What's eating my nelumbo 'mrs. perry d. slocum'?

Nelumbo 'Mrs. Perry D. Slocum' is a large-flowered hybrid lotus sharing the pest profile of all Nelumbo. Aphids on new aerial growth are the most common issue. Leaf-roller caterpillars can disfigure the large foliage. Fish stocking and manual control keep most threats manageable in garden pond conditions.

Colonies build on young aerial leaves and flower buds, causing leaf curl, sticky deposits, sooty mold, and reduced blooming on this prolific cultivar. Dislodge into the water with a firm hose jet for fish to eat. Remove and dispose of badly infested leaves.

Caterpillars tie leaf edges with silk and feed inside, producing ragged holes and brown dried patches on the large decorative leaves. Unroll leaves, hand-pick caterpillars, and drop into a bucket of soapy water. Apply Bt to aerial foliage if infestation is severe.

Beetles scrape and skeletonize pad surfaces, leaving brown channels that decay and reduce the plant's photosynthetic area. Knock off into the pond for fish to eat. Remove heavily damaged pads promptly to prevent rot spreading.