nuciferine and aporphine. The genome of the sacred lotus was sequenced in May 2013. Cultivation The sacred lotus grows in water up to deep. The minimum water depth is about . In colder climates, such a low water level, which heats up more quickly, is helpful for better growth and flowering. Lotus germinates at temperatures above . Most varieties are not cold-hardy. In the growing season from April to September (northern hemisphere), the average daytime temperature needed is . In regions with low light levels in winter, the sacred lotus has a period of dormancy. The tubers are not cold resistant but can resist temperatures below if they are covered with an insulating cover of water or soil. During winter time, the roots have to be stored at a frost-free place. Planting The sacred lotus requires a nutrient-rich loamy soil. In the beginning of the summer period (from March until May in the northern hemisphere), a small part of rhizome with at least one eye is either planted in ponds or directly into a flooded field. There are several other propagation ways via seeds or buds. Furthermore, tissue culture is a promising propagation method for the future to produce high volumes of uniform, true-to-type, disease-free materials. The first step of the cultivation is to plough the dry field. One round of manure is applied after ten days, before flooding the field. To support a quick initial growth, the water level is relatively low and increases when plants grow. Then a maximum of approximately with grid spacing of are used to plant directly into the mud below the soil surface. Harvest The stolon is ready to harvest two to three months after planting. It must be harvested before flowering. Harvesting the stolon is done by manual labor. For this step, the field is not drained. The stolon is pulled out of the water by pulling and shaking the young leaves in the shallow water. The first leaves and flowers can be harvested three months after planting. Flowers can be picked every two days during summer and every three days during the colder season. Four months after planting, the production of flowers has its climax. The harvest of flowers is usually done by hand for three to four months. Seeds and seed pods can be harvested when they turn black four to eight months after planting. After sun drying for two to