Lotus question, depth.....

[perplexed ponder]

My Mom bought me a lotus yesterday!! (the president)
Question... Is it o.k. to put it in the pond and have the bottom leaves in or just above the water? It's in a tub already and I just put it on the bottom, figured it would reach up like the lillies do.

Am I correct that I do not cut any leaves under the surface of the water?

[greenthumbnails]

I am not sure that the leaves of a lotus are like those of the lily that will reach up to whatever water level it grows in....I seem to remember reading something about not submerging the lotus leaves....

You are correct about not cutting the leaves under the surface of the water though.  The stems are hollow and are a direct conduit to the tuber below.  Supposedly you could drown the tuber this way, or at the very least make it more suceptible(spelling?)  to infection from nasties in the water.  Cut the leaves above the water line if you want to remove them.

[perplexed ponder]

Thanks,
I (well, DH) moved it to a platform so it's about a foot higher than it was. I didn't realize how many leaves were underwater. I think it will be better off now. Might still be a touch low, but should be o.k. can't wait for the bud to open!!

[tweetybaby2005]

Thanks for posting this question.  I was wondering this as well.  Right now my lotus is not doing so hot (no pun intended) in the heat (103F and 101F 2 days in a row) so I'm hoping it will limp along until my new pond is done to put it in.

Kuan