Charcoal used for grilling has chemicals added to it. You would need to use plain charcoal that can be found in the retile/fish section at pet stores.

See comments under original subject thread (oasis rooting no luck).

Or watch your neighborhood for someone who heats with wood. Charcoal happens in fireplaces and is free.

Well, charcoal and ash - depends on how long you let things burn. :) Don't forget that, if you have a firepit, campfire spot, or some type of fire-safe container, you can have a campfire outdoors and make your own (just watch those winds so you don't catch anything on fire that could get out of control - winds are usually less intense in the evening and at night)... I won't vouch for all counties/state wide, but I know that in Giles Co. you don't have to have a permit for campfires or ritual fires - unlike needing a burn permit during certain times of the year to burn brush, etc. Anyhoo... while we might have some lovely spring-like days here and there as we transition with the seasons, the night temps can be a bit nippy, so we really enjoy campfires this time of year where we can all gather 'round, toast some marshmallows, chicken franks/hot dogs, sink a cast iron dutch oven into coals and embers for a stew, roast and veggies, or even cobblers, etc. and have a good time out in the fresh air conversing and not freezing.... meanwhile the campfires yield charred wood/charcoal for application like this thread, but also ash for potash for the garden or specific plants, and/or lye for those involved with making homemade soap. :) A multipurpose perk for the cooler nights in preparation for gardening and getting in gear for the year....

I'm completely lost. How did we get from talking about charcoal, for a less effective way to root quince, to not needing a permit in Giles Co for ritual fires?

If anyone really wants to experiment with this method for some reason, go to Walmart and buy some activated charcoal in the pet section. It's cleaner, tremendously less trouble, and should work better than charcoal from some kind of ritual fire (baring possible supernatural benefits from the ritual).

Let's see, the forum is TN Gardening. That's why laws within the state would be of consequence in respect to "making" one's own charcoal by burning wood. As far as cleaner and tremendously less trouble - I suppose it all depends on whether or not you're one that tries to insure that what is used with one's "gardening" is truly organic. I haven't yet seen (though I do have aquariums for both critters and plants) activated charcoal that was "certified organic" - it might very well exist, I just haven't seen a brand with that on the label yet. Some people practice wholly organic gardening, others make some effort towards it, while others don't care what it takes as long as they get the results they want or it is made as easy as possible for them.

Now, this is 2 for 2, so brandon7, do me the favour of not touching any of my posts, comments, etc. with a ten foot pole in the future - just do your best to refrain from what might come naturally to you and to you seem utterly benign, while bearing in mind that not everyone sees the world through your eyes. I assure you, it won't kill you to simply ignore my posts entirely. Thank you in advance.

Hermit, although I will generally try to be nice when possible, I will comment on any post I feel like commenting on. Until you become a moderator or something, I doubt you can do much about me making comments.

If you see that I misread your comments (like I did and admitted to doing just a minute ago on the other post), you are welcome to point that out. If I make a mistake, I will be happy to say sorry.

But, as you are free to comment about posts that I make, I am completely free to make comments when you post. It was my opinion that your post was rambling and not at all to the point. I was trying to hint at that without being overly rude. Sorry if you took it wrong.

Oh, and you might should have mentioned the organic aspect of obtaining your own charcoal in your first post. That could have been an important addition to the thread for those interested in growing totally organic and would have explained why it might be better than going with the store-bought activated charcoal.

Those who "think organic" or just try to be resourceful - whether due to budget, not desiring to contribute to further waste or commercialism, etc. wouldn't need a disclaimer. One might have thought that the additional information regarding potash, etc. would have been an indicator of the vein in which the content was provided. As for "ritual", and your not terribly polite commentary on that, it was refreshing to learn that I wasn't alone in finding offense, but two young gentlemen in particular thought I should perhaps comment that "ritual" should not be so narrowly defined and reminded me that the BSA has a ritual bonfire at the close of camp; in their closing ceremony of the several-days-long event(s) that take place there. Nothing "supernatural" about their fire, but ritual/ceremonial nonetheless.

A later thought on type of woods for use, possibly White Willow, though I am not certain if the constituent that is of use in the wood for rooting, would remain present after being heated to the degree required for getting it to "charcoal". Perhaps the addition of White Willow bark to the water or some plain aspirin could be of benefit though. It works with some other botanicals.