It depends on which climate you're in. But they can be slow in the early stages. Don't know specifically about "Bowl Lotus" but I sprouted the larger White Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in late summer. It spread into a large mass and was putting up flowers 11 months later. In the earlier part it just seemed too slow before rocketing off later on.

Thank you for help :) I'm in a tropical climate so it's supposed to be ideal for growing lotus. I have tried at least 4 times and have never successfully grown a plant... I will keep doing the water changes for the bowl lotus and hopefully it will take off at some point

Keep it in the sun as long as possible. I found early on that the leaves didn't last long and died. But they were quickly replaced by new ones. It wasn't until about 5 or 6 months old that they suddenly started getting big fast. Whereabouts are you?

I'm in Trinidad. Unfortunately the sprout on the bowl lotus broke off :( I have planted the other sprout but it seems to need more sun, so I will work on that. I have just one seed left in the bowl lotus, which I will probably try soon. Where are you located?

Breaks below water level usually end up killing the plant. Apparently rot gets in and travels right through the plant. I always lay the sprouted seeds on the surface of the soil and the roots and runners bury themselves. There's less chance of damaging them that way.

I'm in northern Australia, close to Darwin. Near equatorial like you but not on an island.

Thanks very much for your advice. It's rainy season here, so we're not getting as much sun as the seedling needs. The bowl lotus seed always sprouts, but this time the shoot never made it past 2 inches in length. Maybe I should just lay it on top of the soil as you suggested soon after it sprouts?

The seedlings do not need sun. Lotus seeds germinate even in frost. Are you scratching the side with a hole properly. If not , keep scratching till you see a white pulp appear. Soak them in a glass for about 12 hours. After 12 hours the black shell will become soft and then gently peel it off. Try avoiding touching the side with a protusion. Your lotus seeds should start sprouting in 2-3 days. Do a water change every 12 hours till they start sprouting. After that only after a few days if required( not required if water does not stink). Do a very slow water change to avoid build up of fungi. Hope this helps