Pruning lotus

[bagsmom]

My lotus all have some icky leaves. I know that the aerial leaves should be pruned with the stems staying above water level to avoid rot. What about the floating leaves? Can I cut off the yucky ones without hurting the plant?

 

[addy1]

I let any yuck lotus leaves die completely on their own. Basically I ignore the plants. They seem to do better that way.
Same with the lilies I only go in to remove leaves when they are almost mush dead. I never pull them if they just look not perfect.

 

[bagsmom]

This was taken a couple of weeks ago and the leaves that look icky look way worse now. I know with other plants, you want to remove dying and damaged stuff so the plant doesn't put energy into a lost cause, so to speak. They really look pretty bad by now.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

This was taken a couple of weeks ago and the leaves that look icky look way worse now. I know with other plants, you want to remove dying and damaged stuff so the plant doesn't put energy into a lost cause, so to speak. They really look pretty bad by now.

What is the water temperature?

 

[bagsmom]

I need to get a thermometer. Mine broke in a wheelbarrow accident.

When I'm in pulling out algae, it feels like tepid bathwater.

 

[Mmathis]

Interesting......I don't know a thing about lotus.

 

[addy1]

I need to get a thermometer. Mine broke in a wheelbarrow accident.

When I'm in pulling out algae, it feels like tepid bathwater.

My pond water is back down to 55F it was 78f
The lotus pads look fine. A few spots here and there.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Could be Alternaria (Leaf spot). If there are no fish in this container you can try spraying the foliage with Captan.

 

[bagsmom]

@Meyer Jordan
The pond and pool are both running 80 degrees.

I read about brown spot and the book said to remove diseased foliage. I guess I'll be ok cutting the floating leaves below the water line -- but aerial leaves have to be cut above, since stems are hollow, yes?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

@Meyer Jordan
The pond and pool are both running 80 degrees.

I read about brown spot and the book said to remove diseased foliage. I guess I'll be ok cutting the floating leaves below the water line -- but aerial leaves have to be cut above, since stems are hollow, yes?

I know that reeds and rushes are best pruned above the water line.

There is this from the IWGA on Lotus care:
"When pruning or trimming, never cut flower or leaf stems below the water level, as roots and tubers use stems (even dead ones) to help provide oxygen. When lowering lotus for winter, prune after lowering."

 

[bagsmom]

I know that reeds and rushes are best pruned above the water line.

There is this from the IWGA on Lotus care:
"When pruning or trimming, never cut flower or leaf stems below the water level, as roots and tubers use stems (even dead ones) to help provide oxygen. When lowering lotus for winter, prune after lowering."

Well that's a quandry! How to remove the diseased leaves that float on the water, without cutting the stems below the surface?
Hmmmm. What to do?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Well that's a quandry! How to remove the diseased leaves that float on the water, without cutting the stems below the surface?
Hmmmm. What to do?

I would leave the floating leaves alone. As they completely die back the Lotus plant will naturally seal the stem.