Molasses dosage.

i have plantation black strap unsulphured molasses, how much per gal. and per plant

As much as you want - has no effect on bud size whatever, I have found.

Spanishfly said:

As much as you want - has no effect on bud size whatever, I have found.

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I've tried it both ways; same strain, same grow medium and couldn't determine any difference. I now limit usage to AACT brews.

The 'standard' dose is 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of water.

so then whats the point lol? just another myth ?

lol the reason for adding sugars (carbs) isnt so much in a super boost in yield as in to feed the microbes the plant WILL use the extracarbs though during the third phase of floral maturity but in order for this to happen you have to have a drop in temp when the lights are off like from 80 on to 65-68 off then the plant uses the carbs for production rather then respiration

Unnk said:

lol the reason for adding sugars (carbs) isnt so much in a super boost in yield as in to feed the microbes the plant WILL use the extracarbs though during the third phase of floral maturity but in order for this to happen you have to have a drop in temp when the lights are off like from 80 on to 65-68 off then the plant uses the carbs for production rather then respiration

Click to expand...

Nice to know when facing a cool winter.

Unnk said:

lol the reason for adding sugars (carbs) isnt so much in a super boost in yield as in to feed the microbes the plant WILL use the extracarbs though during the third phase of floral maturity but in order for this to happen you have to have a drop in temp when the lights are off like from 80 on to 65-68 off then the plant uses the carbs for production rather then respiration

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He is correct. I have tested this and it seems to have a difference. Low temps are great, but I wouldn't go too low.

yep its about the krebs cycle and how the plant uses atp

i use a large tablespoon in my aact
so the creatures in the tea have food
for me its just a aroma and taste additive
for my beuties

Here's an interesting blurb regarding molasses from an organic mailing list frequented by scientists who specialize in the the study and development of ACT brewing:

"Seems Parasitic Cyst Nematode numbers are decreased (in soil) following the application of molasses as observed by S. Schenck - Hawaii Agri Research Centre (Oct 2001).

Perhaps it's our additions of molasses in ACT thats repressing the Nematode populations as opposed to simply the liquid environment!
Would Molasses have the same effect on the Beneficial Nematodes?

Interesting to note each cyst can contain as many as 600 eggs that can survive
up to 5 years even through dry conditions. This needs to be kept in mind to prevent reinfection in following years."

Budsmoker187 said:

so then whats the point lol? just another myth ?

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Exactly. Several years ago nobody in MJ forums had thought of feeding their plants what is basically sugar, FGS !!!

Now you read about it all the time.

I tried molasses this year, some plants with, some without. Just to satisfy myself whether or not there was anything in it.

No discernible difference whatever between the 2 groups. I shan´t be wasting any more time and money on molasses.

Spanishfly said:

Exactly. Several years ago nobody in MJ forums had thought of feeding their plants what is basically sugar, FGS !!!

Now you read about it all the time.

I tried molasses this year, some plants with, some without. Just to satisfy myself whether or not there was anything in it.

No discernible difference whatever between the 2 groups. I shan´t be wasting any more time and money on molasses.

Click to expand...

Sugar?..... ya sugar packed full of nutrients

Spanishfly said:

Exactly. Several years ago nobody in MJ forums had thought of feeding their plants what is basically sugar, FGS !!!

Now you read about it all the time.

I tried molasses this year, some plants with, some without. Just to satisfy myself whether or not there was anything in it.

No discernible difference whatever between the 2 groups. I shan´t be wasting any more time and money on molasses.

Click to expand...

Good to know Spanishfly, I'll take that into consideration.

Explain why I get better yields with Humboldt Honey Carbs then?

researchkitty said:

Explain why I get better yields with Humboldt Honey Carbs then?

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Because carbs, molasses, sucnant can make a difference, it depends on many factors, mostly your soil mix. Do not let one person's 'experiment' sway your choices. Your garden may be very different than his. Indoor vs outdoor, media mix, food source... all make a huge difference in the system.

The reason one feeds molasses to an AACT, is the same reason one feeds molasses to the soil. Microbes do not stop growing once the brew ends.

And molasses is much more than sugar, really?

I'm Hydro rather than soil, but with that exception, its $16.95 for a quart of it, and a quart lasts many months. If it yields my 6000w garden more than 2 grams of weed extra, its profitable.

Despite that sugars are a high energy food source, molasses is only really about 55% 'sugar'.
Depending on the brand of molasses, it could contain more or less of the following per 100 grams (the percentages are human % DV):

• Calcium ----- 205 mg --- 20%
• Iron -------- 4.7 mg --- 26%
• Magnesium --- 242 mg --- 61%
• Phosphorus -- 31 mg ---- 3%
• Potassium --- 1464 mg -- 42%
• Sodium ------ 37 mg ---- 2%
• Zinc -------- 0.3 mg --- 2%
• Copper ------ 0.5 mg --- 24%
• Manganese --- 1.5 mg --- 77%
• Selenium ---- 17.8 mcg - 25%

Vitamins

• Thiamin -------- > 0.0 mg -- 3%
• Niacin ------------- 0.9 mg -- 5%
• Vitamin B6 ------- 0.7 mg -- 34%
• Pantothenic Acid - 0.8 mg -- 8%
• Choline ---------- 13.3 mg - ~

Sugars (55.5 g)

• Sucrose 29403 mg
• Glucose 11919 mg
• Fructose 12791 mg

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5573/2

It seems that many like to use molasses during the last couple weeks of flower because they reason it would improve the taste of the finished product. This is quite ironic, because it turns out that excessive amounts of the elements found in molasses such as magnesium and copper will actually contribute to a harsher smoke.
Ideally you would use molasses throughout the entire grow, except for the last couple weeks. You could also find a brand with lesser mineral content.

Sugars themselves are most likely beneficial in a living soil environment. Decomposing, nitrogen fixing and other symbiotic bacteria are capable of utilizing and might even require sugars as a food source, which they would obtain from root exudates in nature. Sugars are rapidly metabolized, unlike other food sources for microbes such as cellulose and lignin.

Nice post. I've read the same information on a different forum and as mentioned in my prior post no longer use molasses other than in AACT brews. A living soil eliminates all that time expended searching for and using supplements.

I'm happy to experience this particular organic forum trending away from fanboy supplement pitching in virtually every thread. It hasn't been all that long since anyone disagreeing with big name brand supplements was instantly attacked. The trend to science for grow medium planning here will stimulating, and far more valuable in the long run.

Spanishfly said:

As much as you want - has no effect on bud size whatever, I have found.

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Many people have told me this. Apparently has no effect other than clogging up the soil with undissolvable sugars. Also, it only feeds living soil (microbes and whatnot). There are better sources of simple sugars, and is not even comparable to a good carbohydrate complex. I take no credit for these words, this is what experienced growers have told me.

Ok, so it cloggs up soil, but does it do that in Hydro? Maybe it isnt the product thats bad but customers implementations of a product?

Now that I see the chemical makeup of molasses, I wonder why I buy Cal Mag still.