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Originally Posted by Michaelangelica
There may be a biological component to Terra preta soils. It may contain some unique microorganisms; reseach is away at Cornell Uni on this now.
I thought I would add a little sugar to the mix to see if this encouraged bacterial growth. Probably not a great idea but I have a couple of "control" pots and will see what happens.
... I am not sure what the difference is between "activated" charchol and charchol.Do you?
I have also been researching "horticultural clay". The Terra preta soils were full of pottery shards. Horticultural clay seems to be used mainly in hydroponic systems. It does have a fine porous structure and might provide a good home for bacteria or it might trap fertiliser. I think it could be some sort of catalyst to the whole tera preta dynamic.
Just a few thoughts.
I hope you find this topic as facinating as I do. You must try to see the BBC, TV show on this; it is a facinating archeological detective story.
Hope your plants grow well !
Michael
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First last: The show I mention may be a BBC production, so I may have seen the one you have.
I don't have any info on horticultural clays, but pottery shards if from fired pottery isn't very porous & less so if glazed.
Yes I know what makes 'activated' charcoal different. It is charcoal heated to high temperature in the absence of oxygen. This drives off the volatile elements & leaves more cavities in the carbon. The 'activity' of carbon is adsorption, not to be confused with 'absorption'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adsorption
I did understand from the show that a micro-organism component is suspected but not yet isolated; looking forward to an update on the Cornell research.
Very interesting topic yes.
