I appreciate the information!
As for the hardy plants growing well until they get root bound, that isn't a problem as these will be grown for sales. One thing I've seen with plants grown in small pots is that when the do become root bound, they will take re-potting VERY well. In fact, much better than a plant that is not root bound when it is re-potted. It's more like the sudden extra room triggers a growth spurt.
As for the Lotus, John Davis of Bushnell, FL, long-time IWGS member and my original waterlily mentor, grew his selling stock of lotus in one gallon pots, with many pots in a shallow plastic tank, so the water level was far enough over the pots to keep the plants happy.
By the time he sold them, they would usually have a bloom, and be rather root bound. He told his customers to cut the pot away from the plant without disturbing the root mass and re-pot them in appropriate containers. Those plants, like the root bound waterliles, didn't go through "transplant shock," they simply took to their new environment quite readily and grew like mad.
Totally blew away a lot of what I'd been told about growing lotus.
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL