A prolonged heatwave in France has dried out soils so badly they can no longer retain water, prompting restrictions on water use. Journalist Anicet Mbida presented technology aimed at helping plants cope on "Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1" on Monday, August 10.
Mbida said technology could give nature a helping hand so soils can once again act like a sponge. He pointed to small grains or crystals developed by the company Rain Catcher that can hold large amounts of water. He explained that adding a little water causes the grains to swell and retain liters and liters of it. Once it rains, the grains store the water in solid form near plant roots, acting as a reservoir that keeps the plant hydrated, he said.
Available in garden centers
The grains are sold in sachets already available to the public in garden centers and can be mixed directly into potting soil. Mbida said that when watering, the grains solidify to conserve the water and release it slowly. He referred to an image showing potted plants left unwatered for 15 days: those treated with the gel remained healthy, while the others wilted with dry leaves. He called the product especially useful for people going on vacation, noting that a sachet costs between 25 and 50 euros and lasts five years. He added that future versions of the crystals could capture humidity from the air and store it in the soil, potentially watering plants without any need for manual irrigation.
Recycling water
On July 21, gardening specialist Pierre Le Cultivateur, also of "Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1", recommended recycling water. He suggested saving cooking water to use for watering instead of wasting it, and placing a basin in the sink to catch water even during simple handwashing, alongside collecting rainwater.
