Overwintering Lotus questions

[Freddie Peepers]

here in zone 5 we have experienced a killing frost and all our terrestrial annuals have died. Our lotus has turned brown and no longer is sending up anything green. My container is on the patio and WAY too big to move. I don't have anywhere to put it anyway.
 I was wondering if I could carefully dig up the tubers in the big container and place them in a smaller container that I could then sink in the pond so that they don't freeze. Is this possible and would they survive? Thank you for any help

[matherfish]

If the tubers are no longer growing and are dormant, you should be able to dig them up and transplant them. I would wait a few days past the frost, before the pot freezes, and then try it. As long as the tubers do not freeze, you should be okay.

[Craig]

Hey Frank...you grow a number of lotus. so you may be interested.  Change is in the works that will eliminate the need to sell lotus as a tuber only.  No more  lotus season restricted to spring; someone wants one in June or July it is there for them.  Also it will allow them to be displayed and sold right off a shelf.

[matherfish]

Hi Craig. Actually I did that this year.  I kept the tubers in water and they grew, but I sold the growing tuber. I planted them like that and they did fine, so I sold them on into July that way. I actually planted them all the way into September (9 pots planted then), and they all lived. Not sure if that is what you had in mind, but it worked. As long as the tuber is not planted, so that you do not have to dig it up and chance breaking the growing tip, the plants can be planted later in the summer.

[Craig]

Nope, this is going to be a world of difference Frank....there are no tubers involved.  Plants will be sent in a container and when transfered from container to pond, they bloomed in a month.  Or they can be left in the container on a shelf until they are sold.

In short, it is going to be a whole new way to sell lotus and the people that have seen it so far love it.  I need to organize my photos to show you.  Just waiting on final approval of the new logo before I do that.<g>

[matherfish]

Craig, that sounds great. Okay, I am waiting 

[Freddie Peepers]

OK i dug into the container and found a BUNCH of big fat tubers. Next question....what should I plant them in the smaller container that I plan to sink in the pond....would pea gravel suffice? or should I use dirt with the gravel on top as I did in the deck container?

[matherfish]

Since you are just keeping them in the pot for the winter, either would work fine. You will need to get them out before they start growing next spring or you will break the tips most likely with gravel.

[Marie Fisher]

Craig,I too would be very interested in your method of shipping lotus and/or their tubers.  I have
almost 100 varities of lotuses, just am quiet about it.  Frequently ship them.
So when you send information to Frank, would you mind sending me a copy too.

Marie

[Craig]

It isn't a shipping method, Marie; it is a complete regimen for growing lotus that ends up letting you ship them the way I now can, but it won't work on tubers.

When I have all my ducks in a row, I'll explain the in's and out's of my system in a Water Gardens International Journal article.  I'm not sure I'll make the deadline for the next one, but I figure the journal article will be the easiest way to answer any questions...at least any of the ones I can anticipate.<g>