Ground zero newbie grower.

ShadowKllr;923439 said:

I second that.... Good advise.

Click to expand...

"" Hey Screw,
Hogdaddy PM'd me askin what I knew 'bout molasses use. Seein as you're discussin in your journal, I figured I would post my info/experiences here. Hope that's cool with you. Hey Hog, hope this helps... LOL

Although some folks use it through the entire grow, I wait and begin introducing the molasses (1 teaspoon per gal/water) several weeks before triggering the flower run. Once the girls are under the 12/12, I increase to just shy of a tablespoon per watering. I do soil so I cant help ya in the hydro-department. I use Earth Juice Molasses because it is specifically designed for garden use. The grocery store stuff will work but myself, I don't trust it.

The reason I don't feed throughout the grow is because the molasses, IMO, is primarily a source of sugar & carbohydrates. which again, in my opinion, is most beneficial in the budding/flowering stage, not during plant growth. I experimented using it during the veg stage but personally didn't see any difference. The simple basic theory is that during the budding stage, the extra energy the plant needs is supplied by the sugar/carbs combination contained in the molasses. And based on my experience, it has a major effect.

As I explained in one of my posts, in my neck of the woods, the "fellas" use it expressly for weight gain and appearance for the resale market. So do I. The added sugar/carbos combo result in a heavier, tighter and more sticky bud. In our resale business, weight and "the look" go a long way. I also mentioned in the earlier post, it's the same principle as feeding livestock a high protein feed program to "fatten up" prior to market time.

I cant tell you the molasses will help grow larger buds or increase potency. IMO and based on my experience, that is more directly related to choice of strain and other variables ie; choice of nutrients, level of expertise, proper equipment/hardware etc. I can tell you if you get your plants to the bud stage, the molasses will definitely enhance the end product with additional weight and tightness and give a slightly sweeter flavor. That said, molasses or not, high grade product is still going to taste like high grade smoke, or at least it should. LOL

If your growing personal stash, IMO, molasses isn't really necessary but there are those who would argue the point. A few universities have done studies claiming molasses use improved yields when use during the entire plant growth period but they weren't growing "our" plant so you be the judge. On the other hand, you cant damage the plant if you choose to use it throughout. It doesn't burn a plant or have adverse effects of any kind that I am aware of but like I said, based on my experience, I choose not to.

There are those who believe the molasses helps throw more trichomes because of the sugar/carbs intake process and I go along with that to a certain extent but it is my belief the increased "stickiness is also a by-product of the bud processing the molasses. I would say mostly but I don't have hard proof. Either way, I reckon it's all good....Hope this helps... MF ""

This has got to be the missing link in most of the grows that I see on here.
It is very important that you give the plants a treat during the flowering stage of your grow.
Just like an athlete, you need to change their diet when you expect them to perform. I don't trust the synthetic versions (A'la natural is the way to go here), not to mention they are 3x's the price as plain ol' off the shelf Molasses. Just dissolve a tablespoon in some of your balanced water on the stove with a little heat (just warm the water, DON'T boil it). Just like making a simple syrup with any sugar for bartending, this will create a super-saturated solution that you can add WITH your nutes to your feeding solution.

Take a look at what happens to the buds!

You can actually SEE the crystals here with a bit a a brown tint to them. What do you think that is, Duh....
This has been a trade secret of the kief harvesters/growers for as long as I can remember.
Happy, happy, high, and I mean WAY up HIGH !
This is just common sense. YES?