Charcoal questions

[jeninhk]

Hey everyone,

I have been slowly rescuing many orchids given to me that i now realize have been poorly neglected and "abused" by the previous "orchid collector" (some have even been potted in soil!) anyways I am trying to teach myself about orchids in my attempt...

I have noticed repotting some of the plants she did put some charcoal.. and when i went to the nursery to get repotting supplies the man with poor english helping me (i am in Hong Kong) mentioned charcoal but could not explain to me what to use it for and why.

My questions are.. is charcoal essential? what does it do? I was planning on repotting using orchid rocks and bark mixed together.. should i mix charcoal in with that?
and can you reuse charcoal from the old pots?


thanks everyone!

[BikerDoc5968]

Charcoal is added to orchid mix to adsorb impurities in the water and to help keep the mix open for air circulation... anyway, that's what I have been told.

[Ross]

I use pure charcoal for a few orchids for a couple reasons. While it is true that it removes impurities and gases ffrom water for a few weeks, it is more valuable to me because it doesn't decompose very quickly. It seems to last forever. It holds water sort of, and makes a great stable medium for Tolumnias. I add it in large chunks to my bark mix because it helps keep the medium "open" so that more air gets to the roots. In short, I recommend large chunk charcoal (1-3 cm) be added to all your bark-based mix just to help is last longer in a humid climate. It certainly won't hurt.

[Donald]

Ditto to the Ross post. I use charcoal the same way. As far as it being essential may answer is no.
Good Growing.

[Grandma M]

Ross, I like to use the larger chunk charcoal but have a difficult time finding that size. Would you please give me a source for that size? I also like to use it to stabalize the roots of my vandas but the small pieces fall through the baskets.

Marilyn

[Donald]

This has worked for me. I have used,with no adverse affect,lump charcoal that is used for smoking and grilling. Mind you this has no impurities in it. It is plain old ordinary charcoal that I get a Whole Foods.

[Roy]

My 2 cents worth, Charcoal does exactly what has been stated, remove impurities etc BUT be careful, depending on your feeding regularity and water quality, it can absorb enough impurities ie salts, to become toxic itself. This is indicated by any roots, particularly new, terminating or dying off when they come in contact with it. Flushing does nothing to clean it.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Grandma M

Ross, I like to use the larger chunk charcoal but have a difficult time finding that size. Would you please give me a source for that size? I also like to use it to stabalize the roots of my vandas but the small pieces fall through the baskets.

Marilyn

Orchid Growing Potting Medium from Kelley's Korner Orchid Supplies

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by Donald

This has worked for me. I have used,with no adverse affect,lump charcoal that is used for smoking and grilling. Mind you this has no impurities in it. It is plain old ordinary charcoal that I get a Whole Foods.

Grilling charcoal is fine, just make sure it is pure natural charcoal, no additives, and absolutely do no use charcoal briquets.

[Hedge]

I wish i'd known that two years ago !! I ended up using pet charcoal which is powdered and of course no use as it washes right out again. Thanks for the info, I'll certainly consider it next time adding it is recommended