[Terrapreta] [PBwiki] biochar: FrontPage edited

[Michael Bailes]

Currently manufactured
biochar<http://biochar.pbwiki.com/BiocharManufacturers> is
in short supply and is needed for research projects. The alternative is to
purchase charcoal and use it as a biochar substitute.  Cowboy brand hardwood
charcoal <http://www.cowboycharcoal.com/> is available in the United States
in 20 pound bags by the pallet, about 600 pounds, for less than US $
0.7/lb.  For larger amounts, as in a shipping container, consider coconut
shell charcoal<http://buy.ecplaza.net/search/1s1nf20sell/coconut_shell_charcoal.html>,
available for less than US $ 300/mt. Worth repeating: It is normally
advisable to avoid charcoal briquettes because the binders used during
manufacture can add undesirable constituents.


In Australia, no pyrolosis charcaol is available, you can ocassionally buy
"redhead" brand bamboo charcoal from supermarkets, or small bags of
Horticultural Charcoal..Much cheaper is to ask your Charcoal BBQ Chicken
shop for a 20K bag of Mulga charcoal for about $(AUD)30. This will need to
be ground a little in a motar and pestle before use.. It is excellent mixed
in rough chunks in native orchids potting mixes. . It usually has a pH of 6
so can be used on acid loving plants
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