Quote:
Originally Posted by dch53
- 1 part horticultural charcoal (not the same as charcoal for barbecues). Note: This ingredient is extremely important as it neutralizes fertilizer salts.
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That, unfortunately, is misinformation.
Charcoal does not "neutralize" anything, as that requires a chemical reaction. At best, it adsorbs ions from the solution, trapping them, but that (sort of a quasi chemical reaction) is limited, as a reasonable level of adsorption requires the charcoal to be activated, and horticultural charcoal has not been treated enough to create sufficient activated sites.
Charcoal, being porous, does absorb liquids, and upon drying, the dissolved solids will precipitate in the pore structure. Unfortunately, as that wetting/absorbing/drying/precipitating process is repeated, the salt buildup becomes more extensive, becoming toxic over time.
The primary function of charcoal in the mix is to maintain airiness longer, as it doesn't decompose as rapidly as bark, moss, etc.
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