Winterizing Lotus and Lilly Tubers

[KJLive]

Hello. I just joined this forum. I have had my water garden for many years. I live in Central PA. I was hoping someone can provide me with some guidance. I haven't had much luck with lilies and haven't grown a Lotus. My Koi are large and no matter what size pebbles I use, they dig out the tubers. Since the Lilies are not cheap, I stopped trying! Lol! Anyway, I was just presented with a great opportunity. My neighbor decided to close his pond a few years ago. He had 2 separate ponds with huge Lotus plant and tons of Lilies. He wants to remove it. He told me that I can take whatever I want! Here is my question. I may take him up on the offer and get some of the Lily tubers and Lotus tubers now that we are in Fall. (I tired to grow Lotus in summer, but it didn't make it). Without planting the tubers into pots, is there any way I can store the lily and Lotus tubers over the winter months so that I can plant them in the Spring? I may try putting the lilies on my plant ledge and the Lotus' in pots outside of my pond. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Since they are free, I have nothing to loose! Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[JamieB]

I haven’t grown lotus, there are threads here to help. I know they’ll die if they freeze, most folks pot them and put them where they won’t freeze, and same can be done for lilies.

 

[KJLive]

I haven’t grown lotus, there are threads here to help. I know they’ll die if they freeze, most folks pot them and put them where they won’t freeze, and same can be done for lilies.

Thank you. I read somewhere that you can store tubers in peat moss, but I cant find the article. I really want to get a few from my neighbor, and dont want them to die. I would really like to store the tubers and plant in the spring.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

I don't know anything about lotus, but for the lilies I'd suggest going ahead & planting them in pots now & putting some sort of mesh barrier over the top to protect them from your koi. I used black plastic dishpans covered with welded wire.

 

[addy1]

Here is a bunch of how to for storing over winter, they are real fragile when they start growing in the spring.

storing lotus tubers over the winter at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

 

[addy1]

Here is for lilies

Overwintering Hardy Water Lilies: Gardener's Supply

Techniques for water plants grown in tubs or pools

www.gardeners.com

 

[KJLive]

Here is a bunch of how to for storing over winter, they are real fragile when they start growing in the spring.

storing lotus tubers over the winter at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

I will review. Thank you so much!!!!!!

 

[JamieB]

Sorry, got Interrupted and had to put away the phone. What they said and linked should help

 

[j.w]

@KJLive

 

[KJLive]

Here is a bunch of how to for storing over winter, they are real fragile when they start growing in the spring.

storing lotus tubers over the winter at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

Many articles state to harvest the tubers "late fall". Any idea when? Lol! I dont want to pull them out of his pond too early and risk killing them.

 

[addy1]

Mine are all dying back, leaves brown, stems bending etc. I would pull when you see that. They are going dormant. You need to pull out real careful , you don't want to break the tuber. The lilies don't care about the tuber breaking.

 

[KJLive]

Mine are all dying back, leaves brown, stems bending etc. I would pull when you see that. They are going dormant. You need to pull out real careful , you don't want to break the tuber. The lilies don't care about the tuber breaking.

Thank you. This guys Lotus' are all tangled together. I think it will be challenging to say the least to remove them.

 

[mrsclem]

Addy- have you ever divided your lotus in the fall? I have heard only divide in the spring.

 

[addy1]

Addy- have you ever divided your lotus in the fall? I have heard only divide in the spring.

I have not touched them since I put them in the 300 gallon tub, 6ish years ago. I think I put them in the spring, when first planted in the big pots. At one time they were in big pots in the 300g tub, I added litter dumped the pots out, those big blue things from walmart with rope handles. Let the lotus run free.

I just know they say once they start to grow they are a lot more fragile. Mine, when planted, where just tubers. I had to weigh them down with rocks until they anchored themselves.

 

[mrsclem]

Was thinking about pulling the monster from the 75 gallon preform and dividing it but it will have to wait till spring now. Have firewood being delivered tomorrow, deck cleaned Wednesday and still need to finish tear down on the pond.