Question regarding molasses: What, Why, & How?

[the.fatman.cometh]

I have heard of molasses being used for growing, but I didn't give it much thought, I mean, I'm familiar with molasses(I am from TN) in the cooking sense, but seeing a post by videoman referring to it, let's me know that there is credibility to this. So my question is, what is it actually(as applies to growing)? Why would you use it? And, finally, how is it given to the plants or introduced to their enviroment?

[The HSIC]

Well here ya go... (3LB = 3 little birds, a well known group from OG/CW)
Sweet Organic Goodness - Magical Molasses

There are a number of different nutrient and fertilizer companies selling a variety of additives billed as carbohydrate booster products for plants. Usually retailing for tens of dollars per gallon if not tens of dollars per liter, these products usually claim to work as a carbohydrate source for plants. A variety of benefits are supposed to be unlocked by the use of these products, including the relief of plant stresses and increases in the rate of nutrient uptake. On the surface it sounds real good, and while these kinds of products almost always base their claims in enough science to sound good, reality doesn’t always live up to the hype.

The 3LB are pretty well known for our distrust of nutrient companies like Advanced Nutrients who produce large lines of products (usually with large accompanying price tags) claiming to be a series of “magic bullets� - unlocking the keys to growing success for new and experienced growers alike. One member of the three_little_birds grower’s and breeder’s collective decided to sample one of these products a while back, intending to give the product a fair trial and then report on the results to the community at Cannabis World.

Imagine, if you will, Tweetie bird flying off to the local hydroponics store, purchasing a bottle of the wonder product - “Super Plant Carb!� (not it’s real name) - and then dragging it back to the bird’s nest. With a sense of expectation our lil’ bird opens the lid, hoping to take a peek and a whiff of this new (and expensive) goodie for our wonderful plants. She is greeted with a familiar sweet smell that it takes a moment to place. Then the realization hits her. . .

Molasses! The “Super Plant Carb!� smells just like Blackstrap Molasses. At the thought that she’s just paid something like $15 for a liter of molasses, our Tweetie bird scowls. Surely she tells herself there must be more to this product than just molasses. So she dips a wing into the sweet juice ever so slightly, and brings it up to have a taste.

Much the same way a sneaky Sylvester cat is exposed by a little yellow bird saying - “I thought I saw a puddy tat . . . I did I did see a puddy tat . . . and he’s standing right there!� - our Tweetie bird had discovered the essence of this product. It was indeed nothing more than Blackstrap Molasses, a quick taste had conformed for our Tweetie bird that she had wasted her time and effort lugging home a very expensive bottle of plant food additive. Molasses is something we already use for gardening at the Bird’s Nest. In fact sweeteners like molasses have long been a part of the arsenal of common products used by organic gardeners to bring greater health to their soils and plants.

So please listen to the little yellow bird when she chirps, because our Tweetie bird knows her stuff. The fertilizer companies are like the bumbling Sylvester in many ways, but rather than picturing themselves stuffed with a little bird, they see themselves growing fat with huge profits from the wallets of unsuspecting consumers. Let us assure you it’s not the vision of yellow feathers floating in front of their stuffed mouths that led these executives in their attempt to “pounce� on the plant growing public.
And the repackaging of molasses as plant food or plant additive is not just limited to the companies selling their products in hydroponic stores. Folks shopping at places like Wal-Mart are just as likely to be taken in by this tactic. In this particular case the offending party is Schultz® Garden Safe All Purpose Liquid Plant Food 3-1-5. This is a relatively inexpensive product that seems appealing to a variety of organic gardeners. Here’s Shultz own description of their product.

“Garden Safe Liquid Plant Foods are made from plants in a patented technology that provides plants with essential nutrients for beautiful flowers and foliage and no offensive smell. Plus they improve soils by enhancing natural microbial activity. Great for all vegetables, herbs, flowers, trees, shrubs and houseplants including roses, tomatoes, fruits, and lawns. Derived from completely natural ingredients, Garden Safe All Purpose Liquid Plant Food feeds plants and invigorates soil microbial activity. Made from sugar beet roots! No offensive manure or fish odors.�
That sure sounds good, and the three_little_birds will even go as far as to say we agree 100% with all the claims made in that little blurb of ad copy. But here’s the problem, Shultz isn’t exactly telling the public that the bottle of “fertilizer� they are buying is nothing more than a waste product derived from the production of sugar. In fact, Schultz® Garden Safe 3-1-5 Liquid Plant Food is really and truly nothing more than a form molasses derived from sugar beet processing that is usually used as an animal feed sweetener. If you don’t believe a band of birds, go ahead and look for yourself at the fine print on a Garden Safe bottle where it says - “Contains 3.0% Water Soluble Nitrogen, 1.0% Available Phosphate, 5.0% Soluble Potash - derived from molasses.�

The only problem we see, is that animal feed additives shouldn’t be retailing for $7.95 a quart, and that’s the price Shultz is charging for it’s Garden Safe product. While we don’t find that quite as offensive as Advanced Nutrients selling their “CarboLoad� product for $14.00 a liter, we still know that it’s terribly overpriced for sugar processing wastes. So, just as our band of birds gave the scoop on poop in our Guano Guide, we’re now about to give folks the sweet truth about molasses.
I hope this helps you.
Peace

[The HSIC]

Bottom line my friend is that it feeds the soil that feeds your plants.
It also adds some weight to the buds, and gives it a smoother, better taste too.
I use it about 2 weeks from harvest and all during the last week.
Peace

[green_nobody]

Originally Posted by the.fatman.cometh

I have heard of molasses being used for growing, but I didn't give it much thought, I mean, I'm familiar with molasses(I am from TN) in the cooking sense, but seeing a post by videoman referring to it, let's me know that there is credibility to this. So my question is, what is it actually(as applies to growing)? Why would you use it? And, finally, how is it given to the plants or introduced to their enviroment?

well from my experience molasses is best feed as a solution of at least 1l water on a table spoon covered in molasses, and for this strong rather strong version of the mix you need warm water to dissolve it all. a gallon, i would say per spoon, is a in general good concentration to go with.

as video mentioned above already, it is a nice fertilizer, and to add on this holds a lot of magnesium to it too. the clue about molasses is that you feed the useful microorganism in our soil and that those then provide more nutes in usable form to your plants root system. abut this also limits the use to soil, max would be coco fibers. with rockwool it plugs everything up and in hydro it kills pumps and stuffs drippers and shit. so it is for soil only!

[the.fatman.cometh]

Ok I have seen the light. LOL, thank you VM and the little birds, LOL. That leads me to another question...how or can that work for a hydro grow?:confused:

[green_nobody]

Originally Posted by the.fatman.cometh

Ok I have seen the light. LOL, thank you VM and the little birds, LOL. That leads me to another question...how or can that work for a hydro grow?:confused:

molasses isn't for hydro grows dude. don't try it, it will kill your system and grow.
a hydro grow in a ideal world is running sterile, so no microorganism to feed with in the first place. in the second, molasses is contains polysaccharides which will plug pumps, tubing, driper, and the rockwool itself. and in the third, if the solution you mix isn't plugging everything you still got lots of unused saccharides in a moist environment, all you need to grow the most perfect mold you can think of.

[The HSIC]

Although there are hydro nutes, made from molasses, especially formulated for hydro.
Peace

i personallly have heard nothing but bad things about molasses..i use one of those big companies carb booster's(carbo load liquid)..it seemd to me that it works great an as for the price tag i have been using it on 16 plants for almost 2 months an i have barelyused like 1/5 of it...so it lasts awhile...

[*GreenPassion*]

Whatever works for you is great.
This is what I use....

[dursky]

I have heard nothing but good things about molasses.. What are some bad things??

[hempie]

Originally Posted by dursky

I have heard nothing but good things about molasses.. What are some bad things??

it taste like ass.

lol it smells sweet though lmao...................I just watered my babies withsome this morning!

[hempie]

go have a taste

[the.fatman.cometh]

Originally Posted by green_nobody

molasses isn't for hydro grows dude. don't try it, it will kill your system and grow.
a hydro grow in a ideal world is running sterile, so no microorganism to feed with in the first place. in the second, molasses is contains polysaccharides which will plug pumps, tubing, driper, and the rockwool itself. and in the third, if the solution you mix isn't plugging everything you still got lots of unused saccharides in a moist environment, all you need to grow the most perfect mold you can think of.

Thank you, green_nobody! Thank you! I understand the euphanism of the handle green_"nobody", but it should be changed to green_somebody! Cause a you a save a me a lotta troublea, mama mia! Ok I dont know why I switched to a bad italian accent like that, but, hey what the hell, right? I need my vitamin thc. =)
:D

lol vitamin THC I love it!

[green_nobody]

Originally Posted by the.fatman.cometh

Thank you, green_nobody! Thank you! I understand the euphanism of the handle green_"nobody", but it should be changed to green_somebody! Cause a you a save a me a lotta troublea, mama mia! Ok I dont know why I switched to a bad italian accent like that, but, hey what the hell, right? I need my vitamin thc. =)
:D

the nobody in my nick has deeper meaning, it is a tribute to one of the greatest characters in european western movies;)

[the.fatman.cometh]

Originally Posted by green_nobody

the nobody in my nick has deeper meaning, it is a tribute to one of the greatest characters in european western movies;)

Sweet, who? I'm not too familiar with european western movies, do you mean western like cowboys/wild west/gunslinger ? Oh, and I hope there was no offense taken, because it wasn't meant to be offensive.
Peace.:D

molasses is good, but sugar cain is what they use in fox farm. It's the carbs you want thats it, well and some trace nuts also.;)

[green_nobody]

Originally Posted by hempie

it taste like ass.

if it does so why do i still have it for breakfast from time to time;) th good stuff tastes great dude, so try it on your pan cakes once;)

[green_nobody]

Originally Posted by the.fatman.cometh

Sweet, who? I'm not too familiar with european western movies, do you mean western like cowboys/wild west/gunslinger ? Oh, and I hope there was no offense taken, because it wasn't meant to be offensive.
Peace.:D

yes in that way, it is about a gun slinging smart ass, have a look yourself: http://10kbullets.com/reviews/my-nam...-the-greatest/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_Hill