[Terrapreta] -- Using wet charcoal in hydroponic systems

[Len Walde]

My greenhouse is outfitted with 30 modified " Dutch Buckets" each of which 
consists of a 5 Gal. HDPE bucket with a 4 Gal. HDPE plant can inside 
containing  a mix of 33 % charcoal,  a  33% mix of peat and oak leaf 
compost, 33% commerical compost/planting mix. This is the growing medium. 
Each bucket is top-fed with a recirculating neutrient  solution on a timer. 
The outer bucket back drains to the solution tank. The growing medium is 
always wet and provides all of the neutrients to the roots of the plants. 
This coming season I will try some buckets with 50% charcoal and 50% 
commercial compost/planting mix to compare production.    Also some with 50% 
charcoal, 25% zeolite and 25% commercial, to reduce buy-out costs and for 
comparison. I make my own charcoal in my airtight stove as Bay Area air regs 
discourage the crude systems.

Happy New Year to all.

Len Walde, P.E.










 Message ----- 
From: Sean K. Barry
To: Terra Preta ; Greg and April
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2007 13:07
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Marketing comment for TP. (was volatile 
matterandchar)


Hi Greg, Gerrit,

I see you mentioning rock wool and coir as wetting mediums in hydroponic 
growing.  Michael J. Antal mentioned once that Orchids are grown in Hawaii 
in strictly black carbon charcoal.  Has charcoal ever been used as the 
wetting medium in hydroponic growing?  Is anyone doing experiments trying 
it?

Regards,

SKB



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