Burnt Soil / Earth

[marvin1997]

Hey guys Wanna try burnt soil/earth since I'm buying new neps, wanna get some tips from teh pros to prevent myself from killing the new neps
So far I know:
1. Wash burnt soil before using or it may clog up the pot
2. The black thing in them are charchoal and may not cause any harm
3. They're usually brown and white in colour

Anything else to add?? And where do you guys buy them from?? Do you add any medium into them or just use it without adding anything?
Thanks in advance

[kentosaurs]

Hey Marvin...So far i;ve been using it and its not doing any harm to my plant...Nor can i say its helping..(even if it does i wouldn't know) You got it right when it comes to the colour...The reason i wash the soil is to get smaller and finer pieces out and also to get the dust out...

I use it mainly as a additive to the soil....Now my media for neps is mainly LFS with burnt soil and perlite...I use pure burnt soil for my northiana though...

[marvin1997]

Okay Thanks for that.

[paphioboy]

You don't need to wash it, otherwise it will become MUD. You do have to sieve it.

[paphioboy]

Charcoal is harmless and is a good soil additive. White deposits may be bits of calcium. I use red burnt earth sold for desert rose/ 'fu kui hua'.

[marvin1997]

Originally Posted by paphioboy

You don't need to wash it, otherwise it will become MUD. You do have to sieve it.

Okay. It doesn't turn to mud while watering the plant right?

Originally Posted by paphioboy

Charcoal is harmless and is a good soil additive. White deposits may be bits of calcium. I use red burnt earth sold for desert rose/ 'fu kui hua'.

But they're still okay for neps right?

[paphioboy]

Originally Posted by marvin1997

Okay. It doesn't turn to mud while watering the plant right?

But they're still okay for neps right?

No, it doesn't become mud if you sieve it. The fine particles will cause the medium to be muddy and soggy. Yes, its okay for neps as it doesn't contain much nutrients. Mirabilis and gracilis normally grow in similar soils in the wild in secondary forests...

[marvin1997]

Thanks for the info. I wanna try them with sphagnum moss and peat After you sieve do you still have to add perlite etc into the medium to make it airy?

[simpang1]

i use the burned earth plus coconut husk for my N. northiana. works well, growing basal and start pitchering.

[paphioboy]

I use straight burnt earth. No additions..