Why unsulfured molasses?

[Smiley D]

Does anyone have any experience with sulfured molasses? Does it impart any taste or smell to the final product?

Sulfur is a great fungicide, seems like molasses would be a great way to get a natural fungicide protecting the plant from the inside.

Although if it makes the bud reek of sulfur, I'd rather take my chances with the mold.

The sulfur in the molasses must be in some non smelly form though, right? I mean, what the fuck would someone use stinky molasses for?

Anyone have any experience with sulfured molasses, I don't think I've ever seen it?

 

[vanbuilder2]

€Good question. I can't wait for responses. Sorry I don't have an answer

 

[vanbuilder2]

What is the diffrence in mollasses? If it is 100 % pure??????????

 

[Smiley D]

"Sulfured molasses is made from young green sugar cane and is treated with sulfur dioxide, which acts as a preservative, during the sugar extraction process."

Wikipedia also says that sulfur dioxide is used in wine making in low concentrations. If they can get away with using it in wine not ruining it, I should be able to water with it.

Not going to guinea pig any of my girls. Looking for some wisdom from someone that has tried it.

 

[Smiley D]

Supposedly most humans can begin to smell sulfur dioxide at 2.7 ppm.

Sulfured molasses contains ~300 ppm sulfur dioxide.

100 ppm in the air is deadly.

Sounds like heady stuff.

I'm not surprised it kills mold.

 

[Smiley D]

When molasses is mentioned on this forum and others, it is very often coupled with the specification; "unsulfured".

Does anyone have any idea how this originated? Is it just the negative connotation sulfur has (smells like ass) that started the "only unsulfured" movement that is apparent in the grow community?

Sure, this thread started life as a late night stony musing, but I am kind of curious still. Someone humor me.

 

[skitzo]

I need to know how much molasses do you add when using it?

I'm only going to be adding it to my water when I flush for the last 2 weeks and harvest the plant.

How much should I be using when doing this?

 

[skitzo]

I was going to add probably 2tbls worth every day i flush for the last 2 weeks.

Is that about right?

 

[Smiley D]

alright brah,

This thread was supposed to be about why unsulfured molasses is recommended over sulfured molasses.

Know one can answer, so we might as well do something with the thread.

You seem to be asking me, and I'll oblige.

Let me preface with this. This is my first season running molasses and I am impressed.

Most of the info out there about molasses seems to be pertaining to indoor. Hence "1-2 tsp per gallon".

I believe large healthy outdoor plants can handle and benefit from much higher concentrations. I have been running about a half cup per gallon since early august, 1-3 times per week. I obviously raised the dosage gradually in the preceding weeks, to be safe, and allow observation.

This single gallon is applied directly to the base of the stem. It is divided amongst ~20 medium to large plants, forecasted dry harvest of around 2 pounds. So you have an idea just how spread out this single gallon is. This solution is then "washed down" with the nute solution, applied directly to the base of the stem. Once again at many times the recommended concentration.

I guess the whole point of this post is to highlight the different needs between a plant that receives most of it's moisture from the gardener(indoor, potted outdoor) and a plant that is grown in ground and receives the vast majority of it's moisture naturally, through rain, dew, and overall naturally moist soil.

I am only able to run such high concentrations because it is naturally diluted. I also believe that molasses can benefit plants in veg as well as flowering. Just how early during veg, I cannot say.

All this high content molasses water will attract animals. They might dig at the base of plants. If the plants are large and established, they should be resistant to damage. Unless you have some large animals attacking. I imagine a bear would tear a garden up. I liberally apply cayenne powder to the bases of the plants after every watering. It discourages the raccoons and such that ignore human urine and scent and still tresspass into the garden.

Following my advice may or may not kill and or invigorate your plants.

 

[jman,tokerforlife]

I was using molasses and it has kept bugs and fungus away,also changed the really skunky smell to a wierd coffee,mixed with something else cant explain it,but totally eliminated the bad skunky smell until i flush it back to it original smell,plus my buds got bigger Quicker..The smell masking thing is a bonus but smell was uncontrolable before molasses so its like a outdoor carbon filter,its cool as hell,hope this helps

 

[Smiley D]

W3rd Jman,

Thank you for pointing that out.

Like mentioned above, this is my first year running molasses and I am astonished at the lack of stank. I never put two and two together until I read your post.

I could always smell my gardens stinking from far away. This year I don't smell it until I'm pretty much right on top of it. Even still, absolutely no skunkiness, as most strains whiff at least lightly of skunk.

I can't say I detect coffee, but all the plants exude a kind of sickly sweet/vomit/pineapple aroma. Even though there are multiple strains, and they all smell different, there is still that sweet base note on all the girls.

I figured my majority of relatively benign smelling plants (master kush) had something to do with it, but I think you're right about the molasses. If you didn't read that and came up with that observation on your own. I salute you.

 

[Istaysmoking]

lol at everybody using molasses and having no idea why.

 

[Smiley D]

lol at everybody using molasses and having no idea why.

feed the soil, not the plant, br4h

True, I don't completely understand molasses.

But no idea? Let's not be a twat here, guy.

Molasses, depending on type, contains, in various amounts, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and some micronutes. Wowzers! I have no idea what a plant would do with that stuff.

I think the lack of understanding you perceive is the sugar content issue. Sure the plant can't directly access the sugar. But guess what!? The microbes in the soil can. And after they shit it out, guess what is waiting there to suck up all that shitty goodness? You? No, not this time. The plant does!!!!!hooray!!!!!11juan!!!

Are all of the effects understood? Such as the smell issue that was being discussed earlier, no, they are not.

What I do know is that this season has been fantastic, and molasses is the only new variable in the equation that I can think of.

Ever go down to the hydro shop and pick up some "super advanced nutrient bud fuckin booster super duper" for $20 a liter? Can you guess what the main ingredient is? Take a whiff, pour yourself a shot, you'll figure it out.

Molasses acts as a chelating agent, that fact alone should be enough.

Molasses is nothing new to organic gardeners.

The real lol is you, posting in my thread, and managing not to contribute anything. Sweet lyphe

 

[O4aUsErNaMe]

feed the soil, not the plant, br4h

True, I don't completely understand molasses.

But no idea? Let's not be a twat here, guy.

Molasses, depending on type, contains, in various amounts, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and some micronutes. Wowzers! I have no idea what a plant would do with that stuff.

I think the lack of understanding you perceive is the sugar content issue. Sure the plant can't directly access the sugar. But guess what!? The microbes in the soil can. And after they shit it out, guess what is waiting there to suck up all that shitty goodness? You? No, not this time. The plant does!!!!!hooray!!!!!11juan!!!

Are all of the effects understood? Such as the smell issue that was being discussed earlier, no, they are not.

What I do know is that this season has been fantastic, and molasses is the only new variable in the equation that I can think of.

Ever go down to the hydro shop and pick up some "super advanced nutrient bud fuckin booster super duper" for $20 a liter? Can you guess what the main ingredient is? Take a whiff, pour yourself a shot, you'll figure it out.

Molasses acts as a chelating agent, that fact alone should be enough.

Molasses is nothing new to organic gardeners.

The real lol is you, posting in my thread, and managing not to contribute anything. Sweet lyphe

Smiley D i am going to give you some plus rep for this.

i have not heard many growers here that have used that phrase "feed the soil to feed the plant"

molasses is a good chelating agent,it also contains beneficial trace elements.and the micro-organisms love it.

and it is the best way to create a sustainable organic garden environment ,

now to the fact that it is said to add size and weight in the final few weeks of flowering.
the flowers naturally get bigger in the final two weeks any way,does molasses do any thing to help(apart from the fact that it is doing good things to the micro-organisms and making your soil fertile)is any bodies guess....

 

[Smiley D]

Smiley D i am going to give you some plus rep for this.

i have not heard many growers here that have used that phrase "feed the soil to feed the plant"

molasses is a good chelating agent,it also contains beneficial trace elements.and the micro-organisms love it.

and it is the best way to create a sustainable organic garden environment ,

now to the fact that it is said to add size and weight in the final few weeks of flowering.
the flowers naturally get bigger in the final two weeks any way,does molasses do any thing to help(apart from the fact that it is doing good things to the micro-organisms and making your soil fertile)is any bodies guess....

Thanks man.

I never saw molasses as any kind of miracle sludge. Just as a natural and cheap way to augment the soil throughout the grow. Also as a way to extend fertilization almost up to harvest, something I wouldn't do with even the headiest ultra super organic commercial nutes.

My soil is heavily taxed throughout the season, anything organic I can throw at it to richen the mixture without harming the plants is game.

 

[Istaysmoking]

feed the soil, not the plant, br4h

True, I don't completely understand molasses.

But no idea? Let's not be a twat here, guy.

Molasses, depending on type, contains, in various amounts, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and some micronutes. Wowzers! I have no idea what a plant would do with that stuff.

I think the lack of understanding you perceive is the sugar content issue. Sure the plant can't directly access the sugar. But guess what!? The microbes in the soil can. And after they shit it out, guess what is waiting there to suck up all that shitty goodness? You? No, not this time. The plant does!!!!!hooray!!!!!11juan!!!

Are all of the effects understood? Such as the smell issue that was being discussed earlier, no, they are not.

What I do know is that this season has been fantastic, and molasses is the only new variable in the equation that I can think of.

Ever go down to the hydro shop and pick up some "super advanced nutrient bud fuckin booster super duper" for $20 a liter? Can you guess what the main ingredient is? Take a whiff, pour yourself a shot, you'll figure it out.

Molasses acts as a chelating agent, that fact alone should be enough.

Molasses is nothing new to organic gardeners.

The real lol is you, posting in my thread, and managing not to contribute anything. Sweet lyphe

my comment wasn't necessarily at you, there are countless threads on the benefits of using molasses, and as soon as somebody asks something semi in depth and non generic nobody says a peep.

 

[Smiley D]

my comment wasn't necessarily at you, there are countless threads on the benefits of using molasses, and as soon as somebody asks something semi in depth and non generic nobody says a peep.

I know what you mean. My response wasn't necessarily directed at you, but some of the kids around the forum that feel the need to tell everyone molasses is pointless.

And yes, I think the more in depth issues such as effects on plant odor, plant taste, and disease resistance/susceptibility need to be investigated.

 

[HIGHFLY]

Bout sum unsulfered mollases today cant wait

 

[ceilingbeds]

good posts here, pretty damn accurate too. I love it.

I found it searching for the answer to...."is sulfured or unsulfured molasses better for plants". that question i have still yet to find the answer.

My thoughts on this are that sulfur is obviously good for plants...so why is there even a confusion, and most people do seem to recommend unsulfured molasses...WHY???. I found a website talking about what kind of molasses is the best to use...but for food. and they were saying that concerns about the sulfur lead to many brands making unsulfured molasses. But there was no explanation of the concern? im pretty sure sulfur is bad for humans...maybe thats the simplicity of the concern. and if this is it, then my guess is dumbasses have adopted the "unsulfured molasses" that should be for humans into their garden, when they should have realized that sulfured molasses would be good for their plants because plants need sulfur....

or is sulfured molasses supposed to be worse because of the effects sulfur has when refining the sugar cane plant?? i dont' even know if sulfur is used...im kind o thinking off of the top of my head here.

any thoughts?

 

[dinkydigger]

good posts here, pretty damn accurate too. I love it.

I found it searching for the answer to...."is sulfured or unsulfured molasses better for plants". that question i have still yet to find the answer.

My thoughts on this are that sulfur is obviously good for plants...so why is there even a confusion, and most people do seem to recommend unsulfured molasses...WHY???. I found a website talking about what kind of molasses is the best to use...but for food. and they were saying that concerns about the sulfur lead to many brands making unsulfured molasses. But there was no explanation of the concern? im pretty sure sulfur is bad for humans...maybe thats the simplicity of the concern. and if this is it, then my guess is dumbasses have adopted the "unsulfured molasses" that should be for humans into their garden, when they should have realized that sulfured molasses would be good for their plants because plants need sulfur....

or is sulfured molasses supposed to be worse because of the effects sulfur has when refining the sugar cane plant?? i dont' even know if sulfur is used...im kind o thinking off of the top of my head here.

any thoughts?

when i first read about the molasses thing (not from this forum) i picked up some unsulfured (the only thing they had) and it made me wonder if i should have tried to find sulfured, since my research concluded that sulfur is beneficial to the plant...but yeah, people regurgitate everything they read on here.....all it takes is one person with a good grow who used "unsulphured" ( probably the only thing they could find like me) and anyone else on this site trying it and having good results....the reason you are not getting any actual feed back is because no one here has probably used sulfured molasses and just automatically think that it is wrong to use without having any understanding of it at all..