did you see the person who has lotus seed? I'm wondering how hard they are to sprout, and how much they would grow in a summer.

You probably won't find any plants for trade right now. Lotus are hard to divid right now, they should be divided while they are dormant or you risk killing them.
Lotus seed are very easy to start, the hardest part is nicking through the hard seed coat. Then just soak the seeds til they sprout. That is where I have always lost my lotus plants. I have been told that this is when you really need to fertilize them heavily. I think it would be at least next summer before you would have bloom.

I guess I can try my hand at the seeds.