lotus (nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic plant that is usually found in ponds and rivers. It looks like a water lily (nymphea) but not quite. They are two totally different plants. The lotus has the distinctive seed pod seen in the center of the flower, but the water lily lacks this structure. Also, the lotus comes only in white and pink colors while the water lily has many different colors ranging from purple, white, pink, and yellow.
Last month, a plant exhibition was held in SM Cebu. As usual, my brother-in-law was there to look around and buy some plants that he likes. Then he came across a seller of lotus plants. Since it will be difficult for him to transport the plant back to Mindanao, he asked the vendor if he could have some free lotus seeds. The seller agreed, but when asked how to germinate it, he said that all he has to do is throw the lotus seeds into a pond and it will grow there. He was quite skeptical, so when he got home, he asked me to do some research on the lotus seed. I told him what I discovered and he did an experiment. He placed half of the lotus seeds in water without scarifying them, and the other half he scarified and also placed in water. Well, we found out after 72 hours that scarifying it is a must.
This is what I found out and what it did:
Since the lotus seed is very hard, you should have a file or a serrated knife or a fine-toothed saw. Make a scar in the middle of the lotus seed horizontally by cutting the seed coat until you see the creamy yellowish pulp inside. You can use a vise to hold the seed while you cut it. Widen the scar a bit with a nail file, then soak it in water. You have to change the water every day or fungus and bacteria will grow. Within 48 hours, you will notice the lotus seed swell a bit. After a day or two, a crack will appear, then wait for the new shoot to emerge after 12-24 hours. Transfer your new lotus plant to a pot with some clay and plant it there. Remember not to put too much water or it will rot. Just make sure it’s wet all the time.
Transfer it to larger pots when it grows, or place it in your pond.