I decided not to use it because I wen't back to get some as a test and i read the bag and found it contains compost, hummus and "local forest products".

Not that anyone cares...

Late to your party, but biochar or charcoal doesn't do much for container media that perlite wouldn't do about equally well.

Al

Tharnks Al.

And BTW, I've been meaning to thank you for "Container Soils - Water Movement & Retention", and all the Q's you answer on the subject!

About 4 or 5 years ago, before I read it, I killed all but the most hardy plants, and even then, they looked terrible. I was ready to give up!

I now have 3 gorgeous dwarf Japanese Maples in gritty mix containers, and a nice collection of container plants in 5-1-1 that attract LOTS of Hummingbirds.

I absolutely love container gardening! I frequently get compliments and get asked for advice from long-time gardeners. I point them here and tell them to read CS_WM&R! I am starting to collect dwarf and miniature Japanese Maples and your information and instruction have been irreplaceable in my success and enjoyment as a great container gardener. If you are ever in the Harrisburg, PA area, I'll buy you a beer!

Thank You!

Harrisburg, huh? I was there at this time of year 2 years ago for the Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Show. I'm heading that way again next week, but unfortunately, it's in East Hanover, NJ; otherwise I'd take you up on it. I found a super little Italian place in a small neighboring community downtown I'd really like to visit again. I'm sure the show will eventually get back around to Harrisburg, though.

Don't be so anxious to give so much credit away. All I do is put information within easy reach - YOU did all the heavy lifting, and deserve the lion's share of the credit. Still, feeling like a part of someone else's success story is immensely rewarding, so thank you VERY much for your kind words.

I have a really big box of charcoal a guy sent me a few years because he wanted me to try it - it was supposed to have some special properties. The neat part was, he screened it so I could use it in the gritty mix. I substituted it for the bark fraction in a few pots, just to see what the noise was about. The plants fared no better, no worse, so it would substitute for bark on a size for size basis, too, though I'm not sure about using it as more than 1/3-1/2 of a mix - didn't go beyond 1/3 in the 1:1:1 gritty mix.

I keep thinking about what you said above. I think the neatest part is the spread between "I was ready to give up" and "I absolutely love container gardening! I frequently get compliments and get asked for advice from long-time gardeners .......". Everyone with a genuine desire to see their gardening counterparts succeed couldn't help but be warmed by knowing the efforts you made to bring your proficiency up to a level you're pleased with bore fruit.

Take good care and have a great growing season.

Al