Response of Lotus (Nelumbo sp.) to Container Soil Volume

The effect of soil volume on containerized lotus (Nelumbo) production has been underreported. American lotus (Nelumbo lutea Willd.) and three cultivars (‘Embolene’, ‘98 Seed’ and ‘Karizma’) of Asian lotus (N. nucifera Gaertn.) were investigated for growth response to container soil volume in this study. Electrical conductivity, pH, plant growth indices, and plant nutritional content were influenced by container soil volume. Differences in some plant growth indices were significant between treatments with ½ and higher (½ and ¾) container height soil (CHS) in 21 or 29 liter (#5 or #7) containers. However, plant growth indices were generally not different between treatments with ½ and ¾ CHS. Lotus planted in containers with ¼ CHS usually produced the greatest plant height and underground fresh weight, while the largest number of propagules often occurred in containers with ½ or ¾ CHS. The highest number of emerging leaves was observed in plants with ¼ or ½ CHS treatments, with no significant difference in emerging leaf number between lotus grown in containers with ½ and ¾ CHS. Flower number generally decreased as soil level increased. The ¼ and ½ CHS were more efficient than ¾ CHS for lotus production in containers.