Dongping Lake Lotus Seeds

Dongping Lake Lotus Seeds

　　Dongping Lake Lotus Seeds

　　Lotus seeds are one of the special products of Dongping Lake and have long been famous in domestic and international markets. In the northern part of the old lake area, there used to be vast expanses of lotus fields. The famous classical novel *Water Margin* contains the description “Ambush troops among the reeds, warships hidden in the shade of lotus blossoms,” which gives an idea of how abundant the lotuses were in Dongping Lake historically.

　　Lotus seeds are a highly nutritious tonic food. According to analysis, every

　　100 grams of lotus seeds contains 9.36 grams of water, 12.19 grams of crude fiber, 49.18 grams of starch, 21.42 grams of protein, 2.58 grams of fat, 2.

　　54 grams of crude fiber, as well as iron, phosphorus, calcium, and a certain amount of raffinose, among other components. Lotus seeds hold high medicinal value, as nearly all parts of the plant can be used in medicine. They help nourish the heart and kidneys, regulate the stomach and intestines, consolidate vital energy, strengthen muscles and bones, tonify deficiencies, benefit ears and eyesight, dispel cold and dampness, stop chronic diarrhea, and treat red and white discharge.

　　In addition to being boiled and eaten, lotus seeds can also be made into canned goods, desserts, refreshing beverages, and are an indispensable ingredient in making glucose.

　　The lotus is a perennial herbaceous aquatic vascular plant with rhizomes, belonging to the class Dicotyledoneae and the family Nymphaeaceae. Its roots form an extensive system of adventitious roots. The underground rhizome grows horizontally and consists of lotus roots and lotus runners. The lotus leaf has a fully green margin. The lotus flower is an entomophilous flower, primarily cross-pollinated with some self-pollination. The flowering period generally lasts from June to September, spanning 3 to 4 months. Bud formation and blooming take about 10 days. It takes approximately 30 days from flowering to the maturation of the lotus seeds.

　　Lotus seeds prefer warm and humid conditions but are not frost-resistant, with a growth cycle of

　　around 200 days. Their annual growth process can be divided into: sprouting stage, vegetative growth stage, flowering and fruiting stage, and rhizome formation stage.

　　The time around the Qingming Festival is ideal for the asexual reproduction of lotus plants, with the period from the Spring Equinox to Qingming being the best. Choose plump, intact, undamaged lotus rhizomes with continuous rhizome heads and closed nodes at the tail to prevent rotting due to waterlogging. The parent rhizome is best planted with its protective mud and should be transplanted immediately after digging. When planting, the rhizome should be buried 4–6 inches deep in trenches, covered with soil, and watered appropriately. Lotus ponds and fields can be planted at a moderate density. Management should focus on irrigation, weeding, fertilization, and pest control.

　　Lotus seeds enjoy a high reputation in both domestic and international markets. Thanks to the excellent water quality and fertile lakebed soil of Dongping Lake, the lotus seeds produced here are large as pearls, bright in color, delicious in taste, and have been popular in the international market for many years, winning wide acclaim from consumers.