Kelp and molasses

FresnoFarmer

FresnoFarmer

Well-Known Member
Molasses can be great food for microbes. A little too great, because if you use too much it can and will tie up nitrogen in the soil. Like the other poster said, 1 tsp per gallon should be fine. You using liquid kelp or dry kelp?
 
T

Troyboy43

Member
T macc said:
You can use both but dont go overboard with either. A tsp of molasses once or twice a week will be enough to feed the microbes. Kelp is something I would top dress and water in over time
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Now when using molasses do I use when feeding as well watering?
 
T macc

T macc

Well-Known Member
Are you just feeding with the extreme blend? You can use it eith that. But as fresnofarmer was saying, too much sugar can cause problems.

I use kelp4less' super soil with good success. Just made another batch with their potting mix. Was an expensive batch recently, but so far its looking good. I would suggest their soil amendments if you go full organic
 
T

Troyboy43

Member
T macc said:
Are you just feeding with the extreme blend? You can use it eith that. But as fresnofarmer was saying, too much sugar can cause problems.

I use kelp4less' super soil with good success. Just made another batch with their potting mix. Was an expensive batch recently, but so far its looking good. I would suggest their soil amendments if you go full organic
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I feed with flora nova but I do mix the extreme blend with it and with watering I use that mix
 
Dr. Who

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
FresnoFarmer said:
Offsets carbon to nitrogen ratio and causes a massive micro herd bloom. The microbes tie up all of the nitrogen available in the soil in order to break down the excess carbon. Or at least that’s what my understanding of it is.
Click to expand...
Correct!

Use of molasses is way over blown!

If you MUST add it.....Only once every 2 weeks please.
It will NOT effect terps like some think. Other nutrients in their sulfate form do that much better!

Dry kelp is best used by mixing in your soil and cooking that soil for at least 2 weeks...
Kelp soil amendment (depending on the soil content) can increase root production by as much as 170% +. I think it was U of South Carolina research found that out, years ago.

Kelp extract and use can over supply micro nutrients and screw your soil too. Once a month is nice here.

Best way to deliver the benefits of molasses? Make a simple bio AACT and use it every 2 weeks or even less...

Over blooming the micro heard is a method I got deep into some years back. It does work but, you had better drop your nutrient feed ratio;s by 50% to start. Adjustment will be needed.
This is a long and mind bending road to take. The work load increase does not justify the result.

@Troyboy43
It is wise to follow the idea that less is more!
The idea that more is better? Will cook your plants!
 
FresnoFarmer

FresnoFarmer

Well-Known Member
Dr. Who said:
Correct!

Use of molasses is way over blown!

If you MUST add it.....Only once every 2 weeks please.
It will NOT effect terps like some think. Other nutrients in their sulfate form do that much better!

Dry kelp is best used by mixing in your soil and cooking that soil for at least 2 weeks...
Kelp soil amendment (depending on the soil content) can increase root production by as much as 170% +. I think it was U of South Carolina research found that out, years ago.

Kelp extract and use can over supply micro nutrients and screw your soil too. Once a month is nice here.

Best way to deliver the benefits of molasses? Make a simple bio AACT and use it every 2 weeks or even less...

Over blooming the micro heard is a method I got deep into some years back. It does work but, you had better drop your nutrient feed ratio;s by 50% to start. Adjustment will be needed.
This is a long and mind bending road to take. The work load increase does not justify the result.

@Troyboy43
It is wise to follow the idea that less is more!
The idea that more is better? Will cook your plants!
Click to expand...
I use molasses for my compost only now. I now use fish hydrolysate, rice bran and barley as food source for microbes in my AACT instead and see much better results. Having an easier time keeping my aerobic this way, as I am brewing large batches. They would go sour fast if I didn’t get to them in time when using molasses.
 
Dr. Who

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
FresnoFarmer said:
I use molasses for my compost only now. I now use fish hydrolysate, rice bran and barley as food source for microbes in my AACT instead and see much better results. Having an easier time keeping my aerobic this way, as I am brewing large batches. They would go sour fast if I didn’t get to them in time when using molasses.
Click to expand...
Ever do, or have someone do living bio count's?
The farm has a 900 gal Vortex and we use natural carb source's also. We have now put those on 2 more of our organic farm co-op locations.
Of course for the grows....I use home made 5 gallon vortex brewers... For ease of use and to not change my known nutrient end value. I use a specialty high carb baking molasses. I can get it at my local rest/baking supply company.

You should also note that the use of Kelp meal's in making AACT is very detrimental to living bio count's! Kelp meal formula's will have as much as >40% less living bio's in the final tea.
Tip -O- the hat to my friends at "vortex" for that research info...
 
Nutty sKunK

Nutty sKunK

Well-Known Member
FresnoFarmer said:
Offsets carbon to nitrogen ratio and causes a massive micro herd bloom. The microbes tie up all of the nitrogen available in the soil in order to break down the excess carbon. Or at least that’s what my understanding of it is.
Click to expand...
Fascinating! Explains why my plants showed N deficiencies after molasses.


Dr. Who said:
Correct!

Use of molasses is way over blown!

If you MUST add it.....Only once every 2 weeks please.
It will NOT effect terps like some think. Other nutrients in their sulfate form do that much better!

Dry kelp is best used by mixing in your soil and cooking that soil for at least 2 weeks...
Kelp soil amendment (depending on the soil content) can increase root production by as much as 170% +. I think it was U of South Carolina research found that out, years ago.

Kelp extract and use can over supply micro nutrients and screw your soil too. Once a month is nice here.

Best way to deliver the benefits of molasses? Make a simple bio AACT and use it every 2 weeks or even less...

Over blooming the micro heard is a method I got deep into some years back. It does work but, you had better drop your nutrient feed ratio;s by 50% to start. Adjustment will be needed.
This is a long and mind bending road to take. The work load increase does not justify the result.

@Troyboy43
It is wise to follow the idea that less is more!
The idea that more is better? Will cook your plants!
Click to expand...
Good info on the kelp!

Just when I thought too many microbes couldn’t be a bad thing!

Thanks guys!
 
FresnoFarmer

FresnoFarmer

Well-Known Member
Dr. Who said:
Ever do, or have someone do living bio count's?
The farm has a 900 gal Vortex and we use natural carb source's also. We have now put those on 2 more of our organic farm co-op locations.
Of course for the grows....I use home made 5 gallon vortex brewers... For ease of use and to not change my known nutrient end value. I use a specialty high carb baking molasses. I can get it at my local rest/baking supply company.

You should also note that the use of Kelp meal's in making AACT is very detrimental to living bio count's! Kelp meal formula's will have as much as >40% less living bio's in the final tea.
Tip -O- the hat to my friends at "vortex" for that research info...
Click to expand...
No. I haven’t done a bio count. I really should. Yeah I don’t use kelp or anything in my AACT. I’ll make an a separate alfalfa/kelp tea during the first stages of flowering, and sometimes a nutrient tea if any deficiency pops up.
 
T

Troyboy43

Member
Dr. Who said:
Correct!

Use of molasses is way over blown!

If you MUST add it.....Only once every 2 weeks please.
It will NOT effect terps like some think. Other nutrients in their sulfate form do that much better!

Dry kelp is best used by mixing in your soil and cooking that soil for at least 2 weeks...
Kelp soil amendment (depending on the soil content) can increase root production by as much as 170% +. I think it was U of South Carolina research found that out, years ago.

Kelp extract and use can over supply micro nutrients and screw your soil too. Once a month is nice here.

Best way to deliver the benefits of molasses? Make a simple bio AACT and use it every 2 weeks or even less...

Over blooming the micro heard is a method I got deep into some years back. It does work but, you had better drop your nutrient feed ratio;s by 50% to start. Adjustment will be needed.
This is a long and mind bending road to take. The work load increase does not justify the result.

@Troyboy43
It is wise to follow the idea that less is more!
The idea that more is better? Will cook your plants!
Click to expand...
Awesome thanks for the info
 
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