PlantFiles: Parrot's Beak, Coral Gem, Pelican's Beak
Lotus berthelotii

Love the plant but sad - I lost it to mealy bugs!!!!

I discovered this plant last fall; perfect for coastal CA in a brick flowerbed. It spilled over a 12" brick wall - bloomed non-stop and grew thick and quickly.

A week ago I noticed browning, 2 days later most of the plant was brown; i lifted it up and found that the underside covered with mealy bugs... not just a few...literally covered. Within 24 hours, the entire 5x5 space of plant was almost gone. I applied a soapy spray by Bayer and not only did it kill the mealy bugs, but also killed was left of the plant.

SO, disappointed. I can only guess that it was so thick and heavy it didn't 'breath' underneath and one bug turned into a thriving colony in the dampness.

:( I have cleared out all the infected plant, sprayed again for the mealy bugs and want to find another plant and restart.

If anyone has info or suggestions for avoiding this again, PLEASE let me know!

I recently bought this plant in a 10" pot in full bloom. I've placed it in full sun on my patio and it's doing very well.

I water it approximately every other day in this warming early summer weather. In the short time I've had this plant, it has shown good growth. I placed several fertilizer spikes in the pot - not sure if this will suffice.

Its flowers are the local hummingbirds' favorite - preferred, thus far, over all the other types of flowers I have that are supposed to attract hummers.

I agree with the intense need for water... planted in well draining soil which was probably a mistake and have to water them more than any other plant in the yard just to keep them alive... they suck up water! But if you do water them daily, they look great, grow really fast, and before you know it, they are covering everything! Unfortunately took a short trip and person watering skipped 3 hot days and now plants are gone. Nothing else is that much the worse for wear... amazing! Probably better as a potted plant.

I have not found the lotus species to be drought tolerant though quite worth growing. I moved both of mine from hanging (moss) baskets to large clay containers this year and they are both much happier. They were drying out faster than I could keep up with. They are also now in partial shade as well. Thanks for the insight into their need for fertilizer. I use only organics, but did notice a flush of bloom after a spring dose!

Although very tender, this plant has such unusual flowers it is really worth giving a try. Mine are still tiny (1 qt size) but we saw one at a nursery display that was at least 3' long and covered with blooms. My non-gardening husband doesn't pay much attention to individual plants, but he stopped and stared at that display! Even when small, they will bloom.

I have two, one in a pot and one in the garden. Interestingly enough, the one in the pot is doing better and has bloomed first. The blooms last a very long time, over a month if you leave them on the plant. Don't know if they make good cut flowers or not.

June 2003: the potted LB is still doing better than the in-ground sibling! Interesting. Blooms almost continually. VERY heavy feeder. Every time I fertilize it, plant seems to put forth a new, heavier flush of flowers two weeks later. Definitely a specimen worth the care.

August 2003: the in-ground lotus STILL has not bloomed, whereas I have lost count of how many times its potted sibling has rebloomed! A heavy feeder and very thirsty in a pot (some water-holding crystals are called for at its next repotting, I think), also appreciates a shot of humic acid every once in a while. Occasionally gets a bit chlorotic in the pot.

This plant makes a great ground cover and is actually a pretty drought tolerant plant in Southern California. Blooms much better in full sun than shade.