Biochar on the cheap

[Midwest Weedist]

Ash that might remain on char is quite high in pH. That's a factor.

The temp you cook the wood to is another factor. Lower temp pyrolysis is better and retains much of the volatile oil that microbes eat. This type of Char has a + charge initially. Older char, or higher temp char has more of a - charge initially.

If my understanding is correct the negatively charged char will sequester anions correct?
I actually am leaving the ash when I compost it because I have pine trees like crazy and my bin is about 30 percent pine needles. Hopefully it'll help with any acidity.

 

[Midwest Weedist]

Iv only ever just used it in equal parts with sand, compost, vermicastings, and a bit of bokashi.

Catch me up on charging biochar. Is it just soaking the carbons in a teas?

Biochar will rob your soil of nitrogen if it's not allowed to do so in a way before it's mixed with soil. That being said I've mixed raw char into a new mix with a bit more alfalfa/kelp added to compensate, let it cook like normal, and it was perfectly fine.

 

[greasemonkeymann]

Iv only ever just used it in equal parts with sand, compost, vermicastings, and a bit of bokashi.

Catch me up on charging biochar. Is it just soaking the carbons in a teas?

yea, essentially the charcoal is charged to absorb almost everything naturally, hence its usage in so many applications, from cleaning the air, to the water, and all sorts of shit in between, but with that attribute, it'll sequester a shit-ton of nitrogen from your soil if left un"filled", so they act sorta like sponges, but if you fill those sponges with nitrogen, they not only act like an awesome microbial hotel, but also a slow leach of nitrogen back into the soil.
very cool.
but rinse first.
here is a cool pic of biochar under a microscope

I always imagine that chock-full of little microbial beasties

 

[Rrog]

If my understanding is correct the negatively charged char will sequester anions correct?
I actually am leaving the ash when I compost it because I have pine trees like crazy and my bin is about 30 percent pine needles. Hopefully it'll help with any acidity.

The fresh char will hold Anions, yes. A big deal considering how easily they are often flushed from soil. The biochar becomes part of the Anion Exchange Capacity of the soil, right alongside Soluble Organic Material. The Biochar becomes great slow release N source

 

[greasemonkeymann]

If my understanding is correct the negatively charged char will sequester anions correct?
I actually am leaving the ash when I compost it because I have pine trees like crazy and my bin is about 30 percent pine needles. Hopefully it'll help with any acidity.

what kind of pine needles man?
I've done two compost piles with needles, but only the redwood kind, those aren't nearly as "waxy" as the others.
but they came out perfectly neutral, after composting, the needles are so far gone that they are nothing but humus, perfect little ph neutral humus.
and I had probably 50% of my initial pile as redwood needles.
the fallen kind, NOT the green kind, I imagine the green ones would have more sap in them, they smell MUCH stronger than the fallen brown ones do.
if they are the waxy kinds I imagine a lacto tea/application would be handy, certainly couldn't hurt.. layer in some whole wheat flour, or what not too

 

[Midwest Weedist]

what kind of pine needles man?
I've done two compost piles with needles, but only the redwood kind, those aren't nearly as "waxy" as the others.
but they came out perfectly neutral, after composting, the needles are so far gone that they are nothing but humus, perfect little ph neutral humus.
and I had probably 50% of my initial pile as redwood needles.
the fallen kind, NOT the green kind, I imagine the green ones would have more sap in them, they smell MUCH stronger than the fallen brown ones do.
if they are the waxy kinds I imagine a lacto tea/application would be handy, certainly couldn't hurt.. layer in some whole wheat flour, or what not too

I'd have to find out what species. But they are really sticky and resinous, even dead. So I would assume it's relatively acidic. The soil under neath them is acidic to the point that most plants won't grow. And that says a lot because I'm on old farm land that's mostly washed out, compacted clay and alkaline as shit. It mixes with peat moss to a perfect 7ish ph. I toss mostly what gets sucked up in my mower which seems to be about half needles to a quarter depending on where in my yard.

 

[Midwest Weedist]

The fresh char will hold Anions, yes. A big deal considering how easily they are often flushed from soil. The biochar becomes part of the Anion Exchange Capacity of the soil, right alongside Soluble Organic Material. The Biochar becomes great slow release N source

Ahh so I did have it right in my head! Thank you

 

[greasemonkeymann]

I'd have to find out what species. But they are really sticky and resinous, even dead. So I would assume it's relatively acidic. The soil under neath them is acidic to the point that most plants won't grow. And that says a lot because I'm on old farm land that's mostly washed out, compacted clay and alkaline as shit. It mixes with peat moss to a perfect 7ish ph. I toss mostly what gets sucked up in my mower which seems to be about half needles to a quarter depending on where in my yard.

hmmm... I cant remember where I first read this, but isn't there a species of pine needles that is essentially poisonous to other plants?
let me do some research...
honestly i'd be a lil apprehensive using anything that sticky/resinous.
but who knows, maybe it'll work perfect?

 

[iHearAll]

Familar anyone?

 

[Midwest Weedist]

hmmm... I cant remember where I first read this, but isn't there a species of pine needles that is essentially poisonous to other plants?
let me do some research...
honestly i'd be a lil apprehensive using anything that sticky/resinous.
but who knows, maybe it'll work perfect?

Perhaps, but I'd gather these aren't of that species because my hostas don't seem to mind much.