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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><div><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Kobus<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Attached are the trials i did with biochar from rice husks and vermicast. I mixed the two together and filled the containers to become my garden. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Some of the lessons i learned<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>1. vermicast is highly water soluble and quick releasing than compost. Therefore i had to sprinkle a scoop of the vermicast once every week. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>2. The vermi cast - biochar mix need a curing time before it can support the plants. Beneficial microorganisms can help cure the mix. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>3. The earthworms take up a considerable amount of nutrients from the compost to become their body tissues. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>And then do you think we can use the biochar-vermicast mix into the floating gardens? They are much lighter. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Good luck with your project.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>JEd <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>2013/8/11 Kobus Venter <<a href="mailto:ventfory@iafrica.com" target="_blank">ventfory@iafrica.com</a>><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Hi all,<br><br>Hope this is not considered off topic, but if you feel this is a project worth supporting please vote for our concept proposal. I think there are a lot of claims being made about the benefits of biochar to the soil, but only once this can be substantiated with plant trials can we make any kind of claims. If we get the support we hope to get we could end up in the top 3 and qualify for assistance to take the idea further. Please vote to keep us in the running.<br><br>To be able to vote you have to log in, and if you have a Facebook account you can use that login to be able to cast a vote. After logging in you will receive 'smiles' and then clicking on VermiChar and sharing it will earn you more smiles. Use these smiles to cast even more votes for our idea.<br><br>Vote here: <a href="http://www.blog.fnb.co.za/ideas-can-help/view-idea/?id=3231&d=7011807846665" target="_blank">http://www.blog.fnb.co.za/ideas-can-help/view-idea/?id=3231&d=7011807846665</a> <<a href="http://www.blog.fnb.co.za/ideas-can-help/view-idea/?id=3231&d=7011807846665" target="_blank">http://www.blog.fnb.co.za/ideas-can-help/view-idea/?id=3231&d=7011807846665</a>> and share on Social Media.<br><br>Many thanks and comments welcome.<br><br>Regards<br><br>Kobus<br><br>_______________________________________________<br>Stoves mailing list<br><br>to Send a Message to the list, use the email address<br><a href="mailto:stoves@lists.bioenergylists.org" target="_blank">stoves@lists.bioenergylists.org</a><br><br>to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page<br><a href="http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/stoves_lists.bioenergylists.org" target="_blank">http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/stoves_lists.bioenergylists.org</a><br><br>for more Biomass Cooking Stoves, News and Information see our web site:<br><a href="http://stoves.bioenergylists.org/" target="_blank">http://stoves.bioenergylists.org/</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>