Can I divide my lotuses soon?

[laurw]

I have had a Mrs. Perry Slocum and a -I want to say Rubra Plena, but it may be Rosea Plena- in two enormous tubs since Spring '05. They bloomed gorgeous this year and gave me a lot of seeds too.

I'm in Zone 6, but the last few Winters have been pretty severe; I generally plant for Zone 5.

The thought of hauling these 150-200lb tubs back into the porch for the Winter...ugh. We have a dolly and a ramp up the steps, but I'm not doing that again!

Any tips on collecting the tubers and storing them for replanting next year?
I have no idea how to do this.

I used to be on the old pond message board...and the old-old one before that. This is my first post here.

Joyce, I'm assuming you are Swimming Jewel Joyce (Long Island)?
And is that Lou by the lake in CT?

Its so good to see all the familiar names again!

Is Spanish Leprechaun around? I wanted to ask him a question.

[Vickie]

I am in zone 5 and I do not divide my lotus till April.

[Jerry]

Hello, Yes Carlos is here and s a fine poster.  We were hacked as you know and lost much.  The site will get back to it's former glory.  lot's of old friends here like you, but they must re register. I am sure you know of Sean who is a water lily expert.  he is also our webmaster and has his hands full!
Joyce is indeed "Swimming Jewels"  and Louis is the remarkable photog!

WELCOME!

[Joyce]

Yup, me: Joyce aka Swimming Jewel, etc, etc.

I wait until early spring to divide my lotus, before they start growing.
Can you insulate the pots with haybales, bagged lawn leaves and such?
I overwintered so many tropicals last year by mounding bagged lawn leaves over them, even my elephant ears made it.  I would throw a tarp (or plywood) over the pots, and then cover and surround the pots with haybales, bagged lawn leaves, etc, until they are under a small mountain of insulation.

Lotus are pretty hardy!

[laurw]

Thanks!
I'll wheel them up cozy to the house and give the insulation trick a try.

You guys are the best, so glad to be back. 

Laura W.