Jimboo Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) @@Ogami-itto Agreed. @@Jimboo too much bio char can raise ph, but will be good for aeration. 10% seems to be a decent figure. Too much can also cause N lock out as the available N is used up to work on degrading he carbon. Can happen with other amendments if not composted. So if adding things like high N (alfalfa ) can be better to top dress rather than having it break down in the soil unless you mix has been left to age. Personally I find perlite works ok for. Will probably try some of them growstones and see how they work out. From what I can see with rice hulls they break down within a few runs. from what i understood mate biochar dosnt degrade eta The carbon in biochar resists degradation and can hold carbon in soils for hundreds to thousands of years. Biochar is produced through pyrolysis or gasification — processes that heat biomass in the absence (or under reduction) of oxygen. http://www.biochar-international.org/biochar Edited May 2, 2016 by Jimboo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudger36 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) @@nudger36 Cork ... Doesn't sound that sustainable, isn't that way we have these crappy plastic wine corks. Or maybe that's just the cheap crap I buy! Its a big con mate, its very sustainable, if we dont buy cork the cork farmers will plant something else to farm. Theres loads of info available mate. I love Biochar and personally dont worry about PH, also depends on whats it been charged with. Alfalfa contains triacontanol a very special growth hormone, with all different kinds of effects, depending on what stage its used. Im sure Biochar doesnt degrade, it already as maybe not degraded but evolved through the processes @@Jimboo as mentioned to end up as Biochar in the first place. Edited May 2, 2016 by nudger36 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimboo Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) Its a big con mate, its very sustainable, if we dont buy cork the cork farmers will plant something else to farm. Theres loads of info available mate. I love Biochar and personally dont worry about PH, also depends on whats it been charged with. @@nudger36 what % do you use mate? Edited May 2, 2016 by Jimboo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudger36 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) Im pretty sure the cork I use are no set size, one person might love it, one person might not, Ive come across more positives than negatives. Its like what we do on here, some people like certain things, other people like to do some things different, its what makes it great imo. I very much doubt you will ever find a 100% majority for something. Edited May 2, 2016 by nudger36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 @@Jimboo I think the OP was suggesting using it as the aerator? May have misread that, but 2 issues remain. High Ph around 8ish if used in excess and it needs to be pre charged to reduce the N robbing effects from microbes trying to break it down if added uncharged. Once pre-charged then this effect is negated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudger36 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 @@nudger36 what % do you use mate? To be honest @@Jimboo it varies, I should try and work out a proper percentage to use, the guy recommended 5%, the stuff I get is off ebay called Kernow Black, its charged with Molasses, Calcified Shells, Lactobacillus, Seaweed. I have not had one cal/mag issue since using it, must be from what its been charged with, also great for recycling your root balls due to it working for absolute years, I just add some rock dust and now my recycled soil is looking lovely, I use this for my base on my outdoor patch. Great stuff all round 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudger36 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) What about mapito @Ogammi-itto? would that work? just read it now as new organic elements, wonder what they are? the dutch love the stuff! ive been thinking about it and old root riot cubes chopped up. Edited May 2, 2016 by nudger36 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twigs Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 can anybody see any negativity to using willow water to water your plants in veg/flo rather than useing it solely for rooting cuts.? ta 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimboo Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 can anybody see any negativity to using willow water to water your plants in veg/flo rather than useing it solely for rooting cuts.? ta it contains salicylic acid, are you not worried about buggering up you PH ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twigs Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 is their a reason it doesn't effect the ph of a cuttings medium.? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimboo Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 is their a reason it doesn't effect the ph of a cuttings medium.? i thought about that after i posted mate ,and honestly have no answer i was just really throwing it out for comments 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudger36 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) Salicylic acid actually looks good imo, do the cuttings root faster @@twigs? I know it activates the plant immune system, its known as ISR - Induced Systematic Resistance and rejuvenates plants, ,very good if you say wanted to reveg a plant I reckon. Probably all depends on the amount of it, I believe there are fertilizers out there containing it these days, also its the reason why Aspirin is known to help a plant. I would give it a go in veg, might be superb. Edited May 2, 2016 by nudger36 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogami-itto Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 @@nudger36 will check it out, thanks...thinking I may go with perlite this year as i have a load and no point spending £. I'm only a beginner so next year can try something else. A big thanks to everyone on this thread - just got my first tea started...bubbling away nicely in the shed! Pump, etc for £12 from local aquarium - molasses, vermi, seaweed and some root builder. Will use it on all my outdoor stuff going into the greenhouse tomorrow. Also got 2 worm farms going, revitalized a messy old ancient compost heap (where I found an adder!) on my land and got some alfafa seeds sprouting too....'ave it! Lots of fantastic advice and guidance....keep it up! Peace 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudger36 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Shit @@Ogami-itto, was it big one? never seen a snake in the uk ever, oh except a slow worm, i crapped my caks then aswell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty trichomes Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 can anybody see any negativity to using willow water to water your plants in veg/flo rather than useing it solely for rooting cuts.? ta i use willow steep most years ive never had any problems . i only use in veg for the root boost and to help keep the plants imune system up . ive used it for cuts ,but on its own not the best . i rather use it as a tea to boost growth . be lucky . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now