My lotus bloomed,but it doesent look like it did last year.What happened?I haven't changed the type of fertilizer or anything,its in the same spot.Here's the link from last year http://davesgarden.com/showthread/88080.html
what happened to lotus?
What day bloom is that pic?
Could be many factors that made bloom lighter. First bloom of season can be bad bloom.
Looks to me like you have an Empress Lotus that had insect damage to the bud before it opened. The seed pod looks healthy, see how you do with your seed production. Visit our website for Lotus Growing Guidelines. Click on Water Gardening, then Lotus. I wouldn't worry too much about the first flower, they tend to get better with time.
Babs
http://www.victoria-adventure.org
Babs, read her old post. The lotus was purchased as a Ms Perry Slocum. SHe has pics of bloom last year. It was a changable. I didn't think empress was a peony type double bloom lotus. At lest mine is not. Purchased mine as Alba Striata (empress lotus). Creamy white with what looks like pink painted tips on edges of flowers.
azsteve,the next bloom looked more like last years bloom so I think your right about the 1st one being bad.But neither has viable seeds...
Hopefully it will continue to bloom good for you. I have run into a lot of people that are not having viable seeds this yar. Must be something in the water. LOL. Actually don't know why, I know here in Mississippi the lotus bloomed mighty early this year also. If you find out a reason for no viable seeds, please let me know.