Description
Alcea rosea variety double chaters have been grown in gardens for centuries, their high spikes of silk-textured satin flowers promote a beautiful display and a unique spectacle.
Several variety in mauve were planted in the gardens at Monticello by Thomas Jefferson in 1629; traditional and outrageously beautiful. A must for historic gardens,
Edible flowers are used in the preparation of salads and ornamentation of various dishes, as well as in the preparation of tea or as a coloring agent for other foods.
It prefers its planting in a place that receives direct solar illumination, however, in the hottest regions should be planted in a place that receives solar protection in the hottest hours of the day.
The species is biennial, but usually treated as perennial because once established form colonies by self seeding.
Very fast growth and possibly flourishes in its first year in cultivation.
Huge, velvety flowers present us with simply fantastic scenery and bring close to the constant visit of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Very much traveled by landscapers the world outside in massive and as surround high walls and walls.
In the culinary the flowers of this cultivar are very appreciated when crystallized for decoration of cakes or in the preparation of delicately flavored syrups for puddings.
Seeds very fresh, in appropriate conditions, germinating between 20 to 40 days.
Germination Guide
🌍 Central and northern India, northern Indochina, East Asia (north to Amur region in Russia), and tropical Asia
Moderate
Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus) is a revered aquatic perennial native to Asia with ancient spiritual and cultural significance in Buddhism and Hinduism. Its seeds possess remarkable viability—some documented specimens remained viable for over 1,300 years—but have an extremely hard, waxy seed coat that requires mechanical scarification to permit water uptake and germination. Once the physical dormancy is breached, seeds germinate rapidly in warm water (25-30°C) within 3-7 days, with shoots emerging before roots.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
3 – 14 days
Temperature
Min 13°C
Ideal 25°C
Max 30°C
Substrate moisture
💧💧 High
Sowing depth
Lightly covered
Seed Pre-treatment
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Soaking — 6 hours
Soak scarified seeds in warm water (25-30°C / 77-86°F) and change water daily or every 12 hours. Seeds swell noticeably within 24 hours and germinate within 3-7 days (occasionally up to 14 days for older seeds). Cloudy water is normal from seed exudation; frequent water changes prevent fungal rot.
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🔨
Mechanical scarification
File or sand the seed coat on the blunt end (opposite the pointed tip) for 8-30 seconds until a pale yellow or cream-colored spot appears. Use gentle, controlled abrasion—do not cut deeply to avoid embryo damage. Mechanical scarification at 20-30 seconds yields >92% germination versus <15% with unscaRified seeds.
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📋
Additional notes
Scarification is absolutely essential; untreated seeds rarely germinate. Do not boil (kills embryo). Avoid acid scarification indoors unless trained. Mechanical scarification with sandpaper/file is safest and most effective.
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
Rich loam or clay-loam soil with organic matter; avoid sandy soils as they wash away easily
Recommended container
Warm water containers for initial soaking (20-25°C); then transfer sprouted seeds to pots with heavy loam or clay soil submerged in water (30-60 cm depth for mature plants)
Growing Tips
Scarify gently with fine sandpaper or a metal file for 8-30 seconds on the blunt (pale) end—avoid the pointed tip and do not cut too deeply. Soak scarified seeds in warm (25-30°C), non-chlorinated water, changing daily. Floating seeds germinate as readily as submerged ones. After 3-7 days, transfer sprouted seedlings (shoot-first germination is normal) to pots containing heavy clay-loam soil enriched with compost, keeping pots in warm standing water. Young seedlings prefer partial shade in very hot periods. Best germination occurs in summer; winter attempts often fail. Keep substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged.
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