Had my first lotus flower 3 years after planting (3 days ago). Sorry no pic, but it was very nice. Plant keeps trying to spread but it is in a clay bottom and continues to struggle. Had one bud last year but it was clipped by a turtle before it opened. They clip leaves as well. The lotus found a brush pile and that is where it bloomed. Turtles seem to stay out of there. Emergent plants are also developing very slowly in the clay.
