Interesting experiment.
I wonder if the charcoal had a light dose of liquid fertiliser this would make any difference? There may not have been enough aeration of the roots either with fine charcoal?
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Eprida's Ecoss fertilizer would seem to address this problem.
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No where does anyone suggest that charcoal should replace fertiliser. Fertiliser and organic matter, including fish, seem all part of the mix.
They do say that fertiliser requirements are reduced in year(s?) following amendment and water use is decreased by up to 17%
Charcoal is
not going to tie up N ! wood and sawdust do
and where does the ash come in? Wood ash is a different ball-game altogether.
Microbial communities are going to be best served by organic matter and organic fertilisers.
So what the hell is Dr Hodges on about? Was he awake during the lecture?
Ii have used Osmocote and other time release fertilisers in a nursey situation. I liked them because they mimicked natural fertilisers and remained in the pot and so did not pollute local rivers etc. They fed the plant for some time after leaving the nursery and so the plants survived New Gardeners well.
I imagine the beauty of charcoal is that it would stop fertiliser run-off if you used liquid fertilisers (?)
On a personal note I have finally found a charcoal manufacturer (hardwood too!) up the coast. The bad news is that it will cost me as much in postage as the charcoal
