I have a lotus that is just starting to put up leaves, and I have found
that one of its three growing points has jumped the pot (I planted it
too close to the edge in the first place). I read a newsletter that
said that the writer took a runner from a lotus that jumped its pot and
replanted it elsewhere. I thought you couldn't touch those things
during growing season out of concern that injury would rot the whole
plant.

I also read that if the plant is producing out of pot runners, it
diminishes the chances for blooming, which I certainly don't want to
happen. It's hard enough to get those things started and keep the
racoons out afterwards.

So, if your experience was that you could cut off a runner that's just
wandering around in the water, and replant it in the summer, without
damaging the rest of the plant, I would be very grateful to hear from
you.