This column by former Miami Herald writer Georgia Tasker has run in earlier editions.

Name: Lotus.

Botanical name:Nelumbo nucifera `Green Maiden.'

Description: Sacred to the Egyptians, the gorgeous lotus is the national flower of India and believed by Buddhists to have sprung from the earth to proclaim the birth of Buddha. It is also the symbol of purity. They range in color from the most delicate pink to white, yellow and bicolor. There are both temperate and tropical lotus, so look for the tropicals. It is common wisdom that lotus will not grow here, by the way, but travel to the Fruit and Spice Park in the Redland, and you'll see them.

Height: Three to six feet.

Light: Full sun.

Culture: Take a ceramic pot that's at least two feet deep and cover the bottom with humus soil or clay and sand. Use garden soil instead of potting soil. Then, put two handfuls of Dynamite 13-13-13 in the pot and place the tuber on top of that with the delicate growing tips pointed up. (Try not to break off these tips, or you will set back the growth.) Carefully top this with egg rocks to hold down the tuber and add sand to give the pot a clean look. Then fill the pot to the top with water.

They do not like dry windy weather, so put them in a shade house or protected area come December. Divide them in the spring. Clean off the roots (which will seem like anacondas by that time) and put in new soil, repeating the above directions.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@