"Hal" wrote in message
...


brevity snips

The AgSafe Aquatic-Spikes are 12-20-8 instead of the perfect 1-2-1 mix
I prefer for flowering plants, but they are time released and one
spike lasts up to 4 months, which means I only feed once a season.
Directions call for 2 spikes per plant 3" away from the plant crown
and 3" deep. Once the lotus tuber begins to grow it sends roots
around the pot, so I put 4 spikes around the perimeter of the pot and
forget it.

That's what I've been doing with the Rose spikes.

Never tried it in such a large container, but I would suggest waiting
for the first shoot in the spring and carefully dig up a tuber and try
it in a container that you can dump.

I believe I'll try this next spring. I'll watch to see where the leaves
come up from.....

I've never tried Jan's method of
allowing a second season of growth without starting over with a new
tuber. I know in the wild they have a second season and more from the
old roots and tubers, but look at the tubers in my pot last year.

http://tinyurl.com/2fxzcb

Wow! I can imagine mine also looks like that if they could be seen.

I don't think I can feed that many tubers in such a small space.

If I had little choice like your situation I think I would try feeding
by the pound or maybe pounds of fertilizer.

When I tried regular garden fertilizer 2 summers ago (about 1/2 lb) it
turned the leaves yellowish and the edges browned. Still never got one
flower.
--

RM....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Zone 6. Middle TN USA
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö