> What a great description! You really make me want to try them, but I > just don't live in the right place. I'm in Zone 10. Nelumbo lutea is native to northern North America. Nelumbo nucifera (flowers white through red in various cultivars) is native to Asia. N. nucifera grows well in warmer climates so long as they have high humidity. They are considered almost impossible here in Phoenix. But if you live in a muggy climate you should have no trouble with N. nucifera. The sprouting method is the same, except they are very vigorous from the beginning. People often flower them in 5-gallon buckets. The runners and tubers are very brittle. To learn more, go here: http://www.victoria-adventure.org/ Leo Martin Phoenix Arizona USA