Lotus Pod
Common Names: Lotus Pod,
Botanical names: Nelumbo spp.
Availability: Available year round as a dried pod. Fresh pods are available in late summer and fall.
Vase life: 10 to 14 days
Storage temperatures: 36 - 38 degrees Fahrenheit
Ethylene Sensitive: No
Description: Lotus pods have a distinctive appearance, characterized by a cluster of small holes or chambers arranged in a circular or oval pattern. Lotus pods are the seed heads of the lotus flower. These pods develop after the lotus flower has bloomed and shed its petals.
Color: Shades of Green, gradually transitioning to a brownish color as it matures and dries out.
Botanical facts: Lotus plants belong to the Nelumbonaceae family, which also includes water lilies. They are aquatic plants and are often found in shallow waters of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams.
Design notes: Lotus Pods are generally used as a dried material. Dried or fresh, they add dramatic impact and lovely texture to a floral design. They make an excellent basing material in contemporary designs.
Purchasing hints: Fresh, select unblemished pods. Dried, select sturdy, undamaged pods.
Conditioning: Cut stem ends with as sharp knife. Hydrate in water mixed with a commercial floral food for two hours before storage or usage.
Additional notes: Lotus Potus have cultural and symbolic significance in many societies. They are often associated with purity, enlightenment, and rebirth in various Eastern philosophies and religions, particularly in Buddhism and Hinduism.