Molasses and Cannabis: A Sweet Combination for Grow Big Buds

Share via:

Molasses and Cannabis: A Sweet Combination for Grow Big Buds

If you are looking for a natural and organic way to boost your marijuana plants’ health and yield, you might want to consider using molasses. Molasses is a thick, dark, and sweet liquid that is a byproduct of sugar production. It contains many minerals, vitamins, and sugars that can benefit your plants in various ways. In this blog post, we will explore its benefits, when and how to apply it, and we will answer some frequently asked questions about molasses and cannabis.

What Are The Benefits of Molasses for Cannabis?

Molasses works by feeding the beneficial microbes in the soil, which in turn feed your plants. The sugars in molasses provide a source of energy for the microorganisms, while the minerals and vitamins enhance their growth and activity. The microbes then break down organic matter and release nutrients that are readily available for your plants. By using molasses, you can improve the quality and diversity of your soil life, which can have various benefits for your plants, such as:

Increasing nutrient uptake and availability
Improving soil structure and water retention
Enhancing root development and health
Boosting plant immunity and resistance to pests and diseases
Stimulating growth and flowering
Improving bud size, density, and potency

When to Start Giving Molasses to Cannabis Plants?

You can use molasses throughout the entire life cycle of your plants, but it is especially beneficial during the flowering stage. This is when your plants need more energy and nutrients to produce big and potent buds.

You can start adding molasses to your watering schedule when you switch to a 12/12 light cycle to induce flowering. You can continue using it until the last week before harvest when you should flush your plants with plain water to remove any excess nutrients and improve the taste.

How to Use Molasses for Cannabis Plants?

There are different ways to use molasses for your plants, depending on your growing medium and method. Here are some general guidelines:

For soil growers: You can add molasses to your regular watering schedule, or use it as a foliar spray. A common dosage is 1-2 teaspoons of molasses per gallon of water, once or twice a week. You can also mix molasses with other organic fertilizers or additives, such as compost-tea, worm castings, or kelp extract.
For hydroponic growers: You can use molasses as a supplement during the flowering stage when your plants need more sugars and carbohydrates. A common dosage is 1/2 teaspoon of molasses per gallon of water, once a week. You should also flush your system with plain water every two weeks to prevent clogging or salt buildup.
For coco coir growers: You can use molasses as a soil conditioner, to improve the buffering capacity and microbial life of your medium. A common dosage is 1 teaspoon of molasses per gallon of water, once a week. You should also flush your medium with plain water every two weeks to prevent nutrient lockout or salt buildup.

Is Flushing Cannabis with Molasses a Good Practice?

Flushing is the process of rinsing your plants with plain water before harvest, to remove any excess nutrients or salts that may affect the taste or potency of your buds. Some growers believe that flushing cannabis with molasses can enhance the flavor and aroma of the final product, by providing extra sugars and carbohydrates to the buds.

However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and flushing with molasses may actually do more harm than good.

What Is The Best Molasses for Cannabis?

The best kind of molasses for growing cannabis is unsulfured blackstrap molasses. This is the most natural and nutrient-rich type of molasses, as it is derived from the third boiling of sugar cane juice, and does not contain any additives or preservatives.

Unsulfured molasses has a high concentration of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and other trace elements that are beneficial for your plants. Avoid using sulfured molasses, which is treated with sulfur dioxide to prevent fermentation, or refined molasses, which is stripped of most of its nutrients and minerals.

Tips and Tricks for Using Molasses for Cannabis

Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of using molasses for your cannabis grow:

Use filtered or distilled water to avoid adding any unwanted chemicals or minerals to your soil or hydroponic system.
Use an air pump or an aerator to oxygenate your water before adding molasses. This will help prevent anaerobic conditions that can cause bad smells or mold growth.
Use a pH meter or test strips to check the pH of your water after adding molasses. Molasses can lower the pH of your water, so you might need to adjust it with some lime or baking soda to keep it within the optimal range for cannabis (6.0-7.0).
Use a refractometer or a Brix meter to measure the sugar content of your water after adding molasses. This will help you monitor how much food you are giving to your plants and microbes. The ideal Brix level for cannabis is around 12-15%.
Experiment with different types and amounts of molasses to find what works best for your plants and your growing environment. Some growers use molasses throughout the entire grow cycle, while others use it only during the flowering stage, while others use molasses as a standalone supplement, while others combine it with other organic additives or fertilizers.

What Are Some Other Natural Ways to Boost Marijuana Plants?

Molasses is not the only natural way to boost your plants. Here are some other natural methods that you can try:

• Compost tea:

This is a liquid fertilizer that is made by steeping compost in water. It contains many beneficial microorganisms that can improve the soil quality and nutrient availability of your plants. You can make your own tea or buy ready-made ones from gardening stores or online.

• Kelp extract:

Kelp extract is a liquid fertilizer that is extract from seaweed. It contains many trace elements, amino acids, hormones, and enzymes that can benefit your plants in various ways. It can help your plants grow faster, stronger, healthier, and more resistant to stress. You can find kelp extract in gardening stores or online.

• Bat guano:

Bat guano is a natural fertilizer that is made from bat droppings. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and other nutrients that can boost your plants’ growth and yield. It can also improve the soil quality and microbial activity by adding organic matter to the soil. You can buy bat guano from gardening stores or online.

Molasses is a Sweet Treat for Your Plants!

Molasses is a sweet and natural way to improve the health and yield of your marijuana plants. It can provide many benefits for your soil, buds, and overall plant performance. By using molasses correctly and choosing the right product, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of flavorful and potent buds. Happy Growing!

FAQs - Molasses and Cannabis

Does molasses give you higher cannabis yields?

Yes, molasses can give you higher cannabis yields by stimulating the flowering and fruiting of your plants by providing them with more sugars and hormones. Molasses can also increase the resin production, terpene content, and flavor and aroma of your buds.

Is molasses good for cannabis growth?

Yes, molasses is good for plant growth by improving the soil quality and microbial activity by feeding the beneficial bacteria and fungi in the soil. Molasses can also enhance nutrient uptake and availability by acting as a natural chelator and providing many micronutrients.

What are the advantages of molasses on cannabis?

One of the main benefits to use molasses for weed is that it provides a natural source of carbohydrates, which can boost the energy and metabolism of the plants. Carbohydrates are essential for the production of sugars, starches, and cellulose, which are the building blocks of plant cells. By providing extra carbohydrates, molasses can help cannabis grow faster, stronger, and more resilient.

Another benefit of molasses for cannabis is that it contains a high amount of calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium, which are important micronutrients for plant health. Calcium and magnesium are involved in the regulation of pH, enzyme activity, and cell division. Iron is essential for the synthesis of chlorophyll, which is responsible for the green color and photosynthesis of plants. Potassium is involved in water balance, nutrient transport, and stress resistance. Molasses can also improve the quality and flavor of cannabis buds, as it enhances the production of terpenes and cannabinoids.

Should I use molasses on cannabis seeds?

Molasses should not be applied directly to the seeds, as it can damage them or attract unwanted organisms. Instead, molasses can be mixed with water and used to soak the seeds before planting or added to the soil after planting.