Biochar F**k up?

sworth

sworth

Well-Known Member
I just happened to read someone the other day saying how their parents used biochar back in the day. They'd mix un-inoculated biochar (well I guess that'd be charcoal then?) in to the soil and watch the nutrients get sucked out of the weeds. A couple of years later and the "biochar" was good and they underwent planting.
I have a 15 gallon soil with a plant just not getting any nutrients. Ph is fine, lights, etc etc. I did throw a couple of pints of homemade biochar in the soil before potting her up in it, and I'm pretty much convinced that I did not prepare the charcoal properly, and it's now sucking out the nutrients.
So yesterday I ran a soil test.
N- Ex Low
P-Med/High
K- Ex Low
Extremely low as in almost off the colour/color chart :shock:
Gave her a feed of some CannaBio veg....and lashings of compost tea and she has cheered up a little today.

Other than re-potting her into some different soil (which I have) I'm none too sure what to do.
How long does charcoal take, thrown straight in to soil, to start being beneficial?
I fear having 50 odd gallons of soil to mature for a couple of years, pmsl :lol: because there's a couple of more of these pots...

Oh yeah, if stoner memory is correct, I charged the biochar by mixing it up with worm compost and keeping damp with compost teas for a couple of weeks...any bad smells I wouldn't of used it.

o_O
 
sworth

sworth

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the link. I read it.
But I'm not too sure how helpful that is...given that the OPs original point of consistant emission of IR radiation from charcoal was discounted by someone on the field...:confused::dunce:

BIOCHAR AND RETARDATION OF GROWTH IN PLANTS
This effect is negated when biochar is inoculated (or "impregnated") with nutrients, prior to use. Biochar functions as a "nutrient condominium." Biochar is very porous with high surface area which allows it to essentially fill up with nutrients and when its "full" it then starts excreting those nutrients into the rhizosphere.

When biochar is not inoculated prior to use, it fills up its own surface area, which can cause the retardation of growth as the biochar is fighting with the plant to absorb beneficial nutrients and micro-organisms. Garden Grande is mixed and then pelleted with other compost-like materials and in the process allows the biochar to become inoculated with those nutrients and organisms, thus "filling up" the biochar with the essentials to promote plant growth.

Many industries use non inoculated biochar or activated carbon as filters for the very reason of the ability to "suck up" toxins and heavy metals in contaminated soils via its high surface area and porous structure. Industries such as sugar refining use it as a purifying method, land reclamation after mining operations to absorb chemicals and heavy metals and also water filters such as the Britta. The same functions apply, when a Britta filter's (comprised of activated carbon) surface area is filled after a number of months, it must be changed. Thus, its a similar effect to a sponge, it fills up and then excretes.
http://www.ecotracorganics.net/why-biochar/
 
Last edited:
DonBrennon

DonBrennon

Well-Known Member
I think the idea of charging the char with EWC is a very good one for microbe innoculation, but with regards to NPK, it hasn't got really high amounts. So I'm guessing the 1st def was probably N, probably all soaked up by the char. I reckon if you"d have added some 'meals' in and then let it all cook for a few weeks, you"d have been golden
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
sworth said:
Yeah, it's kinda lesson learned now...I think I may dump it all in the veg garden and make a fresh batch of soil.
I'm anticipating some massive carrots next season :lol:
Click to expand...
I always say to use a high nitrogen tea rather than a microbe tea.
the homesteaders have been using urine for yrs, for that reason.
I used a dandelion and comfrey ferment.
but the initial charge I always try to steer people to a high nitrogen content, as that's basicly the only macro that gets sequestered when not charged thoroughly
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
sworth said:
I just happened to read someone the other day saying how their parents used biochar back in the day. They'd mix un-inoculated biochar (well I guess that'd be charcoal then?) in to the soil and watch the nutrients get sucked out of the weeds. A couple of years later and the "biochar" was good and they underwent planting.
I have a 15 gallon soil with a plant just not getting any nutrients. Ph is fine, lights, etc etc. I did throw a couple of pints of homemade biochar in the soil before potting her up in it, and I'm pretty much convinced that I did not prepare the charcoal properly, and it's now sucking out the nutrients.
So yesterday I ran a soil test.
N- Ex Low
P-Med/High
K- Ex Low
Extremely low as in almost off the colour/color chart :shock:
Gave her a feed of some CannaBio veg....and lashings of compost tea and she has cheered up a little today.

Other than re-potting her into some different soil (which I have) I'm none too sure what to do.
How long does charcoal take, thrown straight in to soil, to start being beneficial?
I fear having 50 odd gallons of soil to mature for a couple of years, pmsl :lol: because there's a couple of more of these pots...

Oh yeah, if stoner memory is correct, I charged the biochar by mixing it up with worm compost and keeping damp with compost teas for a couple of weeks...any bad smells I wouldn't of used it.

o_O
Click to expand...
any high soluble nitrogen feed will help this out though, alfalfa tea, bloodmeal, bat guano, fish meal, fish hydrosylate, etc.
all those will "charge" the charcoal.
the potassium def can slow growth as well.
personally i'd use fish hydro, urine, or bat guano first.
Honestly if I thought it was a nitro def i'd just piss in a 5 gallon bucket and add 4 gals to it, and call it a day.
 
testiclees

testiclees

Well-Known Member
Keep an eye on pH bro. Biochar can be wickedly base.Also if the char is ashy there is gonna be a jolt of K.
I'm using a a batch right now that i first mixed with straight peat and then hit with various topdressing. It cured outside in a 10 gal fabric pot over winter and spring.
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
testiclees said:
Keep an eye on pH bro. Biochar can be wickedly base.Also if the char is ashy there is gonna be a jolt of K.
I'm using a a batch right now that i first mixed with straight peat and then hit with various topdressing. It cured outside in a 10 gal fabric pot over winter and spring.
Click to expand...
that's what I was going to say too, except he said he aged it in compost, and teas, etc. that would def be enough to lower the ph.
but hell yea, unrinsed and uncharged and biochar will spike the ph HIGH
 
sworth

sworth

Well-Known Member
I was off to buy some bloodmeal tomorrow, figuring it'll be the quickest hit of nitrogen, see if that helps. She's been having plenty of bat guano teas etc, along with my other girls.
I'm not giving up on her yet. The biochar was charged to some extent, so she'll pull through eventually...
 
RuRu.The.Half.Elf

RuRu.The.Half.Elf

Well-Known Member
I am trying to find a simplified recipe for pre-charging biochar other than the whole months in a composter. I get the whole AACT for the microbe colonization. But as you are having issues with, the nutrient charge, the part I am contemplating.

Don't mean to hi-jack the thread or anything.. But this is the "freshest" thread on bio-char.

I have Sea-90, Alaskan Fish & Kelp bottled fertilizer. Would soaking 24hrs in a solution of these, then add some fresh ewc and bubbler for another 24-36hrs be sufficient?

Nute solution mix of recommended amount per gallon and maybe 1.5x-2x on the kelp for bigger N value?

Strain, use biochar mudd as soil amendment? Dry it out?
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
sworth said:
So I got the bloodmeal today, gave her a small handful as top dressing and watered it in with some aact...then did the same to all the other pots as a preventative measure.
Anyway, time will tell I guess.
Found the article that clued me in to my problem. Worth a read over coffee and a blunt bongsmilie
https://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/how-charge-biochar
Click to expand...
Ok, I'm gonna offer my .02 and even that is overvalued.

I think that the blood meal will fix you right up. Was gonna suggest that, but didn't feel like dealing with the blowback from 'eeewwwww blood meal'. Would also suggest a like amount of kelp meal for both the low K and the micros it brings to the table. Small handful amounts.

I mostly use uncharged biochar, the 'shake' from the bottom of a lump charcoal bag. I go through a fair amount with my smoker. Also use a similar amount, a couple of pints in a bit over 15 gallons of mix. I will add a scootch more N to the mix for the char and have never had the extreme sequestration that you mention, especially with the partially charged char you used.

In short, I just don't feel your biochar is to blame, but just not having enough slow release N in your mix is. The blood meal will tell one way or the other in a couple of weeks. As fast as blood is, IME it still takes about 2 weeks before you actually see results. Seed meals are even slower.

I'm not saying that the sequestration can't happen, like if more than 10% of uncharged char is dumped in a mix, I just don't think it's the case in your situation.

Really, REALLY suggest the kelp meal if you don't have any. NOT liquid or extract, or whatever, the meal, like fed to livestock, horses, etc.

Wet
 
RuRu.The.Half.Elf

RuRu.The.Half.Elf

Well-Known Member
sworth said:
So I got the bloodmeal today, gave her a small handful
Click to expand...
"I've tried you at levels of moisture
From desert to mud
I've given you grow lights and mineral supplements
What do you want from me, blood?

I've given you sunlight
I've given you rain
Looks like you're not happy
'Less I open a vein

I'll give you a few drops
If that'll appease
Now please, oh, oh, oh, please
Grow for me"
-Little Shop of Horrors
 
GreenSanta

GreenSanta

Well-Known Member
RuRu.The.Half.Elf said:
"I've tried you at levels of moisture
From desert to mud
I've given you grow lights and mineral supplements
What do you want from me, blood?

I've given you sunlight
I've given you rain
Looks like you're not happy
'Less I open a vein

I'll give you a few drops
If that'll appease
Now please, oh, oh, oh, please
Grow for me"
-Little Shop of Horrors
Click to expand...
nice poem oh, oh , oh, my favorite part
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top