Spent water lily blooms should be clipped as close to the crown as possible. Lotus should be clipped above the water line. If Lotus are clipped below the water line, you should seal the stem someway. It has been suggested that you bend the tip over and put a small rubber band around it to keep water out of the stem. Glenda

Waterlilies grow fast if you fertilize them. Lots of sun too, no less than 4 hours, but more is better. I think you will get blooms this year and more next year. Plant in a big, wide container, with no holes or mesh.

I am dreading this spring as my lilies have been in the same big pots for 5 years now. They declined a bit last season so time to drag up those pots, divide the tubers, freshen up the clay soil, insert fertilizer tabs deep in the pot, and replant those nice new growing tips. I have to do the same with my thalia. Major spring chores ahead. As long as I am dragging pots out I want to vacuum the bottom clean and do a 1/3 water change.

Hi
From what I've seen of the box store starts they are incredibly small so give them time. Would assume they are the hardy types?? In 10 florida you'll probably do better with tropicals though the hardys do okay,tropicals will produce more flowers .They also tolerate the heat MUCH better. Old leaves will disintegrate very rapidly so you can remove them or not.
Wouldd suggest waiting until you get good growth before fertilizing. I use fruit tree spikes pushed as far into the soil as possible. Keeps it out of the water column. Saves you a bit of algae lol gary