The tiger lotus, which comes from Africa, can also bloom in this country, although it is usually cultivated in aquariums. But its blossoming is only possible under certain conditions. Anyone who knows them will soon be able to admire one or more flowers. Or do without it in favor of the leaves.
How to make a tiger lotus bloom?
The tiger lotus can also bloom under certain conditions - such as water temperature of 23 ° C, soft, CO2-rich water and permanent current - when it develops thin floating leaves on the water surface to allow flowers to sprout above the water.
Blooming only possible on the surface of the water
Both the green and red tiger lotus are heat-loving. That's why we almost only cultivate them in the aquarium, where they find consistent temperature values throughout. However, tiger lotus does not produce flowers under water. Only if it is allowed to go to the surface of the water in an open aquarium will it sprout flowers above the water.
Grow floating leaves
In order for the tiger lotus to reach the surface of the water, it needs its floating leaves. Their development can also start underwater. But then the formation of the underwater leaves stops.
Tip
If you don't care about the flowers but rather the beautiful underwater leaves when keeping tiger lotus plants, you should cut off the newly developing floating leaves as quickly as possible. They can be clearly distinguished from the underwater leaves.
Offer ideal living conditions
Only a tiger lotus that receives ideal living conditions and tailored care will bloom. The important thing is:
- a water temperature around 23 °C
- soft, Co2-rich, slightly acidic water
- permanent water flow
The green tiger lotus prefers a nutrient-poor substrate and also gets along with moderate light. The red tiger lotus, on the other hand, needs a humus-rich, nutrient-rich soil and a lot more light.
This is what the flower looks like
Tiger lotus produces individual white flowers. These are the features:
- Flower is 12 to 15 cm tall
- has four green sepals
- about 60 white petals (in several rows)
- about 75 yellow stamens
- it only opens at night
- usually several nights in a row
- exudes an intense scent
Obtaining germinable seeds
Tiger lotus can be easily propagated from daughter tubers and runners. But you can also get germinable seeds from the flowers. Young plants of the red tiger lotus are particularly in demand because their underwater leaves are the brightest red.
