I will be moving shortly and would like to take a few Empress lotus with me. Anyone how to dig them? Anyone in South East Louisiana that wants some can have some if they help me dig them. Pond is very low. I also have lots of other pond plants to share for pickup.
Betty
How to dig Empress lotus out of my pond?
I just wished that I lived close enough to help! I would love to have another lotus, not that I know that much about them!!
All I know is that you want to be careful to NOT break the growing tip of the tuber(s) off. They're brittle, so handle with care.
I don't know if there are any repurcussions to transplanting this time of year. I know that Lilypons quits pulling tubers from their growing ponds (to sell) really early in the spring. That's more a matter of being able to enjoy blooms that same season, though (or so I've been told)
Not sure who the resident lotus expert here is. I am just starting another pond that will be specifically for plants, with a large lotus as the centerpiece.
The Lotus should be dormant (no green growth remaining) before division is attempted. Late fall or really early in the spring are the best times to divide them.
but I believe TK is moving, not simply dividing ...
Yes I am moving. They are not in pots but in the mud bottom. I have let the pond dry out. It has a little rain water in it. Warning to everyone don't let them out of the pot. I started with one in a 20 gal pot and it took over the pond.
Oh my gawd ....... hahahahahaha.
That's actually nice looking, though!
They are pretty when blooming but they cover everything else up. There is a waterfall and an island in the middle.
Oh........ lol
You should see what ONE did at Thoroughbred Daylilies! LOL
Here, you can.
I would try to follow each runner down and gently lift each piece if you have to do it now.
Whether your digging them up to move or simply to divide it should still should be done when they are dormant. Can you go back in January and do a bit of digging then tortoisekeeper?
There was one member here that purchased a tuber mid season......she reported it showed no growth and received a refund. It really doesn't take to being dug up when it's in its' growing period. It doesn't even like to have its' leaves removed until they have totally turned brown.
edited to say you certainly can try but if you can return later on it would be good to get some in the dormant stage.
This is from the above link and I've had lotus sellers tell it to me:
Quoting:
PLANTING LOTUS TUBERS SPRING AND FALL
Please handle your Lotus tuber carefully, as they are fragile and can be easily damaged. The first thing we do is turn over the pot of Lotus over after the Lotus has gone dormant.
Do not do this if there are leaves present as it can mean death to the plant and tubers. I can not stress this enough the plant has to be dormant for the tubers to be ripe. Normally this is in late fall, winter or very early winter, before the plant has produced any new leaves. Once you have the pan turned over take a hose and wash the entire dirt off.
The above quote obviously deals with tubers in a pot but success, whether digging from a pond or dividing from a pot, will be more likely when your Lotuses leaves have all turned brown.
This message was edited Aug 24, 2005 6:05 PM
Thanks everyone. I will wait untill the last minute to try this. Don't know if I will be allowed in Jan. I do have several seeds that I can try to sprout. Does anyone know why only a few of the seed pods make good seeds? Maybe one out of 4 has 1 good seed in the pod.
I wouldn't mind some of your Cypress (Umbrella) Plant!! They look lovely!! The Lotus however would be too much. I only have a tub pond and it is stuffed just about to overflowing!! I NEED to get me a larger tub!! Bonnie
Hey, my picture didn't post up there! This is a pic of one lotus that went haywire at Thoroughbred Daylily farm.
I have lotus growing in one of those tubs with rope handles and also in one of those Grecian urn type pots that is only about a 16" or so across and about 18" deep.
I have read that Lotus deeply resent having their roots disturbed. But if you have nothing to lose you might try carefully digging out a section...sliding some kind of support under the mud (maybe burlap ?) and moving a large section of the root ball. Might be worth a try.