Our chunky grade biochar (Orchid Char) is graded between 12mm to 50mm in size and is made right here in Darwin NT from local, uncontaminated green waste. It is a proven medium for growing orchids, or can be further crushed to your preferred size and mixed into soil for added drainage in pots and garden beds.
- 5 litres - $15.00
- 10 litres – $23.00
- Please contact us for bulk quantities.
Preparation:
If required, crush biochar to the desired size first. Activate it by soaking it in a bucket of organic liquid nutrient, or chlorine-free water, until it sinks to the bottom. Drain off the the liquid and your biochar is ready to use! Activated biochar can also be pre-inoculated with microbes by mixing it with fresh compost and letting it sit for 1-2 weeks before application.
Application:
Orchid Medium – Biochar can be used alone as a potting medium, or blended with your preferred inputs for a more complex medium.
Gardens or Pot Plants – Due to its size, chunky biochar may need to be crushed first, depending on the amount of drainage you are trying to achieve. Rake into your garden to a depth of about 5cm at a rate of 1-5L per m2, or mix into your potting mix at a rate of 10% biochar per volume.
What is Biochar:
Biochar is a soil amendment that is created by burning biomass in a low oxygen environment. It’s durable and porous structure is crucial for longer term water and nutrient retention, while at the same time preventing soil compaction and aiding drainage. Most importantly, it brings life back to your soil by providing a highly porous ecosystem for soil microorganisms to inhabit and flourish. Applying biochar has been a method of soil improvement for thousands of years, with the ancient Terra Preta soils of the Amazon Basin being some of the oldest examples of the practice. The benefit of correctly applying biochar to your soil has a cumulative effect on plant health and output, with only one application needed per year.