dwarf hybrid that does not form thickets. It is distinguished by its small size, due to which the crop is planted in pots or small barrels with water.

Some gardeners combine different varieties, planting several species in one pond at the same time. In this way, crossing and the appearance of unusual flowers in color and shape occur.

Water lilies

Lotuses include white, red and even blue lotuses. The red lotus is a symbol of India (in books it symbolizes not only the original nature and purity of the heart, but is also the lotus of love, compassion, passion, in a word, its meaning contains all the properties of the heart). It is believed that the present lives in the rays of the Red Sun, and Buddha Shakmuni reigns over all things, whose throne is the Red Lotus.

But the ancient Egyptians believed that the white lotus symbolized sleep and sweet oblivion, since the Nile white lotus, unlike its relatives, opened only at night. Whereas the Chinese and Japanese still eat the candied roots of this water lily, believing that the white lotus will prolong their youth and preserve their beauty for as long as possible.

But the most important thing for the ancients (judging by the books) was the blue lotus - it symbolized immortality, since it was able to survive and continue to grow even after a long drought. The blue lotus amazed with the ability of its seeds to remain viable for many years (the blue lotus of the ancient Egyptians often decorated tombs and sarcophagi)

The Chinese believed that the blue lotus was a symbol of female beauty, and the Hindus went even further: their goddess Brahma, the creator of the universe, arose from a lotus flower

The blue lotus amazed with the ability of its seeds to remain viable for many years (the blue lotus of the ancient Egyptians often decorated tombs and sarcophagi). The Chinese believed that the blue lotus was a symbol of female beauty, and the Hindus went even further: their goddess Brahma, the creator of the universe, arose from a lotus flower.

In addition to its symbolic meaning, the blue lotus also had a practical meaning: perfumes, various drinks and smoking mixtures have long been made from its petals. It is interesting that several years ago the blue lotus was included in the list of narcotic drugs in Russia and its petals and leaves were prohibited for consumption.

True, a year later the ban was lifted, but its characterization as a plant containing narcotic and psychotropic substances, and therefore requiring supervision, remained.

First steps after purchase

When buying a lotus in a store or market, you need to carefully examine the plant for the appearance of other fungal pathologies on the stem and leaves. It is important that the stem is not damaged or chipped. The rhizome must be in water. The foliage should be rich in color, bright and free of yellow spots.

Immediately after purchase, the plant can be immediately placed in a new habitat. The plant easily takes root in a new reservoir, even if it is during active flowering. For prevention, before planting a lotus in a container with other crops, it is necessary to keep it in quarantine for several days. In addition, experienced gardeners recommend treating the crop with insecticidal and fungicidal agents after purchase in order to maintain the crop’s resistance to other pathologies and to protect other plants.

Description of the plant and its varieties

Lotus is a heat-loving plant that can be found in the southern regions of the planet. North Africa is considered the birthplace of the plant. It was first discovered on the Nile River.

Lotus prefers to grow in large thickets in water. It grows in the lakes of the Khanka Plain of the Ussuri River, and is also found on the Volga, Kura, and Amur. Prefers warm water, muddy bottom, the water depth of which is 2 meters.

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The flower opens in the morning and closes in the evening. Flowering continues for 3 days. It has a diameter of 30 cm. When blooming, it has a rich pink color, which fades every day.

Growing in indoor ponds and winter gardens

The amphibian plant can be grown in indoor aquariums, as well as in winter gardens. In this case, it is necessary to take into account all the characteristics of the plant and observe all conditions close to natural. In addition, in the case of planting lotus in indoor containers, it is important to understand that in this case the plant becomes deciduous, so its decorative effect is preserved only in the summer. In order to keep the lotus decorative all year round, care must be taken to create additional comfort, lighting and warmth for the flower.

Priming

For the normal development of lotus at home, it needs high-quality and nutritious soil. For lotus, choose a loamy substrate, which is placed at the bottom of a container with water. To provide conditions that are comfortable for the rhizome, many gardeners recommend using silted river soil or peat bog mixed with sand and a drainage layer. Drainage is considered a necessary condition for normal crop cultivation. Fine gravel, pebbles or other small types of stones are chosen as a drainage layer. After placing the soil in the container and planting the plant, the top of the substrate is also sprinkled with a layer of gravel or sand.

Illumination

In order for the crop to actively gain growth, you should place the container with the flower in a bright place, protected from wind and drafts. However, it is necessary to understand that the lotus does not tolerate constant direct sunlight on the foliage. Therefore, when planting, choose a place that will be protected from the hot scorching heat at noon. In addition, when choosing a location, it is important to take into account the angle of light, since the inflorescences always face the sun. If the angle is too narrow, the plant will lose its decorative appearance and the flower will not point straight up.

Temperature

The lotus grows and develops only in a warm environment. It is important for the crop to maintain room temperature all year round. In the case of growing a plant in water, the lotus is placed in a liquid whose temperature does not exceed 25 degrees, but not lower than 18 degrees. Therefore, when planting a crop with other plants, it is worth taking into account the peculiarities of the temperature regime for other crops.

Fertilizer

Cultivated varieties must be regularly fertilized using complex fertilizers. The fertilizer used is fertilizer for aquarium plants. An important part of such fertilizers is calcium and sulfur in the composition, which is necessary for underwater lilies. At the same time, there are specific features of the fertilizer that are also taken into account during cultivation.

The first feeding must be done in the ground when planting. If this has not been done, then the lotus begins to be fertilized for the first time immediately after the surface leaves appear. It is important not to overfeed the plant, since in this case the activity and duration of flowering suffers - all the energy goes into the foliage. After the first fertilizing, further fertilizers are applied no more than once every 20 days, observing certain rules and the amount of substance applied.

Container

To grow lotus at home, you should not choose a container with a shallow depth. In order for the rhizome to actively gain size, a depth of at least half a meter is required. The container for the culture should be wide enough, the diameter should be approximately equal to the depth. Lotus also grows quickly in any wide container.

It is fashionable to choose any container composition as a container - glass, ceramic or plastic. Lotus is actively grown in any container, based on landscape design and decorative qualities.

How to grow a lotus flower at home?

Growing a homemade lotus flower is not an easy task. Breeders are constantly working to improve existing varieties. Recently, miniature varieties have been developed that can be grown at home even in a small bowl. Lotus is propagated by seeds and division of rhizomes. The first method is used in regions far from the tropics. Such plants grow more resistant to temperature fluctuations and summer droughts. But a lotus grown from a rhizome blooms earlier, but to do this you need to take shoots from an adult, preferably an eight-year-old plant.

Lotus planting

For those who decide to grow a lotus flower at home from seeds, you should know that in order for them to germinate as quickly as possible, you need to saw the nuts at the blunt end and then place them in a small bowl with clean water. After 5 days, the first shoots appear. The optimum water temperature in the container should be maintained within 18-15ºС. After two weeks, the small plants are ready to be planted in a permanent location.

The lotus flower can be grown both in open water and at home. In the latter case, the container is filled with earth or peat to a depth of 4-5 cm and filled with water to a depth of 50 cm. The sprouts, along with underwater leaves, are buried 6-8 cm into the soil. The above-water leaves remain floating on the surface. Water should be added from time to time. To grow a lotus from a rhizome, you need to separate a small piece from it and plant it in the ground with water, which should be changed every three days, since the sprouts will die in stagnant water. However, it is very difficult to obtain such planting material from water.

How to care for lotus?

Since the water lily and nut lotus naturally live in the tropics, the temperature at home should be maintained within 25-30º C. The home lotus flower loves light, so it is better to place the container with the plant in the brightest place. When growing a lotus in an artificial pond in the yard, you can install small fountains there, which will look very attractive and additionally humidify the air around the flowers.

By winter, those flowers that are grown in a pond or any open body of water must be insulated by covering them with foam plastic. From a lotus pot that is grown at home, you need to drain some of the water, cover it with moss and put it in a cool, dark place. If these conditions are met, the crop will be preserved, rested, and given abundant flowering in the new season.

Growing in a garden pond

Growing lotus in garden conditions is also possible. However, if in the southern climate the growing process is not difficult, then in a temperate climate the plant will have to create additional conditions. If you follow all the rules, you can grow a plant quickly enough in any conditions.

When growing lotus in garden conditions of a temperate climate, preference is given to potted plants or cultivation in small ponds. Since it is recommended to remove such plants for the winter. Lotuses planted in open ground or in a pond feel good only in southern climates and mild conditions.

Transfer

Plants are transplanted into an open reservoir or into other garden devices for lotus only when the water temperature warms up to at least 20 degrees. Transplantation of healthy bushes is carried out during periods of active growing season. It is recommended to place the lotus in water before flowering so that the plant can get used to and take root in the pond.

Conditions for maintaining pond water quality

In order for the lotus to actively grow in the pond, as well as to avoid the appearance of pathologies, optimal conditions in the nutrient medium are maintained. Thus, to maintain an optimal environment, the following conditions are important:

Constant influx of fresh water - since the water in the pond constantly evaporates, excess substances harmful to the lotus remain in the water. Therefore, water is regularly added to the pond when there is no rain for a long time. In case of prolonged absence of solar heat, water is removed and added artificially. In this case, up to 10% of water is regularly removed and the same amount is added. Water circulation in artificial ponds is done with garden pumps, which ensure the required water level in the reservoir.
A prerequisite for cultivation in a pond is the saturation of the rhizome with oxygen. In garden conditions, filters for artificial ponds will help with this.

Regular adherence to the rules and care of the plant provides the crop with optimal conditions, and also stimulates growth and reproduction, long-term flowering of the crop, and an increase in inflorescences in diameter.

Lotus Flower

Lotus is a flower whose history goes back to ancient times. The flower itself is a large water lily, the petals and leaves of which are covered with a waxy coating, thanks to which they do not get wet and always remain above the water. Lotus has very powerful rhizomes. Leaves can be submerged, floating or erect. Lotus flowers can reach up to 30 cm in diameter and are pink, cream or yellow. When the lotus blooms, its flower is always facing the Sun. For this reason, and also because the lotus is used in cooking and folk medicine, this flower is considered a sacred plant in some cultures.

The lotus flower opens at dawn and closes in the evening. Early in the morning the flower can be bright pink, and in the afternoon you can distinguish shades on the flower from white to pink. It is best to pick lotus flowers at dawn to use them in medicine or cooking.

The Lotus flower is listed in the Red Book. Therefore, such flowers can be picked only in specially designated areas where lotus is grown for medicinal and food needs. In order to grow a lotus, it is necessary to create a pond measuring at least 3 by 3 meters and at least 70 cm deep. In the summer, the bottom of the reservoir must be cleared of duckweed and branches so that the bottom and water remain clean. The ideal option is to line the bottom of the reservoir with pebbles so that silt does not accumulate at the bottom. Silt can reduce the depth of a pond, which can even lead to the death of a lotus flower. The best option for a lotus would be if the pond is shaded by a tree.

You can plant a lotus manually if planting occurs using rhizomes. If seeds or germinated seeds are planted, they can simply be thrown into the water. It is best to plant reeds along the edges of the pond to make the lotus more comfortable in winter.

The lotus fruit is located inside the flower, and has the shape of a cone with seeds in the form of dark-colored nuts with a very dense skin and a hole so that the embryo can breathe. Lotus seeds are distinguished by their vitality. They can survive for several hundred years and give life once they get into the right habitat. There is a known case when lotus seeds lay for 1200 years and gave birth to a new flower as soon as they were placed in a pond with the necessary conditions.

There are two varieties of lotus:

Nut lotus - characterized by a large pink flower with a pleasant aroma. Flowering period – July – August. Distributed in India, China, Japan, the Far East (Russia), Australia and other regions.

Yellow lotus (American) - common in South and North America, which is why it got its name. The color of its flowers can range from cream to snow-white.

Secrets of success

If the lotus is kept indoors for the winter, then before placing it in an open reservoir in the spring, the plant is ventilated and hardened. Regular refreshment helps the crop get used to outdoor conditions and makes it easier to fight diseases and pests.

During dormancy, it is important to properly organize periods of light and shade for the lotus. In addition, an important rule for the transition of a plant to winter is the gradual cessation of water supply to ponds or pots. When digging up or removing a plant that is outside in the summer, a basement or dark cellar is suitable for the wintering place. They do this until the lotus sheds its last leaves. In winter, to keep the flower fresh, keep the temperature at least 10 degrees.

To ensure that the plant does not die in the winter in a pond, after the fruits ripen and fall, the entire surface part of the bush is completely cut off. In this case, only the root remains to winter. In addition, if the plant is left in open ground for the winter, after ice has formed, a thick layer of foam is placed on it.

How to grow a symbol of the gods

Since this amazing flower is a plant that lives only in bodies of water, few people think of the idea of growing lotuses at home. There are such lovers - moreover, among them there are experimenters who managed to grow this flower in a bathtub (however, then they still had to take the plant to the pond).

In order for the embryo to “wake up” faster, you need to saw off the peel from the blunt end of the lotus seed, and then place the seeds in a jar of water. In about five days, a sprout will emerge from the seed and begin to grow. Having reached the surface of the water, the sprout will begin to unfold, forming a small lotus leaf.

Plants should be planted in a pond only in the warm season, when the danger of late frosts has disappeared (it is advisable that the water temperature at a depth of 0.5 meters be about 30 degrees). The sprouts should be planted only in shallow water, carefully immersed in the soil to a depth of about six centimeters, so that the leaves remain on the surface (otherwise the young plant, not being able to gain a foothold with its roots, will drown).

When planting a plant, you need to take into account that the root can “fall asleep” for several years and wake up only when favorable conditions appear for its development. It is not for nothing that the lotus is a symbol of rebirth, because it managed to survive the Ice Age.

Possible difficulties

When growing lotus, certain difficulties often arise, which can be overcome by providing the crop with high-quality care and cultivation conditions.

Faded leaves and flowers

Darkening and falling of the petals ahead of schedule may indicate that the crop is receiving little sunlight. Another reason for this condition is the low temperature of the water in the container or reservoir. The plant may also wilt due to insufficient nutrients in the soil. As a rule, after eliminating deficiencies and fertilizing the soil, the lotus quickly recovers.

Root rotting

Rotting of the rhizome is a common problem that occurs when the water in the container in which the flower grows is of poor quality. This condition can also be caused by fungal infections. To prevent the death of the crop, the plant is periodically sprayed with a fungicidal agent, and the water in the container is regularly refreshed.

Slow growth

In a high-quality environment, the lotus quickly develops and begins to bloom. The main reason for quiet growth and development is considered to be a small amount of sunlight or poor composition of the water in the container. Some varieties stop growing due to poor-quality soil containing few useful substances. With normalization of fertilizer, as well as regular replacement of water of normal quality, the plant quickly recovers.

Lotus family

Lotus is a herbaceous perennial that lives in an aquatic environment. The plant has a thick rhizome lying in the soil at the bottom of the reservoir, emergent leaves and flowers on long petioles. Large, up to 70 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped lotus leaves are covered with a waxy coating, so they do not get wet. They rise above the water, which distinguishes them from nymphs and water lilies. Large, up to 30 cm in diameter, single multi-petaled lotus flowers, somewhat raised above the water surface due to the high peduncle, can be colored pink, yellow, or cream. A blooming lotus changes its location following the movement of the sun. The lotus fruit is a cone-shaped capsule with numerous seeds and nuts.

In the cultures of India, Egypt, China, Sri Lanka and some other countries, the lotus is considered a sacred plant.

The lotus family has only two species:

Nut lotus (N. nucifera) is a relict representative of the lotus family. Spectacular large flowers, bright pink at the beginning of flowering, gradually change color to white, and have a subtle pleasant aroma. The seed method of propagation of this species is not effective; plants are propagated by rhizomes.
Yellow lotus or American lotus (N. lutea) is widespread throughout the North American and South American continents. The flower is quite large, fragrant, and can be painted snow-white or cream.

Popular lotus varieties:

"Alba Grandiflora" - large white flowers;
"Lily Pons" - cup-shaped flowers of salmon or pinkish color;
"Kermesina" - red double flowers;
"Mrs Perry D. Slocum" - large pink flowers that become creamy over time;
"Moto Botan" is a container variety with deep crimson flowers.

Wintering

To cultivate lotus, it is important to take into account the fact that the plant prefers to grow in warm climates. If the plant is cultivated in pots, then immediately after flowering and fruit formation, the crop is brought into the house or basement. It is important to properly prepare the lotus for wintering in order to preserve the perennial in winter and provide it with the necessary rest.

After the lotom has flowered and released its seeds, the pots with the plant gradually stop watering. This is how the culture prepares itself for the dormant period. In winter, the lotus container is kept in a dark room where the temperature does not exceed 15 degrees. Some gardeners recommend removing the aboveground part of the crop to preserve nutrients for the next year of growth. Closer to spring, when the temperature outside begins to increase, the lotus is ventilated and hardened. To do this, the pot is gradually taken out into the open air, constantly increasing the amount of ventilation. After the air temperature warms up to 22 degrees at night, the lotus is finally taken outside.

You can also keep the perennial in a pond in winter. In order to preserve the plant and prevent damage and freezing from the cold, the crop is completely cut off, almost to the rhizome. After a dense crust has formed on the pond, a thick layer of covering material is laid over the years to maintain the temperature of the roots at an optimal level. In spring after the snow melts. The covering material is removed, the water in the reservoir is drained by 10% and new, clean water is added. The reservoir is also aerated.

Off the banks of the Nile

In Ancient Egypt, the lotus was considered a sacred flower that absorbed the power and energy of the sun. It is not surprising, because it is inextricably linked with the names of many ancient Egyptian gods.

It is believed that the sun god himself, Ra, emerged from a flower. The lord of the sun at his rising - Horus - is also certainly depicted surrounded by buds. The lord of fertility, the regenerator of life, Osiris and his beautiful wife Isis sat on thrones decorated with lotuses, and even the legendary Nefertiti herself loved these flowers.

Imitating the Gods, rulers and pharaohs decorated everything around with lotus symbols: headdresses, majestic scepters, tombs, tombs, beds of newborns, gold coins, temples, architectural ensembles. In the upper reaches of Egypt, the image of five open buds became a real symbol of the state.

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Thanks to the young god Nefertum, who woke up every day from open petals and wore them on his head, the lotus became a sign of fertility and vegetation. During the season, when the Nile overflowed, it carried lotus seeds throughout the surrounding area, and for people this meant that the year would be fruitful.

The flower was sacred not only for gods and kings, but also for ordinary people. Its scatterings could be found literally everywhere: in swamps, in houses, on tables, in clothes. So, the bride wove a wreath for herself, decorated the premises and even showered the bedroom with petals.

The heads of the guests were decorated with similar lotus wreaths, and the festive table was certainly decorated with fresh buds, which were changed very often. During the holidays, the whole country was drowned in the fragrance of these flowers - in the form of garlands and bouquets, they filled homes, churches, and streets. They have become a symbol of vitality and the triumph of youth.

Reproduction

Lotus can be propagated in several ways. Depending on the growing conditions, some gardeners use seed or vegetative propagation of plants. Each method is different from the other, so when cultivating, choose the most suitable method.

Seeds

Propagation by seeds is used in more severe climatic conditions. This is due to the fact that the seed method of plant propagation allows you to obtain a stronger and more resilient crop. In addition, this method is more suitable for domestic and hybrid varieties. Lotus grows easily from seeds, so it won't take much effort to get a new plant. The advantage of this method is the long-term shelf life of the seed - in some cases, the lotus can germinate even a century after the seed ripens.

In order to speed up the process of seed emergence, each nut is sawed off on one side, so that only the seed crust is damaged. The finished nuts are placed in warm water at room temperature to swell. During lotus germination, it is important to ensure that the air temperature in the room always remains at the same temperature. The seed is placed in a bright, sunny place until flattened roots appear. The container with seedlings is moved to a shaded place. As a rule, you can see the first shoots at the end of 3 weeks after planting. After the first foliage appears, the lotom quickly produces a developed rhizome.

After the roots quickly begin to increase in size, the lotus is planted into separate containers. The depth of the new container with water should be at least 10 cm. So, as the crop grows, the pots are constantly enlarged so that there is space for development. In the spring of next year, the sprouts can be planted in a permanent place of growth.

Vegetative methods

Among the vegetative methods of lotus development, division of an adult bush is distinguished. Since this method is used only in adult cultures, it is used quite rarely. The division of the maternal individual is carried out in mid-spring. To do this, the mother bush is taken out of water or soil, then divided into equal parts, keeping the rhizome and leaves with stems on each half.

You can also propagate lotus using ordinary root cuttings. In spring, the plant is removed from the ground. On the rhizome, mature lateral roots and basal buds are selected. The resulting material is separated from the mother material and placed in a new container, about 10 cm deep. As in the previous case, as the culture grows, the container with water is constantly increased.

Lotuses as a symbol of eternity

The cosmic lotus appears as an image of creation, the emergence of the world from the primordial waters or from the void; this is a special universal principle that governs the world and the life developing in it.

This symbol combines solar and lunar principles; he is equally close to water and fire, the chaos of darkness and divine light. The Lotus is the result of the interaction of the creative forces of the Sun and the lunar forces of water; it is the Cosmos, rising from the watery chaos, like the Sun that rose at the beginning of time, “the world of developing life in a whirlwind of rebirths” (J. Campbell). This time is past, present and future, since every plant has buds, flowers and seeds at the same time. “Time and eternity are two aspects of one and the same perception of the whole, two planes of a single, non-dualistic ineffability; thus the treasure of eternity rests on the lotus of birth and death” (J. Campbell).

Opening at dawn and closing at sunset, the lotus personifies the rebirth of the Sun, and therefore any other rebirth, renewal of vitality, return of youth, immortality.

According to H. P. Blavatsky, “the lotus symbolizes the life of man, as well as the Universe,” while its root, immersed in muddy soil, represents matter, the stem stretching through the water represents the soul, and the flower facing the Sun is a symbol spirit. The lotus flower is not wetted by water, just as the spirit is not stained by matter, therefore the lotus personifies eternal life, the immortal nature of man, spiritual revelation.

In Ancient Egypt, creation, birth and the Sun as the source of life were associated with the image of the lotus. This great flower blossomed, rising from the depths of the primordial waters, and carried on its petals the existence embodied in the image of the solar deity, the golden child: from the lotus the sun god Ra is born. The Rising Sun was also often represented as Horus, which rises from a lotus, representing the Universe. The lotus flower could serve as the throne of Osiris, Isis and Nephthys.

The lotus symbolized the renewal of vitality and the return of youth, for according to the views of the Egyptians, the old god dies in order to be reborn young. The image of the deceased holding a lotus flower speaks of resurrection from the dead, awakening on the spiritual plane.

As a symbol of prosperity and fertility, the lotus was an attribute of the Memphis god of vegetation Nefertum, who was depicted as a young man wearing a headdress in the form of a lotus flower. In the Pyramid Texts it is called "the lotus from the nose of Ra." Every morning the god Nefertum rises from the lotus and every evening descends into the water of the sacred lake. Since ancient times, the lotus has been associated with supreme power: the lotus was a symbol of Upper Egypt, and the scepter of the Egyptian pharaohs was made in the form of a lotus flower on a long stem.

In Ancient India, the lotus acts as a symbol of creative power, as an image of the creation of the world. The lotus was seen as a symbol of the Universe, a reflection of the earth that floats like a flower on the surface of the ocean. The open cup of the flower, located in the middle, is the mountain of the gods Meru.

In the Upanishads, Vishnu becomes the creator and preserver of the world. He is the beginning, middle and end of the whole world. When Vishnu wakes up, a lotus flower grows from his navel, and Brahma, the creator of the worlds, is born in it. In the center of Vishnu's heavenly paradise flows the heavenly Ganges, Vishnu's palace is surrounded by five lakes with blue, white and red lotuses that sparkle like emeralds and sapphires.

Vishnu’s wife, Lakshmi, the goddess of happiness, wealth and beauty, is associated with the lotus. According to one of the myths, when the gods and asuras were churning the ocean, Lakshmi emerged from it with a lotus in her hands. According to other ideas, Lakshmi arose at the very beginning of creation, emerging from the primordial waters on a lotus flower; hence her names Padma or Kamala (“lotus”). The lotus throne is an attribute of most Hindu and most revered Buddhist deities.

In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes the primordial waters, spiritual unfoldment, wisdom and nirvana. The Lotus is dedicated to Buddha, the “Pearl of the Lotus”, who emerged from the Lotus in the form of a flame. This is the image of purity and perfection: growing out of dirt, he remains pure - just like Buddha, born into the world. Buddha is considered the heart of the lotus, he sits on a throne in the form of a fully opened flower.

In addition, in Buddhism, the appearance of the lotus is associated with the beginning of a new cosmic era. The full bloom of the lotus represents the wheel of the continuous cycle of existence and is a symbol of Kuan Yin, Maitreya Buddha and Amitabha. In the Buddhist paradise, as in the paradise of Vishnu, in ponds made of jewelry, “amazing lotuses of different colors bloom.”

In China, the lotus was revered as a sacred plant even before the spread of Buddhism and personified purity and chastity, fertility and productive power.

According to the tradition of Chinese Buddhism, the “Lotus of the Heart” personifies the solar fire, as well as time, invisible and all-consuming, the revelation of all things, peace and harmony. In the western sky, in the lotus paradise, there is a lotus lake, where Amitofo (Amitabha), the Buddha of the West, sits among flowers, surrounded by bodhisattvas. Each lotus growing on this lake corresponds to the soul of a deceased person.

In the Taoist tradition, one of the eight immortals, the virtuous maiden He Xian-gu, was depicted holding in her hands a symbol of purity - a white lotus flower on a long stem, curved like a sacred wish-fulfilling rod.

From Egypt, India and China, lotus symbolism penetrated into other countries. In Greco-Roman culture, the lotus was considered a plant sacred to Hera and Aphrodite. The ancient Greek hero Hercules makes one of his journeys in a golden boat in the shape of a lotus. Herodotus called the pink lotus, which was considered the most sacred and miraculous, the “pink lily of the Nile.”

Diseases and pests

Lotus, despite its whimsical nature, easily tolerates various diseases and pests. However, if the rules of care and sanitary treatment of the crop are not followed, pathologies such as spotting may appear on it. The cause of this condition is bacteria or fungi that affect part of the leaf, it first becomes red, then brown. As the pathology increases, the plant quickly dies. Therefore, if pathology is detected, it is necessary to remove damaged leaves and treat the plant with a fungicidal agent.

If a plant is damaged by root rot, unfortunately, it will not be possible to save the individual. To prevent the spread of the disease among other plants, the lotus is taken out of its common growing area and burned. Fungicidal solutions are suitable for combating pathologies. However, many gardeners claim that they are of little use in the fight against root rot.

Frequent pests during the active growing season include caterpillars and aphids, which settle among the above-ground leaves and feed on parts of the plant and its sap. Insecticidal solutions, which are used to periodically spray the crop, help eliminate the problem. In addition, settled insects can be eliminated by washing them off the crop with high pressure of water.

Lotus meaning

Since the flower grows in many countries, it has found its way into different cultures and has become part of beliefs and traditions. The main people in promoting ideas about the lotus were Hindus and Buddhists who grew out of the ancient tradition.

People who hold similar beliefs often get a lotus tattoo, showing their desire to get rid of illusions - awakening. There is a legend that Buddha was born from a huge lotus flower. This meant Prince Gautama, or the entity that is forever reborn, history is silent.

In the photo on the right there is a lotus with the om symbol

As for symbolism, everything is clear with it. The lotus begins to grow at the bottom of the lake. There is no light or beauty there. There is silt, dirt and the remains of plants and animals. But he does not give up, continuing to move upward.

In addition to the Buddhists, there were other cultures and religions in which this flower was revered - Egypt, Phenicia, Assyria, and the Hittite culture. It was perceived simultaneously as a symbol of death and rebirth. In almost all traditions, he was perceived as a kind of embodiment of the idea of reincarnation. Among the Greeks it was one of the symbols of the goddess Aphrodite. The Romans adopted this tradition from them.

Tattoo of the goddess Aphrodite on a lotus, and Egyptian tattoos with a lotus and signs from Egyptian culture

China is one of the oldest civilizations, and it is not surprising that the symbolism of the flower has not been overlooked here either. The Chinese made it one of the signs of good luck in their culture, and considered it very auspicious. In neighboring Tibet it was a symbol of everything mysterious and incomprehensible. The Japanese also distinguished themselves by making the lotus a sign of female innocence and chastity.

On the left is a lotus tattoo in the Chinese style, on the right in the Japanese style

Each nation has its own elemental and planetary correspondence. For example, the inhabitants of Persia (now Iran) considered the lotus to be a solar symbol. At the same time, the Mayan civilization defined it as earthly. If we talk about correspondences in the real world, then these are simultaneously earth, water and sun/light/spirit.

Useful properties of lotus

Lotus has a truly healing chemical composition, which allows the plant to be used as a means to influence many pathologies. In our country, the use of the culture for medicinal purposes has not yet begun, however, in Asian countries, lotus is the most valuable component of many traditional medicines. All parts of the plant contain substances necessary for the body. So, lotus has the following chemical composition:

Starch;
Fiber;
B vitamins;
Ascorbic acid;
Minerals – the rhizome contains particles of almost all necessary minerals for the normal maintenance of the human body;
Fatty acids and resins;
alkaloids and flavonoids;
essential oils;
sugar and glucose.

This composition allows not only to use all parts of the plant for food, but also to produce various oils, extracts and other medicines based on it. The use of such substances helps strengthen the human immune system, as well as remove unnecessary toxins from the body. Using lotus helps restore liver cells and stimulate the respiratory system. The plant enhances the work of the heart and leads to an increase in heart rate. In addition, parts of the plant are widely used to restore heart function after arrhythmia.

The lotus is one of the most ancient flowers on earth - they existed already in the Cretaceous period, more than 100 million years ago. Their fossil remains are found in North America, the Far East, and even in the Arctic. Nowadays, strictly speaking, there are only two types of purebred lotuses.

Yellow lotus (Nelumbo lute a) lives on the Atlantic coast of North and Central America, on the Hawaiian Islands. The Indians of local tribes call it "chinkepin", or small water chestnut, because of its fruits, which taste like chestnuts.

Indian lotus, or nut-bearing lotus (N. nucifera), is an inhabitant of the eastern hemisphere; it lives in warm and hot regions of South and East Asia, southern Japan, India and China, the Philippines and northeastern Australia. This lotus also grows in our country - in the Far East, Transcaucasia and the Volga delta. True, if we are to be scrupulously precise, it should be noted that some botanists assign the status of an independent species to the Caspian lotus (N. caspicum).

The Volga Delta is the northernmost point of distribution of the lotus and the only place in Europe where you can still see the legendary flower growing in freedom. The total area it occupies here is about 60 hectares. The fact that you can still admire the lotus on the Volga owes much to the creation of the Astrakhan Nature Reserve - the first Soviet nature reserve, established in 1919, when the lotus here was in danger of complete extinction.

Interestingly, at the end of the 60s, the thickets of lotus flowers suddenly began to increase rapidly. At first this caused surprise, but then everything became clearer. Due to the drop in the level of the Caspian Sea, many estuaries, creeks, and shallow lakes were formed, where the water warmed up very well, creating conditions for the lotus that were close to their native and familiar ones: it loves shallow water.

And yet the lotus has a hard time; it still requires care and protection. Its flowers often perish in bouquets of exotic lovers. Lotus fields thin out even when moisture leaves when the land is drained. The nutritious rhizomes of the plant are happily eaten by various local animals, especially wild pigs (“even the dung beetle has a desire to eat honey from the lotus,” says a Bengali proverb). And livestock does not pass by the appetizing stems and rhizomes of the lotus.

So that a beautiful flower does not disappear on our land

We have to protect it by all means. And the lotus is very beautiful, especially during the flowering period, which occurs on the Volga in August. Its buds open with the first rays of the sun. At first the petals are bright pink, but gradually turn pale, and the flowering thickets turn red with the whole gamut of shades of pink. The flower heads, lush and large, about 30 cm in size, sit on long curved legs that stretch to a height of almost two meters. And under them, on long petioles, are leaves, thyroid-shaped, more than half a meter in diameter, covered with a gray-green waxy coating, with a deep depression in the middle.

Some leaves are floating, some are underwater. Lotus flowers always face the sun: they, as botanists say, have positive heliotropism. Just below the place where the flower is attached to the peduncle, there is a kind of sensitive receiver of light radiation. It is in this place that the flower changes its position, following the luminary floating across the sky.

When the lotus petals fall, the receptacle grows and becomes like the funnel of a home shower, only with holes facing upward, and in each hole there is a fruit. The ripe fruit breaks off, falls into the water and floats until it rots. Then the nuts fall out, sinking to the bottom. Here they can lie for a very long time - it is not for nothing that the lotus is called the record holder for seed survival.

Once in Japan, in a peat bog, three lotus seeds were found, the age of which, as shown by radiocarbon dating, was about 2 thousand years! They were surrounded by careful care, and two fruits sprouted, bloomed and grew into healthy plants...

And the lotus flower and the Buddha...

Indian legends say that immediately after birth, Buddha took seven steps on his own - and where the baby’s foot stepped, a lotus blossomed. Indian lotus flowers

They are revered as a symbol of eternal youth, they decorate the most magnificent temples, and the creator god Brahma is always depicted against the background of a sacred flower.

The lotus flower is central to the popular Buddhist magic spell: "om mani padme hum." It is inscribed on every object of worship, it fills prayer mills, and every devout Buddhist repeats it constantly. The original meaning of the spell is not even known to many believers, but “padme” means not only “lotus”, it also means the feminine principle. And the theme of the unity of the male (“mani”) and female (“padme”) principles, giving birth to new life, is clearly visible in the spell. The legendary property of the lotus is also connected with this - it supposedly helps a person, having consigned his former sorrows to oblivion, to be reborn in a new quality.

Even in their cosmological ideas, the ancient Indians could not do without the lotus. In the form of its seven-petalled flower, they depicted the inhabited world: its center was located somewhere in the Himalayas supporting the sky and in the mountains of Tibet, there, in the upper reaches of the Ganges, rose the sacred Mount Meru - the capital of the gods, and from there, like lotus petals from the center of the flower, Continents stretched in different directions.

The lotus was not only worshiped - it was fed on

Man paid attention to the lotus at the very dawn of its history. During excavations, archaeologists encounter lotus seeds in the sites of people who lived 50-70 thousand years ago. It has always been a reliable help in feeding the poor people of the Eastern countries. The Bengalis still have a saying: “They say they live well, but the lotus roots have even turned their teeth black.” The centuries-old worship of the lotus is largely explained by the fact that in difficult years it saved the population from hunger. Lotus rhizomes, rich in starch, were widely consumed. They were boiled and fried, dried and ground into flour, from which flat cakes were made. To this day, peasants in China, Japan and India make flour from lotus seeds and rhizomes, prepare starch, boil sugar, and squeeze out oil.

Residents of these countries can treat themselves to a full lotus meal: the first course is soup made from rhizomes, the second is boiled with it as a side dish, an excellent substitute for potatoes, and the third is an exotic delicacy: candied slices of the same rhizomes, which taste very similar to marmalade A delicious coffee substitute was and is made from dried lotus seeds, and in Vietnam they like to drink tea with lotus seeds - they give the drink a special aroma. In China and Japan, lotus is even grown on special plantations. It is no coincidence that there are now many cultural forms of lotus.

But the peoples of the East did not only use lotus for food. In Chinese medicine, all parts of the plant are considered medicinal and are used against fever, skin ulcers, and burns. Tibetan medicine also pays considerable attention to lotus. One of the fundamental medicinal treatises says that lotus should be included in the group of medicines that cure “badkan” diseases with fever. When deciphering this treatise, carried out by scientists from Buryatia, it turned out that this group of drugs includes those that help with metabolic disorders and various inflammatory phenomena.

And in the history of the lotus...

The word “lotus” has its roots in the ancient Greek language, where it came from Hebrew. Having migrated to Latin, it spread to many countries and even in languages very distant from each other - Slavic, Romance, Germanic - it retained its original appearance.

However, both the Greeks and the Romans called “lotus” a completely different (or not only that) flower in question. Here are “lotuses” from the ancient Greek-Russian dictionary: “Greek lotus” is a type of clover; “Lotus of Cyrene” is a tree with sweet fruits, identified with one of the representatives of the buckthorn family (it is mentioned by Homer, Herodotus, and Strabo, they also talk about a tribe of lotophages who ate the fruits of this tree); “Egyptian or Nile lotus” is a type of water lily; "African lotus" is a tree with black wood.

So historically, “lotuses” are not at all what we mean now. Apparently, such a confusion of concepts occurred due to the fact that these plants live in similar conditions, most often in water (by the way, in Latin lofio means “bathing”, “washing”). As for the real lotus, it is not a “lotus” at all. Its generic and specific name - Nelumbo - is taken from the language of the Sinhalese, the indigenous population of the island of Sri Lanka. Under this name this plant entered science. It is interesting that even in the “Dictionary of Foreign Words Included in the Russian Language”, published in 1894, there are the following explanations: “Nelumbium is a plant from the family of the same name, Indian water lily... Lotus is a plant from the water lily family...” Other plants that are called lotuses, have a very distant relation to them.

The most famous namesake of lotuses is the white Nile lotus (Nimphaea lotus) from a completely different family - the Nymphaeaceae. It also looks very similar to the Indian lotus. Thousands and four years ago, his Indian namesake appeared next to him on the Nile. It is unknown who brought it to these parts and how. But he also liked the new places, and the Egyptian fellahs liked him. And he, together with the long-familiar local lotus, began to diversify the poor man's table. Most likely, this is why he did not live to see our times on the Nile. And the native lotus is also found there less and less now.

But it, like the Indian lotus in India, has always been a sacred flower for the Egyptians: according to ancient beliefs, the main Egyptian sun god was born from a lotus flower in the thickets of the Great Nile. The cult of the lotus penetrated deeply into Egyptian life. Its flower symbolized Lower Egypt, adorned the country's coat of arms, and was minted on coins. Both the highest attribute of power - the rod of the pharaoh, and the columns of Djoser's pyramid were copied from the stems of the sacred flower. The interweaving of its stems varied endlessly on furniture, on the handles of fans and staves, on vases and jugs made of faience, stone and gold.

The halls where the Egyptian nobility feasted were decorated with garlands of their favorite flower, and participants in the ceremonies were presented with wreaths of white lotus. The hieroglyph depicting a lotus flower was read as “joy” and “happiness.”

The Egyptians prepared flour from lotus seeds, and it often saved the poor from hunger. Fabrics were woven from lotus fibers. The life of a lotus flower is short, and if the lotuses bloomed at the same time, the Egyptians considered this a happy omen: it means that a fertile year is coming.

Lotus - a symbol of purity and love

Another species of the same family, the blue or Egyptian lotus, was also deeply revered. Its sky-blue flowers bloom during the day, as if replacing the night-blooming white Nile lotus. And its flowers were a frequent motif in painting and carving. When scientists opened the tomb of Ramses II and Princess Nsi-Khonsu, they saw several dried buds and blue lotus flowers on the half-decayed fabric of the bedspread. These three-thousand-year-old flowers have retained their almost pristine blue...

The lotus is so beautiful that when talking about it, you involuntarily fall into some sentimentality. What can you do - at all times, among all the peoples who knew it, the lotus was a symbol of purity and love; Is it possible to speak about him in cold, indifferent words?

In memory of his untimely death, the mighty Shah Jahan erected the Taj Mahal mausoleum three and a half centuries ago near Agra, along the banks of the Jamna River. Now all over the world it is called the legend of love and the swan song in marble. In the very center of the mausoleum is a tomb decorated with lotus flowers, each of 64 precious stones. In front of the mausoleum, complementing the white marble ensemble, there is a huge pond - and it is dotted with lotus flowers, only live ones.

In Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Gifts of the Beloved” it is said about the Taj Mahal: “...You crowned formless death with immortal form.” And the dome of the marble pearl of India is crowned with an inverted bowl of an Indian lotus flower facing the stars.

On the lake of lotuses near Khabarovsk

Application of lotus

To prepare medicinal raw materials, all parts of the plant are used. Depending on the symptoms and the required action, a certain part is used - roots, leaves or flowers. Various medicines are obtained based on the culture.

Lotus oil

Raw materials are obtained by processing several types of plants. At the same time, depending on the type used, it takes on little of a certain shade and smell. Lotus oil has many medicinal properties. Thus, most often the raw materials are used to treat respiratory tract pathologies - asthma, bronchitis. In addition, in folk medicine the positive use of oil is known as a remedy against convulsive seizures, spasms of smooth muscles, as well as in the fight against inflammatory pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Oil massage has a calming effect, helps to relax and relieve stress. The aroma of the oil tones and gives mood. In addition, healing raw materials help rejuvenate and care for any skin type.

Lotus extract

Lotus extract is used as a means to tone muscles and improve tone and mood. The extract has the ability to rejuvenate the skin and eliminate signs of aging. In traditional medicine in Asian countries, the extract is used to eliminate arrhythmia and normalize heart function. In addition to the above, the extract normalizes a person’s blood pressure and sleep. Lotus extract is used for industrial purposes, at home, and also as an aromatic agent.

Lotus seeds

Lotus seeds are used in folk medicine to prepare various medicinal products used in traditional Chinese medicine. The use of seeds allows you to strengthen the immune properties of the body, as well as calm the heart rate and tone the body. Raw materials are actively used to treat pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, and to restore the nervous system. In addition, the seeds are included in remedies for diarrhea and hemorrhoids.

Lotus root

Lotus root is a truly healing part of the plant, which contains the maximum amount of useful substances. The roots are suitable for human consumption; the raw material has a calming and tonic effect. The root is used to increase the body's strength and eliminate signs of exhaustion.

Lotus roots are used to relieve fever. The roots help kill bacteria in wound surfaces, which is why they are contained in healing ointments and creams. This part of the plant was actively used to combat snakebites and bites of other poisonous reptiles. The root is used to treat pathologies of the kidneys and urinary system. It helps restore overall health and stop bleeding.

Lotus tea

For a long time, only noble people could drink lotus tea. Today, tea is available to everyone and is freely sold in pharmacies and stores. Drinking lotus tea has been proven to effectively combat depression and improve overall health. Lotus tea helps normalize metabolism and also helps reduce body temperature. Making tea is quite easy - you need to pour a teaspoon of the dry mixture of plant parts with a glass of boiling water, wait half an hour for the mixture to infuse. The finished mixture is filtered and drunk.

Medicinal plant

The flower, listed in the Red Book, contains not only narcotic, but also biologically active substances, protein, manganese, copper, oils, vitamin C. Therefore, doctors recommend using its tinctures as a tonic, cardiotonic, and restorative.

It is known that ancient healers even used this plant as a diuretic and hemostatic agent, and prescribed it for severe exhaustion or malaise to stimulate the human immune system - in short, in the treatment of diseases, the blue lotus (as, indeed, other types of plants) was of no small importance.

Residents of Asian countries grow and use it as a vegetable: the roots are boiled, fried, pickled, eaten raw, starch, flour and oil are extracted. The leaves are used instead of asparagus, delicacies are prepared from the seeds, and even marmalade is made.

The use of lotus in cosmetology

Oil and fatty acids obtained from the plant are used for cosmetic purposes. It has been proven that lotus oil has a pronounced rejuvenating and healing effect. In addition, masks are made from the oil that help fight problematic skin rashes. Lotus is used to moisturize hair and strengthen the hair follicle.

Since lotus has a pleasant and delicate aroma, aromatic additives are made from its oil into various cosmetic and skin care products. The plant tightens pores and cleanses them, reduces inflammatory processes in cells, and helps fight rashes. Thanks to a massage with lotus oil, blood flow to the skin is restored, which makes it firm and elastic, with a more natural shade.

Weightloss remedy

The plant is actively used as an additional means for weight loss. Since the calorie content of lotus is practically zero, and it contains essential minerals, the roots and leaves are used during weight loss. Decoctions and infusions of lotus have a diuretic effect, which also affects weight. In addition, lotus root helps eliminate sagging skin that occurs due to weight loss.

Flowers help speed up metabolism, which leads to rapid breakdown and removal of food debris from the body. The flowers contain carotene, which slows down the attachment of fat to the walls of blood vessels. The flowers and roots of the plant are often added to weight loss products.

Lotus tea

In different countries, delicious and healthy dishes are prepared from lotus, among which tea is especially popular. The petals and stamens of the flower are used for tea.

In ancient times, people of royal descent drank it because it:

has miraculous powers and exquisite taste;
perfectly tones and strengthens the body's immune system;
thanks to the vitamins and microelements it contains, it has a beneficial effect on the general condition;
Cools perfectly in hot weather.

Tea recipe

Ingredients

The most delicious tea is obtained from the petals, but it is also impossible without leaves; everyone decides the proportions according to their own taste.

dried lotus flowers and leaves – 2 grams;
boiling water – 500 ml.

Contraindications

Not everyone can use the plant for culinary and medicinal purposes. First of all, people who have an allergic reaction to this plant are prohibited from taking medicinal procedures with lotus. Lotus is also prohibited for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under 6 years of age. Active treatment with lotus-based products can cause blood flow problems due to an overdose of the drug. In addition, a large volume of the substance taken leads to disruption of the release of bile.

Lotus in culture and religion

In many religious scriptures, the lotus is considered a plant with sacred properties. In the religious world, the plant is a symbol of prosperity, purity and sinlessness. The ability of a culture to grow out of mud has become a symbol of the fact that a person can break out of the mud, break out into people.

In some countries, the flower was used in funeral rites. He was depicted on coffins as a symbol of the spirit and nobility of noble people. In religion, the plant is considered a symbol of love and tranquility of the family hearth. The plant was described in many tales and myths, mentioned in many legends, as a revitalizing, medicinal, divine gift.

Interest in the plant continues to wane among botanist scientists who are still solving the mysteries of this flower. More recently, it was possible to prove a feature of the lotus that is different from all plants. It turns out that the lotus can independently adjust the temperature of its flower and leaves. It independently raises and lowers the temperature, depending on growing conditions, and maintains it for a certain time. In addition, it has been proven that the lotus can generate electric current. In order to illuminate a room at night, only 20 blossoming buds are needed. Therefore, cultural research is carried out even today.

Symbol of blooming lotus in India

In India, a blooming lotus even “climbs” a mountain, one and a half kilometers high. The symbol of India is a red flower. It is associated with the heart, love experiences, passion and compassion, purity of thoughts and life. According to Indian mythology, everything present lives in the rays of the “Fiery Sun”, and it is the blooming lotus that acts as the throne for Buddha Shakmuni.

The image of a blooming lotus can be placed on any part of the body

The symbolism of the flower in Indian mythology varies:

5 petals - a symbol of the five stages of life - birth, learning, marriage, rest, death
7 lotus petals symbolize the seven planets
8 petals - this is the Heart of Existence, eternal oblivion
9 petals - a symbol of a person
10 petals of a flower - identified with God and the Absolute

The lotus helps the human soul to get out of the darkness of ignorance.