Growing with molasses

[AloeRuss]

I think I asked that question long time ago, but since I still have a blank spot for an answer I will ask it again.

I keep hearing and reading how wonderful molasses is. How it feeds micro organisms, acts as chelating agent, nah. nah..

The question I have asked ( and coconutz, I am not asking because I want to grab the bottle and throw it into my tank brother) because I am trying to understand the theory, because in my mind, if I use a synthetic base benefits of molasses are minimal versus someone who is fully organic.

So to clarify. I think that only organic grows will get benefits that molasses has to offer.
Am I wrong?

All mighty Coconutz - you told me to put it in my tea instead of my reservuar.
Ok.. I won't touch it at all. But am I wrong on the theory peace?

 

[cannacultural]

There's heaps of discussion on this and I'm still not sold on it either way from what I've read. I'm skeptical on molasses being any sort of magic bullet which will make buds 'wow so amaze'. if anything as you say, it feeds organisms, and does supply a degree of nutrients. I am running 6/9 with added microbial inoculant, so would be somewhat encouraged to use molasses but don't know about doing so in coco. I'll happily use it in soil and tea brewing.

Some have posted links to scientific studies discussing if the roots are able to takeup the sugars, with some possibility that some plants do have the ability to take up some sugars. But this still isn't a 'proven' thing with cannabis. If anything molasses could be good, and would use it ahead of other commercial sugar products. But would love to hear anything new on the topic to convince me either way

 

[Granger2]

If you have a microherd, they will appreciate MO. There are studies that show that plants CAN take up some sugars. They can certainly take up the other nutes in MO. Sulfur has been shown to enhance aromatics.

So many people hold that chem nutes act like bleach or something and wipe out your herd. Not true. Chem nutes don't help the herd, and those nutes do an end run around the symbiosis of herd and plant, but I believe there is still benefit to be had from a big active herd. If anything, with chem nutes you want to do all you can to help the herd along, like feeding them MO.

I suggest using [or do a side by side] MO as soon as you feed and see little new blooming. Drop base nutes and hit them with MO untill the calyxes swell and then start flushing. BTW, I grow in coco using Earth Juice nutes. Coco can support a healthy microherd and does if you nurture it.

Also, just because it hasn't been "proven" that cannabis takes up sugars, doesn't mean it doesn't. I'm not waiting for that "proof." If plants in general do, then it's a safe bet that cannabis does. And if some day down the line it's shown not to, what have I lost? Can't hurt. Good luck. -granger

 

[AloeRuss]

Granger, sounds that you already done side by side, bro.
True?

 

[AssSlinger]

I use synthetic sugars while working with coco.
I believe molasses is way better for the plants as it is by far cheaper and it holds magnesium and sulfur which are beneficial.
HOWEVER
Molasses clogs my watering system - it clogs drippers and clogs my filters. I don't put it in the reservoir.
Also, it attracts bugs (if put in the reservoir than tenfold to the reservoir) to the plants as it's still available sugar.
Unlike soil coco tends to always be moist and the microfauna is not as quick as with soil to break down the sugars.

You should always note that while using extra-sugars you should never overwater as the solution will become anaerobic really quick as bacteria, fungi and yeast will use the sugar for their own good.
And you should always aerate a reservoir if you put sugars in it.


Sometimes I do sin and add molasses to the plants in the end of the flowering phase while growing in coco but I do it by hand-watering and only when there is no sign of buds.



Cheers.

 

[stoned40yrs]

I used MO for years off and on in soil. Not every grow and did side by sides same strain. I don't know why I liked the stuff because it never did a damn thing yield, taste or smell wise. I probably used it because it was another bottle of crap to add to the recipe. I'm sure some days I could be talked into having Orangutans come in every other day and piss on my plants as part of a new recipe. When you see pics of all the beautiful bud being grown with base nutes and minimal feeds and additives you realize what a dumbass you can be for letting people and companies talk into the next new "must add "crap. I may still be susceptible to their influence but ain't no way molasses is getting anywhere near my coco.

 

[gladysvjubb]

defintely helps with the sweetness of the bud when smoked.

 

[AssSlinger]

I did find difference while using molasses. Mainly in the taste in coco and to feed the microherd in organic soil.
Also, it is about the cheapest additive you can get.

 

[stoned40yrs]

Placebo effect. Fire up a bowl or vap some molasses or sugar, if ya think the smoke tastes sweet yer senses are bent.

 

[stoney917]

I use it in coco.. i never been a fan of sweet or budcandy sweetner products in general but 2.5 ml per gal with my mixed powder carbo load dumped into my res worked just as good as cannaboost and carboload last run..

 

[stoney917]

I also think using bcuzz bloom is a huge reason why my buds taste n smell so good...

 

[RoadRash]

Quite often with soil, what the plant feeds on is the excretion/ excrement of the micro-organisms. Worm castings, for example.

To get a good soil, you often feed the mini- and micro- fauna, and they crap little nuggets of plant food/ love/ nutrition.


Does the molasses work because it feeds the Cannabis plant directly ? Or are there some intervening organisms that can help the process along ?

 

[Granger2]

Stoned40years,
Smoke molasses? lol. If you're happy without it, that's great. To each his own. Good luck. -granger

 

[nukklehead]

I used MO for years off and on in soil. Not every grow and did side by sides same strain. I don't know why I liked the stuff because it never did a damn thing yield, taste or smell wise. I probably used it because it was another bottle of crap to add to the recipe. I'm sure some days I could be talked into having Orangutans come in every other day and piss on my plants as part of a new recipe. When you see pics of all the beautiful bud being grown with base nutes and minimal feeds and additives you realize what a dumbass you can be for letting people and companies talk into the next new "must add "crap. I may still be susceptible to their influence but ain't no way molasses is getting anywhere near my coco.

Im pretty much with ya 40.. MaxiKiss is rockin it for me. But I did hire some fill in leftovers from planet of the apes movies to come take a piss and let me tell u those trichs are rockin it now.....