u/mothotization

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this. I purchased these lotuses from an Indian market because I thought they would be great in a bloom basket. The woman at the counter told me to open them by hand when ready and that they’d last 3-5 days.
The videos I see online feature someone smacking a bud and watching it explode into a perfect bloom. The petals on the inside of mine won’t budge and the outside ones droop towards the ground. I feel like I’m tearing them apart. Am I doing something wrong here? Is it something I’m supposed to do with the cotton buds or the handling or the opening? Are floral arrangements just wrong feeling and anxiety inducing by default? Any advice appreciated.

Zero exceptions to the rule. I need to catch more berry mon. Do you all normally keep or release when this happens?