[Terrapreta] char in soil test -- from Len

[Len Walde]

I second this suggestion. In one  of my readings on research by people  from Cornell, it was suggested that 1/3 charcoal was about the % found in the Amazon terra preta.

This is  the guideline I am going to try in my modified "Dutch bucket" hydroponic system. I would like to see John use that % in some of his test pots too. I raise  tomato, bell peppers, cucumbers, for home consumption, and mostly brassicas for research purposes, that way. I plan on keeping notes on variations in soil mix to see if there are discernable differences, i.e. adding zeolite, alfalfa meal, bran, rice hulls, etc etc. and some 100 % organic vs. chemical based fertilization.  

Good luck, 

Len Walde, P.E.  

               Sigma Energy Engineering, Inc.
Creative Problem Solving & Process Engineering
Serving Agriculture, Mining, Industry & Commerce
             through "Symbiotic Recycling" tm
                        Est. 1985

      Ph:  925-254-7633
      E-mail: sigma at ix.netcom.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron Larson 
  To: John G. Flottvik ; Sean K. Barry ; terrapreta at bioenergylists.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 8:50 AM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] char in soil test


  John:  If you have a few more pots still available,  I'd like to hear how roughly 5, 10, and 20% char (alone, by weight) added to the old garden soil work out.  Sean has asked for equal fertilization afterwards - so maybe I can double my order and ask for 3 without any extra fertilization.  I am trying here to get closer to what might happen to those unaware of your products.

      As a slight modification to Sean's recommendation on watering - how about measuring carefully the amount of water going to pot #1 - and then duplicating that on all the ohers?

      Thanks for doing these tests.

  Ron

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: John G. Flottvik 
    To: Sean K. Barry ; terrapreta at bioenergylists.org 
    Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 9:02 AM
    Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] char in soil test


    Morning Sean. 

    Thanks for all the advice which I will follow. Regarding the "fertilize" comment, some of the pots have char/cow mix (JF BioCarbon) in them which I belive will act as a natural organic fertilizer. In any case I have 6 different combinations of soils and if list members have other combinations in mind I will be happy to add some more pots. This will have to be done today though. 

    John 

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Sean K. Barry <mailto:sean.barry at juno.com> 

    To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> ; John G. Flottvik <mailto:jovick at shaw.ca> 

    Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 9:54 PM 

    Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] char in soil test 

    Hi John, 

    Thanks for outlining your plan for us. It looks like a pretty good plan. I like that you are using two controls (100% Lite Way and 100% garden soil). Hopefully you will fertilize some and provide the exact same dose to everything. Also keep these pots and soil for another test next season. 

    Make sure the pots have a hole in the bottom of them. Proper watering is to water them just until water starts to drip out the bottom, then stop. This way the soil will not get too wet and potentially leach any nutrients out the bottom. You may not apply the same volume of water when you water them all the same way (this might change depending on which plant and how much water it uses). Just pour in room temp water gently until water starts to drip out the bottom. The soil in each pot will contain about them same moisture content that way (and there is neither under-watering or over-watering). 

    Good luck and take lots of pictures. 

    Regards, 

    Sean K. Barry

    Principal Engineer/Owner

    Troposphere Energy, LLC

    11170 142nd St. N.

    Stillwater, MN 55082

    (651) 351-0711 (Home/Fax)

    (651) 285-0904 (Cell)

    sean.barry at juno.com <mailto:sean.barry at juno.com> 

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: John G. Flottvik <mailto:jovick at shaw.ca> 

    To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 

    Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 2:03 PM 

    Subject: [Terrapreta] char in soil test 

    Tom & list. 

    Starting my Charcoal in soil test today the 16th day of April 2007 using JF BioCarbon soil enhancement product. 

    I will have 6 numbered pots 1 to 6. I will have six sets of 6 pots so I can plant six different samples. 

    Pot #1- Bought topsoil which contains, black earth; Sphagnum peat moss; Limestone. Brand name Lite Way. 

    Pot# 2- 50 % Lite Way & 50 % powder softwood charcoal 

    Pot # 3- 50 % Lite Way & 50 % JF BioCarbon soil enhancement 

    Pot # 4- 75 % Lite Way & 25 % JF BioCarbon 

    Pot # 5- 100 % real dirt from an old garden 

    Pot # 6- 50 % real garden dirt % 50 % JF BioEnergy product. 

    I will plant some vegetables, corn and plants to try for a wide array of results. I will also cover with clear plastic to keep unwanted rain water from drowning the project. Will hand water all pots equal. 

    Progress photos and comments will be shared with our list members. Please note that I am not a soil scientist, or a Gardner but will do the best I can and keep an accurate record of my experiment. To end, pots 5 & 6 will be of most interest as real dirt is used. 

    Regards 

    John Flottvik 

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