How to Plant with the Groasis Waterboxx

How to Plant with the Groasis Waterboxx

Planted correctly, the Groasis Waterboxx® plant cocoon can give a survival rate of more than 90%, even on dry, eroded and rocky soil and in temperatures above 40°C (104°F). Getting those results depends on following the steps below in order. They follow the official Groasis tree planting manual.

What you need

• 1 Groasis Waterboxx (reservoir, anti-evaporation covers, mid plate, cover/lid, cap, 2 siphons and wick)
• 1-2 young saplings or seedlings. 3-inch liner saplings up to 3-gallon saplings are recommended.
• A shovel and pliers (for pulling the wick through)
• Water: 20–40 litres (5–10 gallons) to pre-soak the hole, plus about 20 litres (5 gallons) at planting. Rainwater is ideal.
• Sand or loose soil, and stones if you have them
• Optional: a GrowSafe Telescoprotexx to protect against grazing animals, heat and frost

Before you plant: check the roots

The young tree must have a main root (taproot) that grows downward. Roots that circle around inside a pot or bag will not grow down. Cut them off as described in Step 6.

Choosing the site and timing

• Pick a sunny spot with room for the mature tree. The Waterboxx is made for poor, rocky and eroded ground.
• Central Texas tip: plant in fall or winter (roughly October–February). Cooler weather and winter rain let the roots grow deep before the summer heat.

Step-by-step planting

Day 1: prepare the planting hole

1. Dig the planting hole 15 cm (6 inches) deep. Do not dig deeper. Leave the soil below it undisturbed so its natural capillary channels, which carry moisture up from deeper ground, stay intact.
2. Pre-soak the hole with 40 litres (10 gallons) of water if the soil holds little water, or 20 litres (5 gallons) if it holds water well.

Day 2: assemble the box and plant

3. Loosen the bottom of the hole to about 3 cm (1 inch) deep so air can get in. Wait a few hours before planting.
4. Install the wick. Push the wick through from the inside of the reservoir and pull it through with pliers. Lay it neatly alongside the opening.
5. Assemble the box. Fit the two upright edges into the openings of the lips, then click the two siphons firmly into place. The Waterboxx is now ready.
6. Prepare the saplings. Cut 5 cm (2 inches) off the bottom of the pot or bag, taking the circling roots with it. This leaves a main root that grows straight down. Then carefully slit the bag lengthwise.
7. Place the anti-evaporation covers on the bottom of the hole on an east–west line, and choose where the 1-2 saplings will go along that same east–west line.
8. Plant. Set each tree in place with its bag, then remove the bag. Put the roots fully into the soil, not sitting on top of it.
9. Cover the roots with sand or soil and lay the anti-evaporation covers in place. Do not pack the soil down with your foot; watering will settle it later.
10. Add 10 cm (4 inches) of soil on top of the anti-evaporation covers only, before placing the Waterboxx.
11. Place the Waterboxx over the trees so they come up through the center opening.
12. Put sand around the box and set the overflow just above soil level.
13. Loosen the soil around the box. This kills grass and seals in the capillary water. If you have stones, lay them over the ground around the box.
14. Water the plants. Pour 4 litres (1 gallon) gently into the center opening, pouring indirectly so you don't wash soil away from the roots.
15. Fill the reservoir with 16 litres (4 gallons) of water, then close the cap. The trees can start to grow.
16. Optional: add a GrowSafe to protect the young tree from grazing animals, intense sun, heat and frost. Its sections telescope upward as the tree grows.

Aftercare

• Once filled, the box refills itself from rain and condensation, so you normally don't need to keep watering.
• Keep grass and weeds down around the box and make sure the cap stays closed.
• If both saplings survive, cut the smaller one after the first year so the stronger one gets all the water.

Removing and reusing the box

1. When the branches start growing fast (usually after 9–12 months), the roots are deep enough and have found moisture. The tree no longer needs the Waterboxx.
2. Carefully lift the Waterboxx up and off the tree.
3. Cover the ground around the tree with paperboard, sand, cloth, hay or rocks to hold in moisture.
4. Before the box's next use, remove the wick, machine-wash it at 40°C (104°F) or warmer with detergent, rinse it well and reinstall it (or replace it). The polypropylene Waterboxx can be used about 10 times.

Tips and FAQ

Do I need irrigation lines?

No. The Waterboxx is a planting technology, not an irrigation system.

What size plants should I use?

Use 1-2 young saplings or seedlings per box. 3-inch liner saplings up to 3-gallon saplings are recommended. Make sure the taproot grows downward.

Why do I have to dig only 15 cm deep?

Leaving the soil below undisturbed keeps its capillary structure intact, and that structure moves deep moisture up to the roots.

Can I plant on rocky or poor soil?

Yes. The Waterboxx was designed for dry, eroded and rocky ground, which suits the Texas Hill Country.

More resources

The official Groasis manual and videos: How to plant with the technology of Groasis.

Instructions, images and diagrams ©Groasis. Waterboxx® and Groasis are registered trademarks of Groasis B.V. Adapted by Tree Amigos, distributor in Austin, TX.