Molasses

[DeadlyFruit]

Molasses - Do you use it in your grows? When? How much? How often? Do you notice a difference? EDIT: I am thinking more about molasses as a supplement in the water rather than as an amendment for living soil.


I am just about to start harvesting so this is more for interest and for next time. What are your thoughts on the use of unsulphured molasses?

I have been using it intermittently, mostly in the final weeks of flowering. Maybe a tablespoon or two in a couple gallons of water but I don’t measure very closely. I usually start using it and then after a few times I stop because I get a sense it is doing things I don’t want (and then I try it again after a grow or two thinking it might be different... is the definition of insanity still doing the same thing and expecting a different result?)

What it seems is happening is that the plants are just excreting the sugars. I think the trichomes under magnification shift from nice mushroom shapes to looking like the trees in a Tim Burton movie - think haunted forest. I like a bit of sticky to my buds but I think this goes to the point that it is harder to trim and doesn’t grind as nicely. I don’t smoke but I would expect that excreted sugars might actually make bud harsher instead of better. All of this is speculation - I have no evidence. Happy to hear other opinions on the subject.

[kingfish]

How to Grow Sweet Smelling Buds | Grow Weed Easy

[PeterMatanzas]

I'll use a tsp in a gallon of tap water if I'm using living soil. Sometimes I'll make a 5 gal compost tea and drop a tbl in there, for any type of grow. You're right - all of this is speculation, there is little scientific research on cannabis, it is a nascent field of study.

Now some people swear by it, they say "what vigorous growth I have after applying molasses". The trouble is - you don't know if it was the molasses or something else. One has to consider the strain too. I wouldn't give a landrace sativa any molasses. Molasses feeds soil micro organisms. Micro organisms help roots absorb nutrients. But one cannot assume that feeding those micro organisms molasses will yield vigorous growth. I won't buy any argument until the NIH publishes or endorses a study.

At the same time a grower has to do what works for them. For example, my flip is 11/13 not 12/12 and don't ask why.

[crucialbunny]

Here ya go PeterMatanzas. I worked for 35 years in an educational research environment so I completely understand the importance of reliable sources of information. This article focuses on growing spinach but the fundamental soil study is applicable to our weed crops in regard to microbial influence on nutrient uptake. https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/IJ...cle/view/23301

[PeterMatanzas]

crucialbunny thank you for sharing that article and your experience. EDIT: There's a lot of smart people here and I'm learning.

[DeadlyFruit]

Great information. So, if the molasses is to feed the organisms in the soil rather than the plant directly is it pointless to use molasses in coco? It seems living soil is the only medium you would want/need to use it.

[kingfish]

The Importance of Molasses in Cannabis Plant Growth

https://hightimes.com › sponsored › importance-molass...

[PeterMatanzas]

The article you mention is an advertisement for Earth Juice Hi-Brix Molasses For Plants, of course they will sell the product as a growth juice. But this article cites no scientific research to support their claim, *because they didn't do the research*. If they had they would assume the role of Town Crier because they could sell their product with evidence it works. EDIT: plus, the article is from High Times and High Times is not a front for the NIH or any study group.

In a side note, is High Times still narc'ing people? POS magazine that's mostly ads or a stupid comic with a skull faced guy, and with only grow advice for the new.

[Farmbuck]

Each of us has her's or he's opinion about this natural nutrients, let say in my last grow I use it more often because of some issues. Did it had an impact (meaning a severe change) on my colas? I don't think so.

[Farmbuck]

Correction PeterMatanzas " her's or he's own opinion"

[PeterMatanzas]

we're on the same page, bro

[PeterMatanzas]

I am very opinionated and I drank a bottle of wine tonight.

[MagicMike66]

I use it every time I add feed as soon as I flip to 12/12. I’m not saying it’s just this but my buds do smell and taste sweet and delicious.

[PaganRich]

I use molasses all the time...I grow organically and brew compost teas...I find taste, smell and appearance is enhanced. I do not add molasses directly to the soil but allow the microbes to grow and multiply in the tea then add those to the soil. Pretty much most waterings are either non feed or feed teas and it works well for me....I brew 2 gal and add a 3rd when watering to dilute....I add 2 tablespoons of unsulphured and brew for roughly 24hrs each time....it`s similar to brewing beer in a sense and as such, quite good fun...take care mate....forgot, I do this for veg and flowering