George Haas Jr., age 13, of Gadsden, Ala., for his question:
DOES THE LOTUS GROW ONLY UNDER WATER?
Lotus is the name given to several different plants. Many types can grow without being under water. A common type is a shrub also called the parrot's beak that has trailing stems. With flowers that look like sweet peas, this lotus grows in soil and only needs a little bit of summer watering.
A lotus with the scientific name of Nelumbo is a water plant, and it is the lotus most people think of when they hear the common name of the Egyptian water lily.
The Egyptian water lily is a familiar sight along the Nile River and neighboring streams. This plant has white or rose purple flowers that may be a foot across.
Egyptian lotus flowers grow on a weak stalk that may be four to eight feet long and rise only a little above the water. The leaves of the lotus plant spread out on the surface.
The lotus was sacred to the ancient people of Egypt, India and China, and one sub species is common in ancient Egyptian art. The lotus is today the national flower of India.
The American lotus is also a water plant. It is a close relative of the East Indian lotus and is also known as the water chinquapin and yellow water lily. The American lotus has yellow flowers and large leaves that grow on stout stalks that stand 2 to 3 feet above the water.
There are large beds of lotus plants in Grass Lake, about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. These plants cover about 600 acres and make a wonderful sight in August.
Other famous lotus beds are found near New York City, in Monroe, Michigan, in Southern California and in the valleys of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
The botanical name Lotus belongs to a genus of the pea family. There are more than 80 species of plants in the family.
Water lotuses can be grown in a home pond without too many problems. If you buy sprouted plants in containers, put them directly into the pond with 8 to 12 inches of water over the soil surface. If you buy only roots, plant them horizontally in the spring, 4 inches deep in containers of fairly rich soil. Place the soil under water after the roots have been planted.
It won't be long until huge, round leaves attached to the center of the leaf stalks grow above the water level. Large fragrant flowers will form in the summer and many will grow above the leaves.
Ornamental woody fruit forms during the summer. The fruit will look like perforated salt shakers and is excellent for dried arrangements.
Roots should not be allowed to freeze. If freezing is a possibility, cover the water during chilly weather.