HYDROBOX®

 

 

Hydrobox® is a revolutionary solution which guarantees constant and even plant humidification.

 

A gel filling stores water which your plant retrieves.

WHAT IS HYDROBOX®?

Unwoven fabric catches water
and transports it to the heart of the HYDROBOX.

Internal structure ensures
free space thanks to which 1g
of the superabsorbent might store
up to 300g of water!

Superabsorbent
absorbs and stores water
and releases it straight
into the plant’s root system.

EASY APPLICATION

HYDROBOX® CARES ABOUT YOUR PLANTS
WHILE YOU ARE ON VACATION

 

Vacation is a time when you relax and forget about the mundane reality.
Unfortunately it’s also a hard time for home plants.
They might not survive, unless you provide the access to water while you’re away.

 

What are the solutions worth considering?

6 SIZES TO FIT ANY KIND OF PLANT

Hydrobox® is available in 6 variants – different sizes and shapes.
Each of them is designed for different types of plants
– both potted and garden plants.
You will easily find the right model for your plants.

12 cm

15 cm

30 x 10 cm

40 x 10 cm

20 x 20 cm

20 x 20 cm
MAXI

CHOOSE THE ONE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOUR PLANT

FIND OUT ABOUT HYDROBOX® CAPABILITIES

Hydrobox®

a revolution in irrigation

FAQ ABOUT HYDROBOX®

How should I water a plant with Hydrobox® solution installed?
Which plants is Hydrobox® applicable to?
Can I use Hydrobox® with young plants and does it pose any threat to them?
What are the benefits of Hydrobox® for potted balcony plants such as geranium?
In which soil conditions Hydrobox® is applicable?
How does Hydrobox® work?

Can I install Hydrobox® underneath strawberries in the garden?
Can I install Hydrobox® underneath tomatoes in the garden?
Is Hydrobox® suitable for growing herbs? Is it neutral for our health?
How long does a Hydrobox® last?
Is Hydrobox® effective?
Is there any research on the water saving effects of Hydrobox® during a specific period?

Can I install Hydrobox® underneath strawberries in the garden?
Can I use Hydrobox® for rhododendrons and thujas? If so, which size of the product should I use?
Can I use Hydrobox® with young plants and does it pose any threat to them?
What kind of water should I use to soak Hydroboxes?
Do I have to remove the Hydrobox® and install a new one if I replant?
Can I pour hot water over Hydroboxes?
What can I do with the product beyond growing period? I.e. under tomatoes when I need to dig through the garden? Can the same hydrobox be used again?

Which plants is Hydrobox® applicable to?
Can I install Hydrobox® underneath tomatoes in the garden?
How many hydroboxes should I use in balcony pots with geraniums?
Can I use a dry hydrobox for flowers? Why do hydroboxes need to be soaked?
Can hydroboxes be heated?
How long should a hydrobox be soaked?
Does a pot with installed Hydrobox® have to have holes in the bottom?

Which size of the Hydrobox should I buy?
How many hydroboxes should I use in balcony pots with geraniums?

Can I use Hydrobox® for rhododendrons and thujas? If so, which size of the product should I use?

Is Hydrobox® harmful to animals?
How about biodegradable properties of the product? Both the fabric and the basket?

Is Hydrobox® suitable for growing herbs? Is it neutral for our health?

How should I fertilise the plants with installed Hydrobox® solution?

What about fertilising plants after installing Hydrobox® technology?

Can Hydrobox® be used at cemeteries underneath flowers such as pansies, impatiens etc.?
Can I use a dry hydrobox for flowers? Why do hydroboxes need to be soaked?
In which soil conditions Hydrobox® is applicable?

What kind of water should I use to soak Hydroboxes?
Do I have to remove the Hydrobox® and install a new one if I replant?
Does a pot with installed Hydrobox® have to have holes in the bottom?

How about biodegradable properties of the product? Both the fabric and the basket?

Is Hydrobox® harmful to animals?

How should I water a plant with Hydrobox® solution installed?

The same as before, however you can do it less frequently (even 3 times less frequently). Plants with hydrobox installed in the soil are hard to overwater since the excess of water infiltrates the soil and leaks out through the holes in the bottom of the pot.

Which plants is Hydrobox® applicable to?

Hydrobox may be applied to most of the potted and garden plants as well as berry plants, bushes and trees. Hydroboxes are great to grow bylinas on and strawberries grown on them produce more fruits. We have no experience with orchids growing on Hydrobox® substrates but we’re hoping to change that soon.

Can I use Hydrobox® with young plants and does it pose any threat to them?

Hydrobox® has been designed mainly for young plants which are going to be growing their root system. The presence of water in the hydrobox will help them grow better and use water, whenever the plant needs it, making it independent from our watering which is often irregular. It also helps the plants survive short draught periods.

What are the benefits of Hydrobox® for potted balcony plants such as geranium?

Hydroboxes will work as an extra water ”tank” for these plants. On hot days you can water them less frequently and still enjoy the beauty of flowers. If you water them regularly, they will grow larger and prettier too.

In which soil conditions Hydrobox® is applicable?

In practically any given conditions. Just be sure not to overdose calcium.

How does Hydrobox® work?

Hydrobox® works like a “storage” of water. If there is excessive water, it collects it. It gives it back when the plant needs it.

Can I install Hydrobox® underneath strawberries in the garden?

Of course. Hydrobox mats should be installed 15-20 cm deep, the cultivation needs to be watered moderately while you wait for the fruits to grow.

Can I install Hydrobox® underneath tomatoes in the garden?

Yes, you can. Tomatoes form a complex root system and as soon as they find water stored in a hydrobox, they will react with growth and fruiting. The most difficult time is when the fruits form and ripen (late June to mid August). At that time, you should avoid the situation when the soil is dry. A reserve of water collected in the hydrobox helps reduce the frequency of watering to a needed minimum, which protects the tomatoes from diseases, especially grey mold.

Is Hydrobox® suitable for growing herbs? Is it neutral for our health?

Yes, Hydrobox is suitable for growing herbs. It is not harmful for your health.

How long does a Hydrobox® last?

Hydrobox is efficient for up to 3 years.

Is Hydrobox® effective?

Yes, it is effective, which was determined in long-lasting research on a lab scale and during field experiments.

Is there any research on the water saving effects of Hydrobox® during a specific period?

Yes, research focused on water evaporation from the soil and from hydrobox was conducted.

Can I use Hydrobox® for rhododendrons and thujas? If so, which size of the product should I use?

If you’re thinking of planting rhododendrons and azaleas, you need to prepare a significant amount of humous and acidic soil – around 100 l for one plant. 3.2l Hydrobox linear mat needs to be placed in the dimple, around the root system of the replanted plant. If the plant is large, you can place 2 additional hydroboxes on the edges of the dimple. Since the root system of these plants requires a lot of air, the dimple needs to be filled with soil, without hardening it. Over time, it should be supplemented with peat. Like rhododendrons, thujas require a properly prepared substrate with plenty of humous soil and peat. Dry substrate results in water stress, to which thujas react with lighter colour of the branches and production of cones. Therefore, before you plant new plants in it, we recommend installing several 2.5l - 3.5l hydroboxes near the root system. During prolonged draughts, the substrate needs to be watered by small doses, which will help replenish the water supply in hydroboxes.

Can I use Hydrobox® with young plants and does it pose any threat to them?

Hydrobox has been designed mainly for young plants which are going to be growing their root system. The presence of water in the hydrobox will help them grow better and use water, whenever the plant needs it, making it independent from our watering which is often irregular. It also helps the plants survive short draught periods.

What kind of water should I use to soak Hydroboxes?

The water should be clean, with low mineralisation level (the amount of dissolved ions). It can be cold or warm. Rainwater works great too. Beware, the effectiveness of hydroboxes may be limited if hard or very hard water is used.

Do I have to remove the Hydrobox® and install a new one if I replant?

It is recommended if the plant has grown significantly. In that case a larger supply of water would be required and thus, a larger hydrobox.

Can I pour hot water over Hydroboxes?

Yes. They will be as effective as when water in room temperature is used.

What can I do with the product beyond growing period? I.e. under tomatoes when I need to dig through the garden? Can the same hydrobox be used again?

You can dig through and use the hydrobox which will work fine, unless it’s torn apart or damaged in some other way. It’s a little bit different when it comes to balcony pots. You can remove the hydrobox, clean it and dry it up, after that you can use it next season. However, there’s a risk – if the substrate was infected, the pathogens may be transferred to new soil along with the hydrobox. It happens very rarely, but should be considered nonetheless.

Which plants is Hydrobox® applicable to?

Hydrobox may be applied to most of the potted and garden plants as well as berry plants, bushes and trees. Hydroboxes are great to grow bylinas on and strawberries grown on them produce more fruits. We have no experience with orchids growing on Hydrobox® bases but we’re hoping to change that soon.

How many hydroboxes should I use in balcony pots with geraniums?

One mat, the size similar to the length of the pot, is enough.

Can I use a dry hydrobox for flowers? Why do hydroboxes need to be soaked?

It’s not recommended, since in that case, the effectiveness of hydroboxes will be significantly reduced. One of the main functions of the Hydrobox solution is providing plants with water they need right after planting, which makes it easier for the plant to root in new location or substrate.

Can hydroboxes be heated?

It’s not recommended. The outer layer is a kind of unwoven fabric which may change its properties after put in contact with fire. Also, the internal structure may be damaged.

How long should a hydrobox be soaked?

15 to 20 minutes.

Does a pot with installed Hydrobox® have to have holes in the bottom?

Yes. If the hydrobox is installed in the bottom, no drainage is required.

Which size of the Hydrobox should I buy?

When it comes to plants with moderate water needs, the capacity of the hydrobox should be around 8-15 % of the pot’s capacity. For plants with high water needs, we recommend the size of 20% of the pot capacity.

Is Hydrobox® harmful to animals?

It is possible for a cat or a dog to tear apart the hydrobox and eat dry or wet superabsorbent. This may result in gastric issues and should be consulted with your veterinarian.

How about biodegradable properties of the product? Both the fabric and the basket?

The basic version is not biodegradable which means that it will remain on slopes and in the soil for many years, just like other geosynthetic materials. After the hydrobox efficiency ends, the roots grow through it and slowly start to decompose. Both the structure and the unwoven fabric are environmentally friendly (used for years) and can be taken out of the soil when new plants are planted. The structure may be recycled. The unwoven fabric too, but only after the roots are removed.

How should I fertilise the plants with installed Hydrobox® solution?

After the hydrobox is installed, fertilisation may be reduced by half to achieve the same effects. This happens because the fertiliser substances will be collected in the hydrobox and slowly retrieved by plant’s roots in quantities the plant requires.

What about fertilising plants after installing Hydrobox® technology?

Fertilisation may be reduced by half, since Hydrobox® reduces fertiliser losses. At the same time, using too much fertiliser will reduce the effectiveness of hydroboxes.

Can Hydrobox® be used at cemeteries underneath flowers such as pansies, impatiens etc.?

Individual hydroboxes the size similar to the root system of the replanted plant will provide growth for bylinas and annual plants. Replanted ones need to be prepared before placing then in a substrate with Hydrobox installed. Firm root collar on the root system which often forms near the sides of the pot needs to be loosened.