I don't get around here that much these days since there's very little activity. Fortunately today I decided to take a look. I think one of the problems with Lotus in containers is that the water in the soil stagnates and develops a high build up of minerals. In nature water moves through the soil so there wouldn't be that effect. If you were able to pump all the water out (that within the soil as well) it could then be replaced with fresh water.

When you see Lotus in nature they grow in massive clumps, usually very densely. They're only restricted by deep water and solid ground. Everything in between they rapidly fill up. Being root bound would be a natural state for them.

The fertiliser I use for the Lotus is a 20-4-4-2+TE 21 gram tablet, mainly used for trees (or generally large plants). I put in 6 of those tablets when I fertilise. Lotus is the sort of plant that's easy to grow but difficult to keep in good condition.

Thanks tropicbreeze............Yeah, when I was putting in the fruit tree spikes, my method of putting it through a pvc pipe and then pushing it with a smaller pole wasn't working so well and I got mud on my hands..........and there was a bit smell of stagnation/sulfur.........so I think you're right that everything I've put into that bog has had nowhere to go. I guess it's not nice to fool mother nature! :) I'm going to have to think of a different way of having lotus around....maybe going back to just growing it in a submerged pot that I thin every year or two.

Maybe I'll get younger and can dig this bog out and start all over? :)

Thanks tropicbreeze.