9X Mom’s 1001 Lotus Flower Arrangement

Cao Thanh Thuy, 32, from Ha Dong, Hanoi, is a flower lover who likes to try many different lotus flower arrangements. She said: “I don’t have a fixed pattern for the lotus flowers I grow, but I choose the right arrangement based on the available shapes of each flower to show the beauty of the lotus.”

9X’s mother’s experience in displaying lotus flowers is to choose a wide vase that can hold a lot of water, because lotus flowers absorb water quickly. She avoids using vases with mouths that are too small because they can easily break the petals.

Since lotus flowers need to absorb a lot of water, Thuy places them in a bucket filled with water for a few hours before placing them in the vase.

“If you want to keep the lotus leaves fresh, you can soak them in water or seal them in a plastic bag and put them in a bucket,” she said. When arranging flowers, Thuy uses a knife rather than scissors to cut the stems, as this can easily bruise the stems.

To make the flowers fit the vase shape, Thuy sometimes uses foam.

This year, Thuy tried to plant lotus types that are conducive to flowering, that is, lotus that cannot bloom on its own but requires human intervention, such as super lotus, apple lotus… Super lotus is popular among flower growers because of its durability and longevity. It can be played with for a week without losing its wings. Super lotus petals are thick and tough, arranged in multiple layers, and the fragrance is very pleasant.

Thuy believes that the blood-red lotus is the most difficult to arrange flowers because the branches are small, the flowers are large, and the flower heads often fall off when they bloom. Therefore, she recommends placing the lotus in a bucket of water overnight and waiting for it to bloom before placing it in a vase.

Many people praised her beautiful flower arrangements, and Thuy revealed that she did not go to flower arrangement school, but taught herself for about 4 years. “I drew on my own experience and learned more from the women in the Flower Lovers Association,” Thuy said.

A Hanoi mom recreated a mini lotus pond at home.

Thuy said that lotus flowers do not live long, so there is no need to change the water. She usually refills the vase with water once a day until the flowers wilt, and does not use flower care packages.

Thuy bought lotus this year at a price of about VND50,000 – 60,000/10 flowers.

Thuy’s lotus vase is combined with hyacinths and asters, combining cool and warm tones to create a cheerful and harmonious look.

When placing the round vase, Thuy’s secret is to fold a leaf deep into the vase, which helps stabilize the lotus branch when placed, making it easier to shape. She also avoids wind, fans and air conditioning to keep the lotus fresher longer.