Seed Germination

• Fill a small bowl with room temperature water. Use enough water to cover the tops of the seeds when you put them in to soak. Before you submerge them, hold your seeds firmly with tweezers or your fingers and carefully saw through the outer coat of the seed until you first see the white, inner flesh. This allows the seed to more easily absorb water. Store the bowl in a warm environment such as a greenhouse or other covered location with indirect sunlight.
  
  After the first 2 days your seeds should look lumpy from drawing in water. When your seeds have been soaking for approximately 9 or 10 days, you should see the beginnings of a green sprout from the end of the seeds. When the sprout begins to lengthen and uncurl, it's time to plant them.
  
  

Seed Development

• Before you put this seedling into your garden pond, you must let it develop in another location. Fill a solid plastic pot, without drainage holes, with ordinary garden dirt. A large bucket also works well for this step. Slowly add water until the water level is approximately 3 inches from the top of the dirt. The purpose of adding the water carefully is to keep most of the dirt settled at the bottom. If you believe that you have create muddy water and cannot recognize a solid patch of dirt underneath the water, let the pot sit overnight so everything can settle. When your top 3 inches of water is moderately clear, plunge your seedling down at least 1 inch into the soil with the green stem facing up. You may see some of the stem through the top of the dirt depending on the length of your seedling's stem.
  
  Repeat this step for other pots based on the amount of seedlings you would like to plant. Within just a few days you should see the stem grow significantly and the leaves will begin to fan outward. The plant will be ready for transplant just a week later.
  
  

Transplanting

• You can transplant your lotus when it has at least 1 long stem and full leaf. Prepare a spot in your transplant location by removing some of the dirt so that the roots will fit snugly. One way to remove your lotus is to drain the standing water and submerge your hands down the insides of the pot to the bottom and lift out the mass of roots. If you used a small pot you can drain the water and then turn the pot upside down onto your hand so that the mass of roots comes out. Immediately place your lotus plant into its new location and be sure the water measurement is at least 3 inches from the base of the lotus plant.