70-100% charcoal as media, any idea?

[my nhan ngu]

Hey guys, how come I've never seen an orchid potted in high amount of charcoal, isn't it not good or something?
Some people said that it will keep the nutrient away from the plant, or it will be very easy to burnt the root when the fertilizer accumulates.

[smartie2000]

Sorry I can't answer your question, but charcoal isn't good for habitat conservation. I heard that most of it is burnt hardwood that can from the rainforest, and the yield after burning is low. I use it sparingly.

[orchid-man]

it has always only been used as a sweetener of the orchid potting mix.As to why its not used in high quantities one would have to concider what it does.I know that its a water purifyer so I would guess that it would absorb that chemicals that are in the water even the ones that are harmfull.

[my nhan ngu]

okie, I got it, thanks

[Mahon]

Personally, I think that charcoal is good for orchids (especially for Cypripedioideae)... I am unsure as to why it is not used as a complete medium, but their is almost no water retainment with charcoal.

Don't forget that charcoal is not the same as burnt wood... charcoal is heated wood with no oxygen, while burnt wood is burned in the air... burnt wood is usually referred to as potash, which is basically Potassium Carbonate (K2CO3)... both have their positives, but have different purposes... =)

-Pat