Activated Charcoal with Mountain Microorganisms (BIOCHAR)
This is an advanced organic practice as it requires at least having the solid inoculum of Mountain Microorganisms (MMS). However, at the end, I will try to provide other options for those who do not have MMS.
With the final product, you can dispense with vermiculite in the substrate mixtures.
Charcoal is an excellent component for all kinds of substrate mixtures. It has several interesting properties: it helps in soil structuring and humus creation, acts as a thermal regulator in cold places, promotes root expansion, and its microporous structure enhances moisture and nutrient retention. It is said that 1 cubic cm of charcoal can contain 8 to 30 million microorganisms. This practice takes advantage of the moisture and nutrient retention property.
The “activated” charcoal used in water or air filters has a bad reputation among aquarium enthusiasts because it is said to absorb nutrients, mainly nitrogen. This has an explanation and is not a problem for pot cultivation. Dry charcoal tends to absorb moisture and nutrients found in the substrate or waterings because it is very porous and suddenly has to saturate all its micropores, but this will hardly affect cultivation.
In my case, I mix the charcoal with the solid microorganisms and then moisten it with water and molasses to activate the microbiology of the inoculum by giving it the necessary energy. In this way, I have charcoal inoculated with Mountain Microorganisms. Once in the substrate, with moisture, these MM will propagate.
In this case, the charcoal, for the moment, does not capture nutrients because it is saturated, but after a few waterings, it will be the perfect home where microorganisms and nutrients will coexist, offering an extra source of nutrients for the roots to feed during periods of food or moisture scarcity.
I suppose those with commercial bacterial inoculums could use this practice to multiply them.
### BASIC INGREDIENTS:
- Pure water: 500ml
- Charcoal: 750 grams, suitable for use in pots, with small pieces. Normally, charcoal suppliers have small pieces that are too small for commercial bags; this is the ideal material. If not, you can crush the charcoal from barbecue bags.
- Molasses: 75g
- Solid Mountain Microorganisms (MMS): 225g
PROCEDURE:
- Mix the charcoal and solid microorganisms.
- Dissolve the molasses in water.
- Slowly moisten the charcoal, mixing it well because charcoal can store a lot of moisture and needs time to saturate.
- Store in a closed container in the dark for a month.
This is the basic formula; I make some additions…
I add 250g of Leonardite or Humalite, which are plant carbons millions of years old and in the process of becoming a mineral, although they are not yet. They are also the largest source of humic acids and share the properties of charcoal.
I add Activated Mountain Microorganisms (MMA) in liquid form to increase microbiology inoculation, as well as a lacto-ferment of fruits that provides many vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes.
For substrate mixtures, I follow the principle of pre-saturating the charcoal pores and nutrient retention. If you do not have access to microbiology, you could, for example, saturate the charcoal with some mixture of worm humus or fish tea mixed with molasses, which will provide nutrients and microbiology instead of using just water.
Charcoal and leonardite
I add Solid Mountain Microorganisms (MMS)
Solid Mountain Microorganisms (MMS) and Activated in liquid form (MMA), Bio Fertilizer for fruits and water with molasses.
Mix and distribute the moisture, there should be no water accumulation, it is better to drain the excess moisture once the charcoal has been soaked.
Save in the dark
One month after…
Royal Gypsy
Buds or Lead!
Les Fleurs du Mal
Chocolope!
Let me give you a kiss! 
Black Lebanon
