Comments on: Myths of Horticultural Charcoal in Gardening

By: pho

pho — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 04:32:13 +0000

charcoal does absorb salts and nutes and keeps ph in check by absorbing the excess salts and nutes charcoal is neutral never grow without it i promise it helps absorb excess salts alot i used scotts know i am adding aquarium charcoal to my garden today bought it 1 hour before i read this almost forgot that i could not use cooking because of binders and over all low absorption quality

By: Ricky

Ricky — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:09:04 +0000

I have only recently been reading about terra preta and biochar, but if it is mentioned in Acres USA magazine, and it is, you know there is something to it.

Ever heard of magnetizing seeds? Lots of people would call that a myth too, but it is a scientific fact. Placing seeds on top of the North or South pole of a magnet, then planting the seeds, can and will affect the growth and development of the plant. If you want to know more about it look up the Albert Roy Davis Research Laboratory.

By: Jean-Claude

Jean-Claude — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:34:50 +0000

Just to add my two cents; myth #1 is half right, half wrong. On the comparaison, they mention binders. There are binders in hardwood charcoal briquettes but not on lump hardwood charcoal. So if you take briquettes; yes it is a myth. But it isn’t if it’s lump charcol. One has to make sure the lump is not construction or destruction hardwood that may contain stains or preservatives.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:55:06 +0000

Thank you Jackie for correcting the points I have mistaken here thru the extensive research result of some kind of professor. Apparently, I have made some big awful mistake that got me attracted so many horticultural charcoal fans to come and correct my faults in this subject. Yes, this is just unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:16:29 +0000

Myth #3 is also not a myth.

Dr. Guo has stated that, according to his extensive research, “. . .the high stability and porosity make charcoal a better fertilizer than other organic materials.”

This entire website is so woefully full of ignorance. Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:07:23 +0000

Myth #1 is not a myth. According to Dr. MINGXIN GUO, a professor of Agriculture at Delaware State University who has actually conducted research into horticultural charcoal, and has stated that barbecue charcoal, ground up, will work just fine.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:14:03 +0000

Frank, Thanks for your sharing! Actually I did write about the advantages of horticultural charcoal in another post.

By: Frank

Frank — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:01:49 +0000

As Chris mentioned, you missed the boat here. Google biochar, charcoal or terra preta and there’s a mountain of scientific information on the goodness of charcoal, and then retract this bit of misinformation here.

BTW, not all BBQ charcoal are the same. I use regular charcoal (from wood) and not bricquets, which I think you thought of as the same.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:13:39 +0000

Hi Chris,
No, I haven’t read about big investment on biochar and such. Thanks for telling me about it. It would be great if you could share more information you have in this area, as well as the result of the charcoal that you are trying out now.

Cheers!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:39:45 +0000

Er haven’t you read about the billions of pounds they are about to spend making biochar and the info on charcoal in the amazonian soils? I was under the impression that tests had been carried out. I’m trying some now but it is too early to say if it is a failure or success. I am kinda disappointed if it is all a con.