[Stoves] Fwd: [biochar] Used Tractors ...biochar on homestead

[rongretlarson at comcast.net]

Stovers (cc Su Ba) 

I goofed on this address , 

Ron 

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: rongretlarson at comcast.net 
To: "Su Ba" <kaufarmer at yahoo.com>, biochar at yahoogroups.com 
Cc: "Discussion of biomass" <stoves at listserv.repp.org> 
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 6:23:06 PM 
Subject: Re: [biochar] Used Tractors ...biochar on homestead 


Su Ba and biochar list (and adding "stoves") 

I am impressed. Thanks for the (very complete) report. Very nice to hear there were no problems. 

Could you describe a bit more technical details about your TLUDS? First use when? Homemade? Presumably made of tin cans? Sizes? Any insulation? Any preheating of any air? If controlling primary air - how? How many uses before wearing/burning out? Etc. 

Ron 



----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Su Ba" <kaufarmer at yahoo.com> 
To: biochar at yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 4:07:48 PM 
Subject: Re: [biochar] Used Tractors ...biochar on homestead 







Ron, I cannot give you the type of answer you are hoping for. I produce food, not run experiments using various percentages of char, different formulations, and using controls. In addition, I use a number of soil amendments including char, mulch, compost, crushed bone, crushed coral, lava dust, and generally any animal and green waste that comes available. None of my field is amended by biochar alone. I also make and use foliar sprays when plants show need. 


Having said that, I saw visible improvement in the areas that I started using biochar. The plants were visibly more lush and withstood dry conditions better. My own reasons for adding biochar is that it tends to even out the soil moisture retention capabilities of the soil. The areas that became boggy now drain better. The areas that moisture levels fluctuated wildly now tend to flatten out somewhat, staying much more evenly moist. In my own situation, I found that leaving the char chunky ( 1/4 to 1 inch) works just fine. 


I had noticed that plants looked more lush when planted into ground that had a fresh application of char. Thus it is now my routine to till in a light application prior to each new planting. 


The char I produce is made with a homemade TLUD stove adapted for cooking. I created a series of them in a line so that I can move from one to the next in order to cook for more than 40 minutes at a time when needed. 


I use tree waste as fuel. Twigs and branches that I put through the s hredder. I mostly burn ohia, eucalyptus, and coconut husks. But any tree trimming are used when available. 


When I started using char, I use to quench the coals in water. Just recently I changed to using using urine, and when that is not available, then fermented fish waste. I cannot say yet if that has made a visible difference in the crops. But it hasn't appeared to be hurting them. 


Negatives? It takes time. I have to gather and shred the fuel. But a benefit is that I do not have to 
purchase much propane. Another negative is that my TLUD stoves burn out, so I need to improve the design and materials. I do not grind the char, so I don't have the dust problem that others talk about. I have not noticed any negative effectives on the crops themselves. 


I hope this information helps you. 


...Su Ba 









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