Molasses??
- Thread starter budgrowe
- Start date
SeeRockCity
Active Member
I wouldnt recommend honey...
Molasses does a few things...there are micronutrients that help rooting and soil.
Sugars to help taste and it helps produce heavier buds..
too much and you can easily lockout needed nutrients...
I start using it in flower...
but you cant just go feeding any sugary substance to your plants dude....smh....
Molasses does a few things...there are micronutrients that help rooting and soil.
Sugars to help taste and it helps produce heavier buds..
too much and you can easily lockout needed nutrients...
I start using it in flower...
but you cant just go feeding any sugary substance to your plants dude....smh....
Weeellll i was thinking of honey cause its what i got and its 100% natural and i had no idea of what mollases does so i was thinking maybe it does the same thing, i dont just go into my kitchen and pick out something sugery and say "Oh ima feed this to my plant today" lmao
SeeRockCity
Active Member
I've never had bugs from using it...
it's used very sparingly...1tsp/gal MAX and mixed in very well...
I also have to adjust my Ph before administering because it lowers the Ph greatly....
backstrap is great...
unsulfered is the only requirement though....
Nullis
Moderator
Blackstrap molasses is a by-product of sugar refining. It can be produced from sugar cane or beets. It is what remains after the final (3rd) extraction and so has the most concentration of minerals, and least amount of sucrose. It tastes more bitter than sweet, although there are still carbohydrates in it primarily sucrose, glucose and fructose and a variety of others. Blackstrap in particular is an excellent source of potassium; it contains a variety of minerals magnesium, calcium, iron... and trace elements. It also has chelating properties, particularly when it comes to iron. It is great for feeding microbes in soil and in AACT's.
I generally use from 1 tsp to 2 tbsp per gallon. 2 tbsp for bacterially dominated AACT, a tsp for younger plants or up to a tablespoon for larger\blooming plants.
Plant roots don't generally absorb exogenous sucrose. When they do it tends to be metabolized by the root cell. In fact, plant roots secrete or exude carbohydrates (and other compounds) to stimulate microbes and attract them to the rhizosphere.
I generally use from 1 tsp to 2 tbsp per gallon. 2 tbsp for bacterially dominated AACT, a tsp for younger plants or up to a tablespoon for larger\blooming plants.
Plant roots don't generally absorb exogenous sucrose. When they do it tends to be metabolized by the root cell. In fact, plant roots secrete or exude carbohydrates (and other compounds) to stimulate microbes and attract them to the rhizosphere.
Nullis
Moderator
Just wanted to add a few things... I have also never had any pest issues due to using blackstrap molasses, and I often use quite a bit more than a teaspoon per gallon. As far as pests go, the main one I can think of that may be attracted to molasses would be certain ants. I mix everything in another room, downstairs and my tent is upstairs. Just make sure if you spill any that you clean it up. Once the molasses is mixed thoroughly into your water or fertigation solution (all you have to do is shake it up) it just isn't very appealing to ants. Just about as soon as you pour it onto soil the microbes, particularly bacteria, will go on a frenzy for the simple sugars, reproducing until they are all but exhausted.
Honey is quite a bit different than molasses and not so good for plants; it has much less in terms of nutrient content, and honey may act as an antimicrobial, partially due to the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Honey also tends to be a bit more expensive.
Blackstrap is really what you want to use where possible, due to the concentration of minerals and particularly potassium. Potassium\potash is naturally lacking from many organic nutrient sources including guano, manures, bone meal, etc. You can usually find blackstrap where the health foods are, as opposed to in the baking aisle. Popular brands include Plantation Blackstrap and Brer Rabbit. Grandma's molasses is a popular brand for baking, but it isn't blackstrap.
Earth Juice sells it's own Hi-Brix molasses for plants, as well as Catalyst which is essentially a carbohydrate supplement that contains molasses, oat bran and yeast. You may notice molasses listed as an ingredient in various organic plant foods.
Again, it is important to remember, plant roots don't absorb sugars that you apply to the soil. It really isn't going to make your buds any "sweeter" or anything, at least not directly. Any limiting nutrient (nutrient a plant needs that isn't plentiful enough) is going to hinder a plant from growing to it's full potential in terms of yield, smell and even taste.
Honey is quite a bit different than molasses and not so good for plants; it has much less in terms of nutrient content, and honey may act as an antimicrobial, partially due to the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Honey also tends to be a bit more expensive.
Blackstrap is really what you want to use where possible, due to the concentration of minerals and particularly potassium. Potassium\potash is naturally lacking from many organic nutrient sources including guano, manures, bone meal, etc. You can usually find blackstrap where the health foods are, as opposed to in the baking aisle. Popular brands include Plantation Blackstrap and Brer Rabbit. Grandma's molasses is a popular brand for baking, but it isn't blackstrap.
Earth Juice sells it's own Hi-Brix molasses for plants, as well as Catalyst which is essentially a carbohydrate supplement that contains molasses, oat bran and yeast. You may notice molasses listed as an ingredient in various organic plant foods.
Again, it is important to remember, plant roots don't absorb sugars that you apply to the soil. It really isn't going to make your buds any "sweeter" or anything, at least not directly. Any limiting nutrient (nutrient a plant needs that isn't plentiful enough) is going to hinder a plant from growing to it's full potential in terms of yield, smell and even taste.
MYOB
Well-Known Member
It is to feed the microorganisms in the soil, which in turn promote healthy root development. The plant doesn't use the carbohydrates directly so it wont make your buds taste sweeter or anything like that. A healthy root system leads to better quality plants so it has an indirect effect.
I would think it would have to be used as part of an organic approach as it depends on a "living" soil.
I would think it would have to be used as part of an organic approach as it depends on a "living" soil.