Care for orchids in charcoal

[SADE2020]

hahahaha Good question!

The answer I got from my mom is this:

It favors the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms and acts as an effective fungicide. In orchids, its presence has been found to increase the size of leaves and flowers by up to 5%.

Tell him not to confuse natural Carbon with that of the barbecue, which usually has petroleum derivatives to facilitate its combustion and be comfortable on barbecues.


But all this has been said before here in the forum, nothing new, no?

[Ray]

While beneficial microbes can and do predate some pathogens (hence my use of probiotics), carbon is the primary nutrient for all bacteria and fungi, and I know of no reason charcoal would favor beneficial species over pathogenic ones.

[SADE2020]

I agreed with you Ray. I have read some very interesting articles about charcoal in several cultures (not only orchids) and match your explanation.

However, 😊 I think in real life; N=1 is what really counts, no? Lots of people use it and work for them.

BTW, all the plants convert to SH have a bit of charcoal in the reservoir. 🙆

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by SADE2020

hahahaha Good question!

The answer I got from my mom is this:

It favors the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms and acts as an effective fungicide.

I found research papers that support this when charcoal is used as a soil additive to increase aeration. Increased aeration is an effect that also benefits orchid roots. In general, we don't want bacteria and fungi growing in potting media because these organisms break down the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in wood or bark, the process of decay.

Tell him not to confuse natural Carbon with that of the barbecue, which usually has petroleum derivatives to facilitate its combustion and be comfortable on barbecues.

Sound advice. Charcoal should also not be confused with activated carbon, though activated carbon is usually made from charcoal. Charcoal added to potting media doesn't trap significant amounts of undesirable chemicals, whereas activated carbon can.

There are many kinds of activated carbons used to target removal of different chemicals and the chemical additives used to enhance function. If the wrong activated carbon is mixed into potting media, it may absorb needed nutrients/micronutrients. It isn't wise to add activated carbon to potting media unless you know what it was made to absorb.

But all this has been said before here in the forum, nothing new, no?

Probably, but if we never repeated anything said on the forum before there wouldn't be much at all to say.
-Keith

[Fairorchids]

As an experiment, I used charcoal (+/-0.5" size) & LECA nuggets in 1:2 ratio in a wooden basket for a C. intermedia, which is a very forgiving species in terms of growing conditions.

It has been growing in that combination for about 18 months now, and is steadily growing larger. It has doubled in PB height on the main lead, and increased from 3 to about 9 leads.

We fertilize with Peters 20:20:20 every 14 days, but water with clean well water 4 times in-between. No signs of salt build-up or root burn.

9/18//21, adding photos.

[SADE2020]

[QUOTE=K-Sci;968066
Probably, but if we never repeated anything said on the forum before there wouldn't be much at all to say.
-Keith[/QUOTE]

Nothing is more true !!!!!!!!!
Let's keep talking.....