Terra Preta (ancient biochar)

The Google machine yields multiple results for “making your own biochar for soil”.
Seems easy enough, lol.

As with anything on the web, I’d take it with a grain of salt. :face_with_monocle::stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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It’s not quite biochar, but on my 7g & 15g fabric pots I put a generous scoop of coals and ash from our wood stove, and I notice the springtails in /on the coals a lot. The beneficial mite population also seems to be doing especially well, but I don’t have a control group. :slight_smile:

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5-10% by volume is what I’ve heard on multiple podcasts. I can’t say as I’ve noticed much of a difference… in coco. I also reapply microbes once a week so the microbes will be there whether or not they move into the high rises. As an amendment to soil I can see its benefit. Kick start the microbe population especially in a new mix.

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I added a bunch to my worm bins. I guess that is prolly the best way to use it. Let it sit in the worm bin for 3 months or so and then incorporate the castings with the biochar…

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I will do a side by side experiment with 10%… the one i got seem to be already preloaded

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Biochar can be incorporated into the soil during preparation or used as a cover. The more porous the wood used, the better. Around here, I’ve been using biochar made from bamboo, which is naturally very porous! To charge it, you can use a good solution with microorganisms. Here, I mix it with humus in the compost bin and leave it there!

:metal:t3:

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You can use 20%.

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Yes I’ve read this in a tutorial on how to make biochar

I’ve not made it or used it
But some people swear by it
But
The same was said about mushroom compost

I know foop sell it as well

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Everybody may be shocked if they knew the average ash/char content of commercial compost.
I have soil test results that reflect the industry standard but would be interested to know what people would guess it is…

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There’s a product I really like to use here… It’s a mixture of biochar enriched with fish amino acids, cane molasses, and peat… It’s made by a company that crafts its products in an artisanal way!!!
They also have other excellent products…

images (3)

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I’m looking for Amazon sources Terra preta.

The activated -
ACTUAL STUFF.

NOT HOMEMADE.

The REAL Terra Preta.

It is the microbiome in it that is the key.

The actual stuff is no comparison,
Innoculate your soil = better soil than every kinda stuff under the sun.

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I think it would be best if its left untouched. Also they are acclimated to that climate not yours.

For anyone that wants do dig a little deeper.
Diplomarbeit_Bernhard_Hofbauer_Kompost_auf_dem_Weg_zur_Terra_Preta.pdf (2.5 MB)

The conclusion is basically that you can get a microbiome that is pretty similar to the real terra preta if you compost with added biochar and rock dust.

They had the best result with 10% rock dust and 20% biochar per volume of compost.

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I have done that and had nutrient lockout issues because biochar raises the ph. I have added some sulphur to mitigate that but i will probably still have to dilute the soil a little bit next season.
For my soil it honestly was not the best idea because my heavy clay soil already holds much water.

He thinks that “activated carbon” is too aggressive for the soil. I don’t really know the reasoning behind that. He also said in another video that using mineral rich material like compost sift would be more important than having a bigger surface area.