Question
hi, i just had a few questions reguarding water lotus.  i am currently germinating, or trying to germinate, 10 lotus seeds.  so far i have got 1 plant.:)  The other 10 seeds have been sitting in the water and have absorbed water but havent done anything else.  My questions are...  If the lotus seeds absorb water will that mean the seed will germinate?  Can the whole outer shell be removed from the seed when trying to germinate them?  About how long does it take for it to produce its first leaf?  And, can i plant them in gravel?  THis is my first time growing any water plant from seed.  THanks for your help.

Answer
I'm not sure that I know the exact answers to your questions since I've only tried germinating lotus seeds a few times.  Only a few of mine sprouted.  I knicked mine.  I think they do better with the outer shell on (but with an opening in it).  They are prone to fungal infections.  If a seed takes on water, that doesn't mean it will sprout.  I don't recall how long it was before I got a leaf from mine but it was quite a while, maybe a month.  Once they have a root, you can plant them loosely, near the surface, in protected water.  A Dixie cup of gravel might work.  They are very delicate.

This is what I wrote on my web site years ago:
"To germinate lotus seeds, you cannot just dump them in some wet soil or a pail of water. First, you must be sure that they are fertile. Fertile seeds are larger and hard. Infertile seeds are shriveled up. Anchor each seed in a vice. Then, use a file to file (large ones for wood, plastic, and metal are okay but a nail file is too, although it takes longer) through the dark seed coat. Once you see a white to yellow spot, you have broken through. When I tried this, the seeds kept slipping out of the vice so I just cracked them (barely, do not split them) with the vice, and they later sprouted. Place the filed seeds in some pond water. Every day, replace the water with fresh water or bacteria and/or fungus will grow. When something begins to sprout, place the seed right on the surface of some mud but into it a little. Keep the mud wet but do not put a lot of water over the seed. Once it starts to put out leaves and good roots, put it in the pond under just a few inches. You may need to protect it from any fish. Every few weeks, lower it a bit until it is about 3 to 6 inches deep, depending on whether it is a dwarf or giant variety."

Good luck!