Desertification causes extreme planting circumstances

There are circumstances where with the present methods of planting of any plant/tree species is very difficult. Think of areas that are devastated by long periods of drought. This may be at the edge of a desert, but also, for example, a warm, dry summer in Spain. In these situations, the Growboxx® plant cocoon can provide additional support. The following areas may apply:

  • The Growboxx® plant cocoon can be used on difficult to reach rocks and mountains – areas where it is too difficult to remove the ten times reusable Waterboxx® plant cocoon;
  • The Growboxx® plant cocoon can be used on walking sand dunes in deserts where the Waterboxx® plant cocoon will probably be covered by sand;
  • The Growboxx® plant cocoon can be used in burned woods where there is no longer any humus to 'fix' water and nutrients;
  • The Growboxx® plant cocoon can be used on salted and damaged dunes at the seaside.

For these extreme circumstances, Groasis has developed a biodegradable version of the Waterboxx® plant cocoon. The biodegradable Growboxx® plant cocoon is the perfect solution when you want to plant trees on locations where it is otherwise very difficult. When a tree is plant with the Growboxx® plant cocoon, you don’t have anything to worry about. 

Growing trees on rocks

On the page trees and shrubs grow on rocks, we clearly explain how the technique of planting on rocks with the Groasis Waterboxx® plant cocoon works. Here are some photos that prove that trees and shrubs can grow on rocks. On difficult to reach slopes, it is easier to leave the box than to take it away after 1 year.

With the Growboxx® plant cocoon, that is made from recycled paper, no damage will be done to the environment as it takes over the function of humus and helps the tree start growing. 

Walking sand dunes in deserts

Planting on walking sand dunes in deserts is another challenge. At present, this is done with palm leaves which create less wind, which causes the sand to settle. In soil, Tamarix stems are planted and given some water.  After a while, a small part of the stems starts growing. To learn about these current and successful techniques, look at the images how walking dunes are planted in the Sahara desert in Morocco. With the Groasis Waterboxx® plant cocoon, planting results in order to 'fix' (settle and correct) walking dunes will approach 100%!

In order to do more tests in these extreme circumstances, Groasis cooperates with two Universities in Morocco (pictures): University Mohammed I at Oujda Morocco with Professor Aatika Mihamou, and the Institute Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II in Agadir Morocco with the Professors Cherif Harrouni and Abdellatif El Fadl (right and left of Pieter Hoff). In Nairobi, Kenya, Pieter Hoff visited the Green Belt Movement and met Jasper Kirika to organize future projects.

Replanting burned woods with trees and shrubs

Burned woods are very difficult to replant not only because of the burnt trees, but also because the humus is often burnt and lost. With the Growboxx® plant cocoon, nutrients will be available to the newly planted tree once the box starts to degrade. In this way, the box takes over the function of the missing humus.

Look at the images of burned trees aside the road between Sacramento and Reno in the USA to see the devastating effect of burned woods. These pictures were taken when Pieter Hoff was visiting the University of California (UC) Davis, where he had a meeting with Professor Louise Ferguson, one of the most well-known fruit tree specialists in the world. He also visited the Desert Research Institute in Reno, NV where he had a meeting with Professor Paul Verburg.

Replanting salted dunes at the seaside with trees and shrubs

It is very difficult to plant trees in salted dunes. Salted sand damages early root development. With the Growboxx® plant cocoon, this problem is solved and damaged dunes can be replanted without problems. Look at the images of the seaside to find how difficult it is to plant salted dunes.  

A tree growing beside the sea. Many trees can withstand salt water Many trees are very tolerant to salted water (tree on beach in Muscat Oman)

Conclusion

The Waterboxx® plant cocoon increases planting success under many difficult circumstances. And under extreme circumstances, the Growboxx® plant cocoon offers even more possibilities to create successful planting results.