Katfish--thanks for the offer ... I'd probably take you up on it
As for the huge pads & why, the roots have grown out of the pot holes & feeding on the muck at the bottom of the pond. Probably like growing in a mud pond condition. Avalanche has pads that are just as large & it is in a smaller pot
I've been watching their pads all summer & been amazed at their size. Caliente has huge blooms, too. Everyone that comes by wants it because it is so impressive. Plus the pads are so cool to look at. Midnight was being a close runner up with big blooms. So if you leave the bottom of your pond dirty, there are benefits for the lilies
This pond has taken me all day to do. Luckily I didn't have to do a lot of work to level it a bit. When I have to stuff dirt under the sides that is when the serious labor kicks in. I'm dreading doing my 8x12 pond as the dirt settled too much under it so I've got to relevel it.