Charcoal????

Does anyone add charcoal to your potting soil? and why? and how much?

never heard of that.

I've heard of adding charcoal (like the stuff you get at aquarium stores for filters). Back in the 70's when we were all throwing stoneware pots to put in the macrame plant hangers we made, we'd pot houseplants in anything wether or not it had a drain hole. So, if you have a pot without a drain hole, you put a layer of rocks in the bottom followed by a layer ( thickness of the layer depends on the size of the pot) and then add the potting soil & plant. This arrangement allowed a place for excess water to accumulate besides in the soil around the roots of the plant.

I've also seen charcoal put on the surface of the soil of some potted woodland plants at nurseries in the last few years. Here's a link to an interesting article on the subject:

http://www.paghat.com/charcoal.html

Just read it and learned somethings. Thanks for asking the question.

"Another way to make sure closed-bottomed potted plants get adequate drainage is to line the bottom of the pot with charcoal. Then cover it with a layer of coarse gravel. Next, add potting soil and place the plant. The water will drain through the soil to the gravel and the charcoal layers. Be sure to apply just enough water so that the water level in the gravel layer is not touching the soil. The charcoal will assist in neutralizing or absorbing some noxious gases and other materials from the water."

By: Carol Savonen
Source: Ross Penhallegon



This message was edited Aug 20, 2006 8:45 PM

Herpst Thanks for the thorough link! I always heard it prevented soil from souring. Sometimes I will have a hanging basket that will smell like dirty feet! I had been digging for my supply of perlite and came across a coffee can full of charcoal. That is what made me ask... pod

It sweetens the soil,so that helps with the odor..no stinking feet smell..!!

That's what I was told but not according to the link referenced above.
The following is a quote from same link:

"nor can it be added to potting soils with any serious expectation that it can filter out odors just sitting there. Bacteria live very happily in a soil mixture with charcoal, & whether it stinks or not depends on type of bacteria & overall condition & degree of sterilization of the soil."

does it? or does it not?

I can only assume that it is a good source of carbon for plant growth. I know it neutralizes most toxins, chemicals and over comes chemical mistakes. We use it in veterinary medicine when ever an unknown ingestion of toxin occurs. I always taught my daughter if sick in the woods and can't get help use wood ash to help with GI disturbances.

Hi Soferdig, that is a valid point. You know this has made me wonder as I have had plants which smell like dirty feet. If I repot and added charcoal, they no longer stink. Is it because of the fresh dirt or the charcoal. As you say, it can't hurt as long as it is natural...