It is the time of the year that the lotus, hyacinth, and many other plants will die back. Mine look pretty much the same way yours do, and this is normal. Don't pull the leaves or stems off, just let them die back. Protect the tubers from freeze and frost during the winter, and they should take off again next spring.

I've overwintered my lotus in a shed, just keeping the soil moist, and I've also wintered outside in a lean-to plastic tent over it. Others lower the pots to the bottom of the pond. Some store them in the garage or basement. What you do kind of depends on the severity of your winters.

As for the runner, you can carefully remove it and pot it if you want, but if you leave it, I doubt it will survive the winter, if it's in a spot that freezes or gets frost.

Thank you Nancy! Do you know if you can plant up all the runners coming out of the bottom of the pot? Every 6 inches or so is a set of roots and a leaf forming. I googled and googled and could not find any info. I have a greenhouse with high frequency lights and thought I would try and see if they would form a tuber.

Is breaking off the runner the same as breaking off a stem? Meaning could it drown out the tuber if I cut all those runners off coming out of the drainage holes?

Thanks again! Renee

I don't think breaking off a runner is the same as breaking a leaf stem. If each runner coming out of the bottom of the pot has its own roots, they should be fine to plant.

My guess is that the pot is too small and/or it needs thinning. If you have runners coming out of the pot, its probably too crowded. Are they dwarf varieties?
Also, I wouldn't use so many rocks on top of the top.
Have you been fertilizing them all summer? In that small a pot, you'll need to be careful about burning them with the actual fertilizer tab.
I would get a pot that is bigger and wider.

Don't have anything to add as far as the lotus, but wanted to tell you, "Beautiful pond." That is just poetry to my soul for ideas.

can i divide my lotus right now?

Where are you located? What zone?
I wouldn't divide them unless you're sure they are completely dormant. Its better to do it in the early spring though.

renee i noticed you are using large tall type container- for yrs i did the same. one thing i have learned w/ lotus it is worth investing in tub type containers. i bought couple sizes of cattle watering tubs at farm supply store, very tough all-weather material. 24" round by 8-10" deep, and bit larger size about 30" round by 10-12" deep. they are holeless and provide amplee space to avoid over running sides. i fill about 1/2 to 3/4 with soil. top with water. also i do not keep my lotus directly in pond anymore... such heavy feeders i always had green pond! now i do put one tub on blocks so rim is above water line so lotus and heavy fertilized water is seperated from rest of pond water. i set other tubs around outside my pond and around yard. some older ones i drop tub to bottom of pond for winter, a few i bring into cool dark basement. good luck!