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Smithson

Member Since 2006-01-04
Offline Last Active 2012-05-27 11:21

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Posts I've Made

In Topic: Green manures, cover crops and nitrogen fixing trees

2012-05-26 08:10:01

Ford, glad to hear you were able to get the Sunn Hemp seeds. After spending a lot of time calling variuos govt depts, we were finally told that we would have seeds around the end of the month - that was in March. Since then we've been given variuos excuses and always told they would call in a few weeks when the seeds come in. I've now given up.

What I've been told by lots of Thais is don't bother with the seed (and other organic) schemes, as most stuff goes to people in the know rather than poor farmers. Considering innoculants aren't available, you really have to question how seriuos the govt is.

In Topic: Burnt Rice Hulls

2012-05-16 20:15:41

From what I've read and my own rough testing, rice husk biochar has a ph of 8-9, making it excellent for acidic soils, particularly sandy soils.

Before I realized how alkaline it was, i added quiet a lot to putting mixes, along with compost, aged manure and rice husk. I think thevph is probably to high. Does anyone know if the alkalinity will drop over time?

In Topic: Burnt Rice Hulls

2012-04-16 06:14:43

You could also Google gek gasifier, these units produce electricity. There are open source plans and forums for those wishing to make their own.

In Topic: Burnt Rice Hulls

2012-04-13 17:20:10

Yesterday we did three loads of scrap bamboo in the gasifier, the locals were pretty surprised because making charcoal for them usually means lots of work and smoke. We used a drop saw to cut small peices, but a chipper would be ideal.

Would be nice to make a unit that was also an oven for cocking pizzas and roast.

I have seen pics of the aiit gasifier. There is also one that fits on a pallet and generates electricity. This is open source, so plans should be available.

My Bil told me in Kalasin a six wheeler of biochar (rom rice husks or sugar cane) is only B800.

In Topic: Burnt Rice Hulls

2012-04-11 20:06:43

Regarding the carbonised seeds, biochar is not supposed to break down, it's a soil conditioner rather than a fertilizer. the idea is that it stimulates micro biological activity.