Case Studies
Creating a Clear and Beautiful Lotus Pond
Okinawa, Japan
Overview
Southeast Botanical Gardens in Chibana, Okinawa City, is one of Japan’s leading botanical gardens, established in 1968. Across its 400,000m² grounds, 1,300–2,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants flourish, along with animal interaction areas featuring capybaras and squirrel monkeys.
The Water Garden higlights seasonal lotus displays and serene waterside scenery.
EM Technology is currently used to manage the water quality of the “Omoiyari”(means Compassion) Pond, helping to maintain a clear and healthy aquatic environment.
The Water Garden higlights seasonal lotus displays and serene waterside scenery.
EM Technology is currently used to manage the water quality of the “Omoiyari”(means Compassion) Pond, helping to maintain a clear and healthy aquatic environment.
Background of this Initiative
This initiative began in 2022 through a collaboration between the director of the botanical gardens and EM Research Organization. Because the lotus pond at Southeast Botanical Gardens is one of the largest in Okinawa Prefecture, the gardens first conducted a trial in a smaller pond from January to June 2023 to evaluate the effectiveness of EM Technology on the lotus growth.
The trial led to excellent results, with improved water quality and healthy lotus blooms.
Based on these findings, full-scale application in the pond began in August 2023.
The trial led to excellent results, with improved water quality and healthy lotus blooms.
Based on these findings, full-scale application in the pond began in August 2023.
Objectives
- Improve Water Clarity: Enhance transparency in the pond to provide visitors with more beautiful waterside scenery.
- Improve the Waterside Environment: Promote the natural decomposition of accumulated organic matter such as lotus leaves, thereby creating an ideal environment for aquatic plants and living organisms.
- Improve the Waterside Environment: Promote the natural decomposition of accumulated organic matter such as lotus leaves, thereby creating an ideal environment for aquatic plants and living organisms.
EM Application
- Activated EM・1 (AEM) Solution: Approximately 2,000L are added monthly to the pond (approx. 7,000m² surface area and 1m depth).
- EM Rectification Blocks: 10 EM rectification blocks made from a blend of concrete and carbon materials are installed around the perimeter of the pond.
- EM Rectification Blocks: 10 EM rectification blocks made from a blend of concrete and carbon materials are installed around the perimeter of the pond.
Effects and Results
Since the introduction of EM, the pond has shown remarkable improvement in water quality.
Initially, the gardens assumed that applying 2,000L of AEM per month to such a large pond would not be sufficient and expected results to take 2-3 years.
However, visible improvements were achieved in just 1 year.
Improved Water Clarity: Water transparency has increased significantly. Previously, the pond became murky during autumn and winter due to accumulated lotus leaves, and again in early spring. Since the introduction of EM, the water has remained clear throughout the year.
Initially, the gardens assumed that applying 2,000L of AEM per month to such a large pond would not be sufficient and expected results to take 2-3 years.
However, visible improvements were achieved in just 1 year.
Improved Water Clarity: Water transparency has increased significantly. Previously, the pond became murky during autumn and winter due to accumulated lotus leaves, and again in early spring. Since the introduction of EM, the water has remained clear throughout the year.
Future Expectations
- Decomposition of Sludge: Continued use of EM is expected to accelerate the breakdown of sludge accumulated at the pond bottom.
- Enhanced Lotus Growth: The improved environment has already led to lotus leaves growing upright, allowing them to capture more sunlight and increase photosynthetic efficiency. Based on prior EM-based flower cultivation results, EM is known to promote more flower buds, stronger flower color, and a longer flowering period. It is expected that the pond will continue to produce even healthier and more beautiful lotus flowers as water and bottom conditions improve.
- Enhanced Lotus Growth: The improved environment has already led to lotus leaves growing upright, allowing them to capture more sunlight and increase photosynthetic efficiency. Based on prior EM-based flower cultivation results, EM is known to promote more flower buds, stronger flower color, and a longer flowering period. It is expected that the pond will continue to produce even healthier and more beautiful lotus flowers as water and bottom conditions improve.
(October 2025)
