Well, at least I think it's sick. It was fertilized in June with 3 pond tabs in a large tub container.

Edges of the leaves are yellow and black. No blooms this season at all. Can anybody point me to some additional information on lotus health?

I'm not very good with plants as far as diagnosing problems, diseases, or deficiencies. Too much or too little of a certain element does cause changes in leaf coloration. It's possible that the lotus took up too much fertilizer into the leaves. I did a search for information on lotus health but found nothing relevant. Sorry.

Check your ph level. make sure it is not more than 7.5. that will kill a lotus. lotus are very sensitive to ph levels. any more questions, please email me at dibs_54923@yahoo.com. i am owner of Dib's Water Garden Specialist in Berlin, Wisconsin. www.dibswatergardenspecialist.com

some of the lily pads on my lily arent doing very well. any suggestions?

That's an easy one Tommy. Lily's only support as many pads as their environment will allow (larger ponds, more pads, small tubs, less pads, etc) much like many fish that grow to match their environment. The problem is, they continue to grow new pads if the water has the proper conditions for them.

I've had a few water lilies in tubs for a few years and they maintain the best looking pads if you pinch off the older pads as they get about 50% yellow. The plant will cycle out it's own pads naturally, but they do tend to look a little nasty as they cycle out. Just make sure you pinch them off at least a few inches under the water, the closer to the planting medium the better (but not under the medium 1-2 inches above works nicely). The other benefit to this is the remaining pads stay healthier longer as the plant isn't trying to support a dying pad. :)

thanks mike! some are dieing but most are doing very well.

What exactly is wrong with the lily pads? Mike is right about removing pads that are yellowing. I also remove any pads that are brown (usually ones held out of water which happens when they need repotting or more surface area), diseased, or torn severly. This also keeps the aphids and other pests away. Waterlilies should be fertilized for best growth and flowering. I use one PondTabb per gallon once a month. If the pads look bad, check that pests aren't a problem. I have a section on them at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/plant2.htm

Lotus can grow and thrive over most parts of America, they like heat and warmth, though they have limits, over 90°f or so they go dormant, which makes it difficult for them to thrive in areas where Summer heat is excessive, lotus are quirky about preferring a steady 70°f to 90°f temperature during their growing season

As for Winter limitations, as long as they don't freeze they should cope dormant, their tubers go real deep when they form.... rather like potato's, they can 'cope' with cold hard Winters

Lotus have a few quirks about starting up, shallow water is a safe but, planted deep they sometimes seem to 'give up'

Another quirk, while they grow real easy from seed, they also rot off very easy, started indoors you need to time it when it is warm enough to dash them outside where they are unlikely to rot by comparison, this catches out most folk who think 'I'll start them early indoors' over Winter...

Another quirk, lotus can do unexpected things... in conditions they like they can romp off 40 foot a year, this is mentioned as a word of caution for folk who are tempted to toss a few in a large pond or native lake...

Budding has a few quirks, no they don't flower all Summer, they may if you are lucky start mid summer... or not at all if your Summer heat is too much for them... You could see them start to form buds, only to see the plant turn ragged because of midday sun

Plants grown with midday shade might be 'way to go' to get lotus to stay perky all Summer over many parts of America...

Regards, andy
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