can i just use plain sugar as a nutrient instead of molasses? will it damage the plant instead?

Yes, but only give it about a tbsp. per gallon.

Whoa... Dude.. Don't do it. I tried it years ago and killed some top quality plants. See, with straight sugar, you will amp up the little microorganisms in the soil - which, if they are good ones - is great. However, if you have more (not so nice) microorganisms present, they will get all amped up and steal energy from your plant roots.

If you want to stay organic, but still boost growth - Use Blue Mountain Organics " Super Plant Tonic " it has molasses in it, but with mychorrizal fungi (they are the good guys - who feed your roots, increase resistance to drought, and generally toughen up you plants). Straight sugar is unpredictable. Super Plant Tonic is made by a bunch of Hippies living in the Ozark Mountains.. Word has it - They supply a Famous... Country Singer.....who is partial to the Bud... I believe his intials are WN.
You can find it on Ebay for about 10 bucks.. Just search Organic Fertilizer or Organic Plant Tonic.. If you find it, buy it quick, it goes fast...

For get the molassis and sugar and all the other shit. Keep it simple and ya will grow bud.

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-- just a thought--

no , the molasses definitely helps. Sugar is refined and isn't as accesible to the microorganism as unsulphured molasses or unrefined cane sugar Don't knock it until you try it dirtyboy, 1 tablespoon per gallon once a week during flowering.

never use sugar, humans shouldnt eat that shit either, molasses is whats left over from the refining of sugar, they strip anything that has nutritional value out of cane sugar and thats what molasses is.

and dirty boy just thinks hes giving good advice but its proven by even george cervantes that molasseses augment bud size by twenty percent and make for tastier buds

I agree, the molasses really pumps up the buds. Refined Sugar is Shit. It's the reason we have so many ADHD kids bouncing off walls. If you have molasses, mychorrizal fungi and some worm casting in the mix; you're going to grow so excellant nugs.

Molasses....works great, cheap $1.80.....

wow i have read some cods wallop in here but this takes the cake...sugar cant kill your plant unless you bury it in it,
sugar can be used to feed the microorganisms but it lacks the trace elements that molasses has,
molasses is cheaper and far more beneficial to the plant than sugar ,
but both are safe..

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I'll change highways in a while, at the crossroads, one more mile.my gallery

Yes, Molasses is cheap, but beware of sulphured molasses - it will kill your friendly fungi and possibly shock your roots. If, doing the hydro thing - it can plug up the works - if it has not been oxgenated in a tea mix. It's best mixed with worm castings; since red worms and earthworms - naturally retain & pass on mychorrizal fungi (good fungi) in their manure (castings). Just properly oxgenate (use a aquarium air pump/stone) and filter it with a coffee filter, before dumping it in the res. .. Or if all that sounds like work. Do what I do, go on Ebay and buy some already proven stuff. Search Organic Fertilizer or Organic Plant Tonic - if you find some made by Blue Mountain Organics .. Buy it... The stuff rocks & best of all - it's in my price range - Cheap....