How and When to use Molasses?

[KIEFFER]

Hello ICMag
I was looking to start using molasses in my garden. I have a set of plants that are 1 ½ weeks into flowering and a set that are 1-½ weeks away from harvest. Can I introduce molasses at any time in the cycle? I know why molasses is good to use, its just the how much, how often and when that I am not sure of.
Can you cause problems if you over use molasses? I have purchased an organic unsulphured blackstrap molasses, which I believe is what I want.

So if you are a molasses fan any info would be great. I have heard that it’s great to use, I just don’t like introducing anything till I know what I am doing. And where to get better info then here.

 

[pookey]

there is a sticky in the Organic Growing forum. Its all about molasses... it pretty much sums up about everything you need to know.

 

[FRANKENBLUNT420]

1tsp per gallon my friend!!!. be warned though, its mainly used as a nutrient for your organic soil and not too much a nutrient additive for the plants, more like a soil booster if you will. i used it every time i watered my plants, never just regular water, always always always with that tsp of molasses!!!

but thats pretty much what the sticky will explain to you, but hell i ay read it anyway, you may find out some things you never knew about organics.

peace

 

[gladysvjubb]

I use Mo'..............

 

[Pig-Pen]

You have a closet grow at The Frist?

 

[Clackamas Coot]

Hello ICMag
I was looking to start using molasses in my garden. I have a set of plants that are 1 ½ weeks into flowering and a set that are 1-½ weeks away from harvest. Can I introduce molasses at any time in the cycle? I know why molasses is good to use, its just the how much, how often and when that I am not sure of.
Can you cause problems if you over use molasses? I have purchased an organic unsulphured blackstrap molasses, which I believe is what I want.

So if you are a molasses fan any info would be great. I have heard that it’s great to use, I just don’t like introducing anything till I know what I am doing. And where to get better info then here.

Kieffer

FRANKENBLUNT explained it very well about what molasses adds to an organic grow.

It doesn't sweeten the buds. It has little, if any, value as a flushing agent. It is food for the microherd in your soil as well as adding several micro-nutrients like calcium, sulphur, et al.

The rate of 1 tsp. is the right amount to use. Cut that amount in half and add some Maxicrop (seaweed extract) and apply as a foliar spray. The sulphur in the molasses can help prevent powdery mildew. Don't take that to mean it is a cure - it is not. But it can and does help. Seaweed extract provides additional prevention for PM as well as mites.

The best source (and least expensive) for molasses is at a feed store or a farm store. This animal grade molasses is refined less than food grade and has more what it is you're wanting to add to your soil. For 3.5 gallons you should expect to pay around $10.00 which is about 40 lbs. or so. It's a lot of molasses. You grandchildren will have enough left to use on their gardens.

Many feed stores & farm stores will also have dried molasses. It comes in 50 lb. bags and should run you about $18.00 - that's what it is on the West Coast. this too is a lot of molasses. Probably enough for a couple of years.

You can add this to your soil mix. I used to use about 1 cup per cf. (5 gallon pot) before I switched back to the liquid product.

The dried molasses is also great for aerated compost teas. Most of the pre-packaged compost tea activators have dried molasses as part of the mixture.

One advantage to using dried molasses vs. regular molasses is that in the case of a spill, the dried product is much easier to clean-up than animal grade molasses syrup.

If you think that the organic molasses you bought is thick, you'll be in for a big surprise, mix well with a couple of cups of water before adding it to your watering system. It can clog micro-sprayers under the right/wrong conditions.

HTH