I was hoping for a in depth look at why farmers feed molasses. You went the other way with it.
Large scale farmers are starting to realize soil health is key to crops year after year, watch some of the documentaries on it, some great info in them. I remember in one of em someone makes a comment “there’s dirt, and there is soil, farming land down to dirt isn’t gonna grow food every year, but keeping and continuing to add organic plant matter and maintain healthy soil cultures to break down that matter is key to long term sustainable success”
Well any farmer adding molasses is only trying to boost the sugar content for microbes to feed on trying to maintain an active living soil there’s been a lot of studies on it and a quick Google search can verify molasses doesnt directly feed the plants, only the microscopic by-product that’s created from it’s application. To the eye we see a healthy plant, under a microscope thats likely accompanied by a healthy economy in the soil with microbes
3 Likes
arent the microbes supposed to feed on the soil and on root exudates? why do you want to feed them other shit when you want them eating and nutrient cycling elements already in the soil?
not being confrontational just trying to understand
OUM, 35 years in use at our grows for pests, foliar boosts and soil/neem soaks.
A great deal of organic ferments are brown sugar based, light molasses content.
Molasses is pest control, step 1 as far as we are concerned. IMHO
3 Likes
Watching and trying to understand. Have tried molasses, un-sulphered, and am not sure I see a clear benefit. (I’m always wondering if the benefits I think I’m seeing are a placebo effect?)
But, reading here, I also don’t think I’m doing it right. I’ve been adding 1-tablspoon per gallon the last 3-4-weeks. Sounds like I need to start earlier in veg while trying to get my root biome rocking. ?
Some good reading.
4 Likes
Nice, I have been interested in giving some FPJ, FFJ and LABS a try. Never made any or tried any ever, but I am interested indeed.
3 Likes
It is pure pleasure, exciting and takes little time to see results.
Are you familiar with REV?
This added to a 30/30/40 soil and a great starter compost, combined with organics “farments” is an outstanding producer. I come from blood meal and bat guano supercool/BOG soil mix history.
I’m using Foop this year for nutrients and Could not be happier.!
1 Like
Never heard of it. Is it just humic acid suspended in a solution?
2 Likes
Miracle Sauce
2 Likes
Just curious because I have a little bag of gradual humic acid sitting over here that I got for the hell of it incase I wanted it for a future endeavor.
1 Like
REV doesn’t give any specifics regarding the chemistry which I’d be interested in. But, humic is very good for feeding microbes and conditioning bad soil.
Here’s a link about Molasses and the truth about it. I used to use a lot of molasses but now use 1/4 to 1/2 tsp per gal. But this link is good food for thought.
1 Like
Another view :Calculating the Rate of Acidifiers to Lower the pH of North Carolina Soils | NC State Extension Publications
About half way down, PH is lowered with sulphered molassas, so a very good reason for me to keep on the path I’ve been on, hail Brer Rabbit, LOL!
2 Likes
Hey Webe! Yeah, hard to break an old habit. I do use less. i heard somewhere that too much interferes with microbes, but can’t remember who… on a potcast. I still do my 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. every time I use liquids. I’m using that Roots Terp tea to see how I like it. You can top dress or brew it for 24 hours. It’s micronized so it works better to add it to water. I add Big 6 trace minerals along with silica and sometimes microbes. I think all of Roots dry nutes have microbes included. I need to ween off and try to adopt KNF. Hope your winter is winding down. It was mostly mild here this year but has started snowing finally off and on. Could be a rough drought this year, but we’ll see. Happy growing! Oh, I was gonna say, that Big 6 from Build A Soil is nice humic acid source, too.
3 Likes
You are 100% correct on the adding the Molasses to the Tea brew 24 hr at 1/2 tsp.I have been really digging doing this way and my plants are looking like someone watered them with viagra standing tall. been Using my first initial dose at 1 Whole tsp then I tapered to 1/2 every brew and I haven’t had any real nute problems and I don’t get that whole crunchy top inch of soil doing that either it’s like the microbes chew the sticky in the molasses like bubblegum and it gets real water soluble.I’ve been halving the dose measurements of my Dr earth gold and all my other supplements.Saves products and money and not too many burn issues maybe a little yellow tip here or there but real nice gardens.Nice and steady small beats a once in a while buffet I think
3 Likes
Hey Gman, yeah I was around when the 3LittleBirds, first released their molassa paper years ago now. BUT the amounts posted up were just way to high, when I mixed up a batch the first time.
The un or sulphered has been a debate for ever. I’ll not say anyone is wrong with either product, but for my and mine sulphered stays.
Great find Astrodude!! That is a first for me. I wish it would kill off gnats, LOL!
2 Likes
Gnatrol and forget em
1 Like
I always wonder… how hard would Afghan farmers laugh at what is presented here as the next beneficial fad in a bottle while they fling some cow dung and mulch from the previous harvest on their field and call it a day.
6 Likes
Molasses and Sugar syrup are both mentioned in farming in afghanistan for over 1400 years.
KNF Farming is 4000 years old and molasses and sugars are a staple.
3 Likes