Quote:
Originally Posted by roaldgold
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Vermiculite has high CEC and water-retention properties and should promote the growth of plants very well. It's used in a lot of mixes and to amend soil. But it's drawback is that it tends to degrade after several months to a year to a clay goo, and this can cause a deterioration in soil structure, texture, and porosity. Peat moss is similar, in that it has high CEC, good water-holding abilities, etc. but degrades after a few months. It is superb for sprouting seeds, though. If you use more granulated or chunky biochar, that might not be a problem, as it will help with structure and air. Perlite usually doesn't degrade for years, so that's why it's used often in potting mixes and hydroponics.
I think since you doped the charcoal before hand, it should be loaded and ready to go. I would probably add some rock dust to make sure mineral and inorganic nutrient needs are met or more sturdy organic material, like shredded bark, to maintain soil structure and to provide material for humus. Biochar mixes usually get better with age, as the media develops more complexity and soil microbes increase.
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Logic
The art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and incapacities of the human misunderstanding.
--Ambrose Bierce,
The Devil's Dictionary
my TP experiment
