Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? - Page 3

Botanical_Bryce · 01-22-2016, 03:51 PM

I bring home 4 to eight yards of fine mulch per week and treat it with mykos. I have use almost no chemical fertilizers but some I do. I get results either way. When the mulch decomps it seems to pack. The charcoal seems to keep it light and fluffy. I wish I could access mushroom compost.

Natureboy · 01-22-2016, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

I wish I could access mushroom compost.

Bryce, you CAN! Why don't you pick some up from Monterey Mushrooms in Zellwood next time you're over in that area? Sometimes it's free, sometimes they charge you $10 a yard. I bring a 4x8x3 trailer over there and load up a few times a year.

Orlando Facility | Monterey Mushrooms

You could stop by when you go to Green's Nursery next month - it's right down the street!

Botanical_Bryce · 01-22-2016, 04:22 PM

Wow! All i can say.

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 01-22-2016, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natureboy

Getting back to the inputs of "grass clippings, coffee grinds and such" and speaking only of experience growing bananas in FL, I can testify to the benefits of adding organic material in general to the soil. Richard seems to be keen on chemical fertilizers - and that's fine. I would just like to try to achieve the same or better results without them.

In my experience, *in Florida*, best results have been with moderate doses of Espoma (Holly or Citrus), fine mulch, coffee grounds, wood ash, and bi-annual thick applications of mushroom compost. Over the past couple years, I've found mushroom compost to be the key for me. It loosens up the soil and attracts huge amounts of earthworms. 200 fingers on my latest Namwah is enough direct evidence for me. Before using mushroom compost, I may have topped out at 120.

How about some pics?

Natureboy · 01-22-2016, 09:35 PM

For some reason, I can't upload photos anymore, regardless of file size. It even says they've uploaded successfully, but they never appear in my photo area. Anyway, I used a different route and here are some pics. OK, I exaggerated a bit - there were actually 192 fingers...

View image: IMG 20160108 083441564

View image: IMG 20160108 083035300

View image: IMG 20160108 145011068

Botanical_Bryce · 01-22-2016, 09:50 PM

Are those old pictures or did you not freeze?

Kat2 · 01-22-2016, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

Are those old pictures or did you not freeze?

No freeze here. Lowest since 12/10 has been 41; 37 maybe tonight.

Richard · 01-23-2016, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natureboy

... Over the past couple years, I've found mushroom compost to be the key for me. ...

Mushroom compost is high in nutrient density of N-P-K in comparison with leaf or grass mulch. Where available in bulk it can be a cost effective alternative to nutrient concentrates - esp. in comparison to neglible inputs. I use 15 cu. yards of it a year as a side dressing in my 1/4 acre orchard and planter beds.

There are produce farmers in my area who use mushroom compost as their sole nutrient input for cauliflower, broccoli, etc. They till it in about 2 feet deep with a tractor prior to each planting. The results are spectacular. Of course there's a huge mushroom farm in the area that outputs a couple hundred yards of free compost per week.

PR-Giants · 01-23-2016, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natureboy

Getting back to the inputs of "grass clippings, coffee grinds and such" ...

Richard seems to be keen on chemical fertilizers

I would just like to try to achieve the same or better results without them.

It's easy to get better results and the fruit tastes a whole lot better.

I get amazing results using compost tea made from grass clippings, biochar and some top mulch.

Never used chemical fertilizers.

Natureboy · 01-23-2016, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

Are those old pictures or did you not freeze?

The pics are from about 2 weeks ago. Lowest temps will be tonight - around 37. I was harvesting individual hands for a couple weeks, but finally cut the whole bunch off yesterday, as we are getting too much consistent cold for continued growth/ripening.

cincinnana · 02-04-2016, 09:10 PM

Biochar.. produced this massive bunch....73 grams......

Charcoal is a great soilless or soil additive.
I like mine small curd.

Orinoco....or poser
by
Hostafarian, on Flickr

.

Untitled
by
Hostafarian, on Flickr

.

Al's gritty mix with charcoal
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

Botanical_Bryce · 02-05-2016, 02:42 AM

Some of my first corms popping are the ones planted in pure chunks of biochar.

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 02-05-2016, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

Some of my first corms popping are the ones planted in pure chunks of biochar.

In Reply to your Post Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme?:

Do you have any pics of your project? Did you leave them in the bio or replant in something else? I am thinking of starting off this spring by trying to get my bare rooted plants started rooting in some media and then planting in the ground from there. Thanks

PR-Giants · 02-05-2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.hulva@coxinet.net

I am thinking of starting off this spring by trying to get my bare rooted plants started rooting in some media and then planting in the ground from there. Thanks

I've been doing that for a while, just planted another beautiful Manini a few minutes ago. The roots grow quickly in a very loose medium and to make transplanting less stressful I remove the bottom of the pot, put the whole thing in the ground and then lift the outer part of the pot over the leaves.

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 02-05-2016, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR-Giants

I've been doing that for a while, just planted another beautiful Manini a few minutes ago. The roots grow quickly in a very loose medium and to make transplanting less stressful I remove the bottom of the pot, put the whole thing in the ground and then lift the outer part of the pot over the leaves.

Good idea with the pot process. I'll give it a try.

HMelendez · 02-06-2016, 11:32 AM

I have been using biochar with all my bananas and plantains......

Latest examples.....

Trans-planting my PR Verdin Banana on 01/10/2016

Trans-planting my PR Morado banana on 01/10/2016.....

PR Morado banana and PR Verdin banana (Guineo Blanco).....

From left to right: PR Cuerno De Alce (ARH) Plantain, PR Morado banana and PR Verdin banana (Guineo Blanco).....

cincinnana · 02-06-2016, 08:17 PM

[quote=HMelendez;268459]I have been using biochar with all my bananas and plantains......

I like mine small curd..........mixed well in the soil with a tiller....
You do mix the small

chunks in the soil ..........yes.

cincinnana · 02-06-2016, 08:57 PM

All of the photos on the org depict charcoal on the top of the soil....

I hope is for pictures only......because on the top of the soil is useless

Botanical_Bryce · 02-06-2016, 09:27 PM

I use it on and in the soil. I just throw it on because at some point it will get churned in anyway. I preffer to put it in the bottoms of my planting holes. Just started planting in nothing but charcoal to see what happens. I notice those plants are giving early growth.

cincinnana · 02-07-2016, 07:48 AM

Lump Charcoal is on sale now at Sams Club, Publix and Kroger

I have to purchase some more....7 bucks a bag.

Biochar/Charcoal
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

01-22-2016, 03:51 PM	#41 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 96,200 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? I bring home 4 to eight yards of fine mulch per week and treat it with mykos. I have use almost no chemical fertilizers but some I do. I get results either way. When the mulch decomps it seems to pack. The charcoal seems to keep it light and fluffy. I wish I could access mushroom compost.

01-22-2016, 04:22 PM	#43 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 96,200 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? Wow! All i can say.

01-22-2016, 09:35 PM	#45 (permalink)
Natureboy Natureboy's Photo Gallery Location: Titusville, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 58,093 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 124 Times Was Thanked 138 Times in 59 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? For some reason, I can't upload photos anymore, regardless of file size. It even says they've uploaded successfully, but they never appear in my photo area. Anyway, I used a different route and here are some pics. OK, I exaggerated a bit - there were actually 192 fingers... View image: IMG 20160108 083441564 View image: IMG 20160108 083035300 View image: IMG 20160108 145011068 __________________ Praying hands: a good way to thank God and a darn good banana, too! Current varieties: Dwarf Namwah, FHIA-03 (Sweetheart), White Iholena, Maoli, Orinoco, Manzano (Apple), Praying Hands, Dwarf Brazilian, Pisang Raja, Rajapuri, Ice Cream (Blue Java), FHIA-01 (Goldfinger), Kandarian Last edited by Natureboy : 01-22-2016 at 09:39 PM.

01-22-2016, 09:50 PM	#46 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 96,200 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? Are those old pictures or did you not freeze?

02-04-2016, 09:10 PM	#51 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,882 BananaBucks : 420 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,917 Times Was Thanked 11,791 Times in 4,916 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,959 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? Biochar.. produced this massive bunch....73 grams...... Charcoal is a great soilless or soil additive. I like mine small curd. Orinoco....or poser by Hostafarian, on Flickr . Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr . Al's gritty mix with charcoal by Hostafarian, on Flickr __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴 Last edited by cincinnana : 02-13-2016 at 05:03 PM.

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

02-05-2016, 02:42 AM	#52 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 96,200 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? Some of my first corms popping are the ones planted in pure chunks of biochar.

02-06-2016, 11:32 AM	#56 (permalink)
HMelendez The Banana Gang Enforcer Zone: 10B-11 Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 2,750 BananaBucks : 222,905 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 11,094 Times Was Thanked 5,279 Times in 1,618 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 737 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? I have been using biochar with all my bananas and plantains...... Latest examples..... Trans-planting my PR Verdin Banana on 01/10/2016 Trans-planting my PR Morado banana on 01/10/2016..... PR Morado banana and PR Verdin banana (Guineo Blanco)..... From left to right: PR Cuerno De Alce (ARH) Plantain, PR Morado banana and PR Verdin banana (Guineo Blanco)..... __________________ HMelendez Photo Gallery

02-06-2016, 08:17 PM	#57 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,882 BananaBucks : 420 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,917 Times Was Thanked 11,791 Times in 4,916 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,959 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? [quote=HMelendez;268459]I have been using biochar with all my bananas and plantains...... I like mine small curd..........mixed well in the soil with a tiller.... You do mix the small chunks in the soil ..........yes. __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴 Last edited by cincinnana : 02-06-2016 at 08:56 PM.

02-06-2016, 08:57 PM	#58 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,882 BananaBucks : 420 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,917 Times Was Thanked 11,791 Times in 4,916 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,959 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? All of the photos on the org depict charcoal on the top of the soil.... I hope is for pictures only......because on the top of the soil is useless __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴

02-06-2016, 09:27 PM	#59 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 96,200 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? I use it on and in the soil. I just throw it on because at some point it will get churned in anyway. I preffer to put it in the bottoms of my planting holes. Just started planting in nothing but charcoal to see what happens. I notice those plants are giving early growth.

02-07-2016, 07:48 AM	#60 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,882 BananaBucks : 420 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,917 Times Was Thanked 11,791 Times in 4,916 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,959 Times	Re: Biochar: Black Gold or Just Another Snake Oil Scheme? Lump Charcoal is on sale now at Sams Club, Publix and Kroger I have to purchase some more....7 bucks a bag. Biochar/Charcoal by Hostafarian, on Flickr __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 members and 2 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY Biochar	sunfish	Banana Plant Soil, Additives, and Fertilizer	59	01-11-2023 07:15 AM
Hawaii Biochar	PR-Giants	Banana Plant Soil, Additives, and Fertilizer	7	06-07-2014 08:45 AM
Biochar;Husbandry of New Orders & Updates	erich	Main Banana Discussion	20	02-13-2014 01:18 AM
biochar	damaclese	Banana Plant Soil, Additives, and Fertilizer	127	01-15-2013 12:42 PM
Question: Why is my Calif Gold spear Black?	bencelest	Main Banana Discussion	11	04-01-2008 08:54 AM