Question
I have a lotus in my pond, it was planted and placed there last fall. It has refused to grow much this year. It started sprouting new growth in the spring. The leaves never got very big, then would start turning brown and dry around the edges then die. Every new leaf would follow suit. I have trimmed all the dead off recently and pulled out any dead tubers. There is new growth, but the last actual leaf that formed (hardly larger than an old half dollar) turned brown and dry around the edges then continued over the leaf surface. Is this a disease? I have fertilized with pond plant tablets which seems to have encouraged new growth, but if it continues to die faster than it can grow it is not going to help.

Answer
I am not an aquatic plant specialist, but I have found a link that may help explain why the plant is not performing well.  Apparently it is all about the condition of the plant when you received it.  Check out this link and see if any of the information fits your situation.  They are trying to sell something at the end of the link and I would not suggest purchasing their product, but the information seems good.  I wish you good luck.  

http://www.pondplants.com/planting_lotus.html