I followed Longwood for many years and was on several iterations of their mailing lists. Eventually I settled for growing the Euryale Ferox which gets huge and thorny, but doesn't have the up-turned lip. It's also easier to grow, though it's likely the closest relative to Victoria.
The thread "Euryale" in
Ponds and Water Gardening forum
Someday, when I convince my wife to move to a milder climate, I want to try again. Though, Euryale has really grown on me.
