transplanting lotus

by Debbie
(Pittsburgh, PA)

I need to transplant my lotus and there seems to be a long runner coming from the tuber that has about 9 sprouts, each with it's own root. Can I cut this apart to grow more plants or do I just replant as is. I have never transplanted a lotus so I would appreciate any help.
Thanks, Debbie

Doug says - yes, those shoots are important and the rooted (small) tubers are new lotus plants. Be careful with them! They don't like to be abused at all but they do move and transplant. The trick (or at least the most important one) is to not plant too deeply (barely cover the small root) and do not cover the growing tip or hurt it in even the smallest way. That growing tip is both fragile and important. Bruise it and your plant will simply live for a while and then die.

So remove the new tuber from the mother plant carefully and then plant it with the growing tip above the surface and the other end slightly deeper (the tuber is on a bit of an angle).

Good luck with it.