I've never done that, although tadpoles sometimes do it for me, LOL. But I've seen lots of crowded waterlilies that still grow well. They will elevate some leaves above the water.

Tanks tropicbreeze. Supposedly if you cut off lotus stems, you can kill the whole plant.......I guess from something like an air embolism, but that sounds a little weird to me. Maybe that's just when it's just starting out and only has 1-2 stems. I read somewhere that people do cut lily stems if it's getting too large, but I can't find the old article. I guess I'm trying to keep lilies unnaturally in too small a space......or hope for more tadpoles. :) I owe you a note, and hopefully I can get to it soon! Thanks again.

Mine bloom better slightly crowded. The old leaves will die off and sink to the bottom adding nutrients for the plant.