Guess what happens when you prop up a lotus plant on the ledge of the pond?

[DCinKS]

You're right. A big wind gust comes up and sends it to the bottom of the pond:hissyfit:. Fortunately it landed right side up. I had to swim to the bottom and lift it out. Now it is in a temporary tub waiting to figure out where to put it.

[koikeepr]

Oh dear! That's why every ponder needs scuba gear! Sorry to hear this!!

[Meganne]

it will happen if you put it IN the pond on a plant ledge also. and if you put it in a shallow pond on the bottom a real good wind can simply tip it on it's side in the pond, even in a nice big pot, the only one I have that doesn't tip is in a thick ceramic pot

[PaNancy]

At least you lucked out that it landed right side up. :)

[cliffandjoann]

We have our Lotus plants, in large pots right next to the pond.
The pots are buried at ground level, and surrounded by other plants
and rocks, they do however look like their in the pond.

see it next to the dock? it is currently now about 6 foot tall.

http://backyardpond.homestead.com/P1010072pond_pic_rev___7-5-04.JPG

This is another lotus that is located in front of the biological pond. The biological
pond is located 18 feet from the main pond. The lotus looks like it's coming out of the pond, however it's in a pot buried at ground level right up to the pond.

http://backyardpond.homestead.com/files/p2010001_taro_bio_rev___9-1-04.jpg

This is a great way to plant lotus when you have ponds that are too small
for lotus, as they get huge.

Even in large ponds this planting method is good, more room for the fish...
also in the winter we just cut them down and cover the pots with a few leaf bags
after we finish raking our leaves. This keeps them warm all winter.

BTW DC...they never fall over into the ponds...:yes:

[DCinKS]

Thanks for the ideas. Joann, how do you keep the wet?

[cliffandjoann]

They are in 5 gallon tubs...we have a sprinkler system, but in hot weather we add water everyday.
the head groundskeeper scoops water out from the pond with a big jug (with a handle) and adds it to the pots...
that's easier than putting on the hose then shutting it off. It makes me crazy when I take a nice
photo and see one of his jugs in the shot.

[Meganne]

Joan your gardens are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

[addy1]

I am thinking of trying potted lotus in the bog, see how they do.

[cliffandjoann]

They do well in the pots, and it's easy to fertilize them in the pots.
This is the one by the bio pond

http://backyardpond.homestead.com/P1010210lotus_rev__8-3-05.JPG

This is the one by the main pond.

http://backyardpond.homestead.com/P1010277lotus_rev_7-31-06.JPG

[addy1]

Is it too late to start them from seed? I could keep them in the house for the winter.

[ponderpaul]

This also happens when you don't know what you are doing. Thought the basket would protect it. Likie Joann's idea! Time to start saving tubs for this thing next year

http://i744.photobucket.com/albums/xx82/ponderpaul/8-124brothers.jpg

[cliffandjoann]

addy, donno about starting them from seed. someone sent me a start
several years ago in the month of April I think. Don't remember, but I think we
kept it wet in a sunny window and planted it in mid May.
...are there any lotus guru's here that know how to start them?

[addy1]

addy, donno about starting them from seed. someone sent me a start
several years ago in the month of April I think. Don't remember, but I think we
kept it wet in a sunny window and planted it in mid May.
...are there any lotus guru's here that know how to start them?

I was told to nick the seed and place in wet warm environment. Trying to decide if to start this year or wait till spring. I may experiment, I have 15 seeds to play with.

[cliffandjoann]

Ponderpaul, I see you're in zone 7 like we are. Do you take the lotus indoors
in the winter?

As I said previously, we just cut them down and cover them
up with heavy leaf bags (filled with leaves) to keep them warm.

Our lotus are about 10 or 11 years old now.

[ponderpaul]

?????? My pond has never stayed frozen over for more than a few hours. This is my first lotus. I put it in the pond on July 11 with 4 leaves on it. I am in a very steep learning curve!