I can see all stages of the Lotus on the Shinobazau pond in front of my place. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinobazu_Pond It starts growing large leaves in late May and by July it has totally covered it. The flowers develop from the bud within about two to three days and open early in the morning. The flowers are just beautiful, naturally opulent and luxurious. They look like made of Marzipan but falter within two days. Then begins an interesting metamorphose of the pod into the rather bizarre looking seed pod eventually all dropping into the water. In the end also the leaves dry up and the remainders are cut and removed in winter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelumbo