Grotek's Black Pearl pioneered biochar in our industry as a means of improving soil quality and enhancing the effects of biology added to substrate mixes and nutrient recipes. The science of biochar has been in the making in the eight years since we first launched Black Pearl. The evidence is clear: when used properly in combination with a nutrient and substrate management program, biochar can have a tremendous impact on soil quality and plant development.
Black Pearl is a perfect addition to any nutrient program to help stimulate plant growth by focusing on soil quality and root nourishment. Add it whenever you transplant.
Key features
- Biological catalyst that supercharges all beneficial microbes
- Increases the availability of nutrients and provides trace elements
- Improves the structure of the plant, from the roots to the shoots
Biochar
Remember, not all biofuels are created equal, and making biochar is not as easy as making a fire and collecting the ash and charcoal in your containers. The biochar in Black Pearl is a virgin wood fiber taken from sustainably managed forests and engineered using an engineered pyrolytic process (oxygen-free baking). Adding biochar to the substrate increases the carbon in the substrate and this can have a tremendous impact in several ways:
Biological stimulation
Black Pearl contains no biological remains, but can be an essential additive to get the most out of the microbes of your choice. Adding just 1% biochar to microbe-enriched soils can increase plant shoots and root weights. This effect is more pronounced with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that accelerate the availability of nutrients. At a recommended ratio of 5 to 10% biochar per volume of substrate, the overall biomass can increase by 65% or more and the bacterial count can increase above 130%.
Water conservation
The biochar acts like a hard-walled sponge, keeping the water closer to the roots for longer. This longer-lasting retention of accessible water helps the plant to maintain maximum production in periods of stress and also stimulates the biology to remain more active with more continuous water present in the topsoil.
Nutrient management
Biochar is used as a repair tool for the mining sector due to its ability to absorb nutrients from the surrounding soil. For farmers, this means less money disappears to the bottom of their containers. For plants, it means more nutrients right when and where they need them.
Stable organic material
If you are growing outdoors, Black Pearl can really shine. This product will create the long-term stable organic material that will help with soil quality for hundreds of years. The more carbon that remains in the soil, the more spectacular the health benefits of the crops and their quality will be.
Minerals
Most of the topsoil and topsoil are deficient in trace elements. The sector focuses on the essential elements that have been shown to be necessary for a plant to achieve its maximum harvest. On the contrary, many studies have also shown that the addition of a wider range of trace elements can improve production, although the reasons are not entirely clear. The Black Pearl formula blends volcanic and sedimentary rock dust to obtain a diverse mix of minerals, perfect for stimulating microbiology and nourishing soils.
Natural chelates
Water soluble humic acid is a key component of the product mix. Free minerals are guaranteed to be chelated and easier for plants to absorb. This effect stimulates the biology to expand and help plants achieve their full potential.
Kelp extract
When mixed with the soil or dusted at the time of transplanting, the water soluble kelp present in Black Pearl can affect the development of the plant in terms of root biomass and leaf area index, which increases the harvested crop weight and quality. Kelp has been used for centuries, and this extract concentrates all the benefits and adds them to every bottle of Black Pearl.
Instructions for use
The best way to apply Black PearlTM is by mixing in the substrate or when transplanting into the soil or soilless growing medium. To recondition media, apply 2 tbsp. per quart (25 ml per 1 L) in soil / growing medium. For transplants, sprinkle 3 tbsp. (45 ml) directly under the roots and work with the soil lightly. Water abundantly and place the plant in the transplant hole. Black PearlTM can be used as a surface application, but will be most effective when applied deeper into the growing medium / soil.