The concept
The Groasis waterboxx plays an essential role in the educational projects of
Hopeland Foundation. If trees and plants need to survive in difficult circumstances, the waterboxx is a wonderful instrument. The waterboxx is placed around the young tree or plant and filled (only once) with 15 litres of water. The waterboxx provides the young plant with 50 cc water a day. This is enough water to survive, but not enough to spoil the tree. The tree will be forced to grow strong roots towards the water in the ground. In the meanwhile the waterboxx stimulates the capillary processing and the prevention of evaporation of groundwater, steadies the temperature around the roots, fights competitive weeds, and prevents the damage by rodents. After 6-12 months, the waterboxx can be removed. The tree has reached the water in the ground by then and can survive on its own (without further irrigation). The waterboxx can then be used again. There is also a biodegradable version, which doesn’t have to be removed.
The first and only water addition is enough to provide the tree with water for 300 days. But the waterboxx also collects water producing condensation and by collecting rainwater.
The waterboxx is only an element in a concept, which also includes growing methods for the plants, a tree encyclopedia, training courses and educational kits.
The waterboxx is also suitable for growing vegetables. Because vegetables need far more wather than trees, the first water addition is enough for a month. But offcourse the waterboxx also collects producing condensation and by collecting rainwater, which lengthens this period. But even so, walking to a water source every day or once a month makes a huge difference!
Have a look at www.groasis.com for more detailed
information, or search for “groasis” on YouTube.
The advantages
- The waterboxx enables us to plant under extremely difficult circumstances. Results so far show a surviving rate of 85-100%. With traditional planting methods, the survival rate is around 10%.
- The waterboxx needs water only once. No further irrigation is necessary. This saves a lot of water and, in areas where water is very scarce, much less walks to water sources are needed.
- Further erosion of dry areas is stopped if you plant trees and shrubs. By planting trees, nature restores itself. New vegatation arises and surface water appears.
- By planting trees, the local inhabitants can generate food and income (fruit, nuts, wood, oil, etc.). The waterboxx can also be used for vegetables.
- Planting with the waterboxx means no interdependance with the rainy season. Planting can take place all year round.
The production of the waterboxxes happens locally if possible. For the planting itself often the locals are hired as well. - Planting trees helps reducing the CO2 problem.
