Kelp and molasses
- Thread starter Troyboy43
- Start date
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?
Dry kelp
Ok thanks
it’s a blend called extreme blend from kelpforless great product
FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
I would topdress with it if you’re not into teas.
And run molasses by itself
FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
Yeah. I don’t mix the two really.
NeWcS
Well-Known Member
Good stuff right there!
Now when using molasses do I use when feeding as well watering?
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
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
I feed with flora nova but I do mix the extreme blend with it and with watering I use that mix
Nutty sKunK
Well-Known Member
How does it tie upnitrogen?
FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
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.
Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
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
Well-Known Member
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
Well-Known Member
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
Well-Known Member
Fascinating! Explains why my plants showed N deficiencies after molasses.
Good info on the kelp!
Just when I thought too many microbes couldn’t be a bad thing!
Thanks guys!
FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
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.
Awesome thanks for the info