Dwarf Lotus set up?

[Joshaeus]

Hi everyone! I am thinking about trying a dwarf lotus next year and wanted to see if my care protocol was correct. I was going to get a 10 gallon resin pot (most likely about 20 inches in diameter at its widest point), fill it with 5 gallons of heavy loam soil (about 50:50 top soil and clay cat litter), introduce the lotus in mid May, and then cover it with about 2 inches of water. I would start fertilizing it after the first aerial leaves came up and continue doing so until September; in October I would stop fertilizing and - after frost kills the foliage - remove the tuber and refrigerate it until the growing season resumes. Does this sound correct? Thanks

 

[mrsclem]

I would not risk removing the tuber. I would just move the pot to an area where it won't freeze solid. With a small container, keeping the plant covered with water can be an issue. I have one in a pot similar to what you are planning as well as a 75 gallon preform and with the hot weather we have had, it has been an issue to keep them from drying out.

 

[Joshaeus]

Uh oh...I don't have any good spots to do that. Oh well...good to know now before I spend the money to get one. Thanks