As the Spring Festival approaches, Guangzhou Flower Expo Park has introduced a unique and eye-catching flower this year—“The Lotus Lantern,” a red bloom imported from abroad that resembles a traditional palace lantern. This rare floral spectacle has already caught the attention of major local media outlets, drawing crowds eager to witness its beauty. Known scientifically as *Medinilla magnifica*, the Lotus Lantern is a perennial evergreen shrub belonging to the Melastomataceae family. Native to the rainforests of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, it typically grows on trees or rocky walls. During its blooming season, the plant produces striking, bell-shaped inflorescences that captivate onlookers. When the buds open, they first reveal a pinkish-white sepal, followed by a small, pearl-like pink ball that dangles gracefully from the stem. Many have called it “the dream of flowers” due to its ethereal appearance. The flower was first discovered in 1819 by Dutch horticulturist Auroraris during a trip to the Philippines. He brought the native species, *Potentilla splendens*, back to his home country for cultivation. In Buddhist tradition, the lotus symbolizes purity and enlightenment, often associated with the Buddha sitting on its petals. The term “Lianjie” (lotus world) appears in Buddhist scriptures, representing peace, light, and serenity. As such, the Lotus Lantern is considered a sacred and auspicious flower in many cultures. In 1948, American painter Svir came across the elegant Lotus Lantern at a flower shop and purchased it to paint. His artwork later gained widespread recognition, leading to its collection by the Washington Museum. The flower’s beauty sparked global interest, and a clever Dutch botanist soon traveled to Indonesia to collect and cultivate it, eventually introducing it to the world. This venture earned him the nickname “the man who dug out the first barrel of gold.” The Lotus Lantern has an elegant posture, growing up to knee height, with dark green leaves. It blooms from February to August, and new flower buds appear every time two new leaves develop. The flowering cycle lasts around eight to nine months, and with proper control techniques, it can bloom for several years. The flowers are as large as boxing gloves, resembling both a lotus and a legendary lantern. With its refined appearance, long blooming period, limited supply, and high cost (often reaching hundreds of dollars), the Lotus Lantern is gaining popularity as a premium ornamental plant. For potted cultivation, it is recommended to use a mix of peat soil and coarse sand to ensure good drainage and air circulation. Provide 50% shade using plastic film covers. Water daily, and apply liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. Maintain temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, and keep it above 15°C during winter. If properly cared for, the plant will bloom from November to March each year. During flowering, reduce watering slightly, keeping the soil just moist to avoid root rot. Propagation is best done by taking cuttings of annual branches in spring and placing them in a sand bed. Roots typically form within 30 days, after which the cuttings can be transplanted into pots for further growth. (Chen Peidong)

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