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Oz

can u use brown sugar?

8/19/2003 1:10:07 AM

Montoursville, PA

Cattle Grade Black Strap Molasses is about $3.00 a gallon.
A product of the cane industry, is very high in natural minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. Adding it with any liquid organic based or organic fertilizer will increase sugar levels thus improving plant resistance to chewing and sucking insects. It is an excellent food source to energize the biological life in soil.

It in addition can stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms on the leaf surface. These fre9endly microbes help fight off the harmful pathogens. Whether this can be proved is beside the point: just accept it...it works.

Spraying on damp, humid mornigns or evenings increases the effectiveness of foliar sprays. Healthy plants fight off minor damages by insects and fungi. You may use less fertilizers and harmfull poison applications....or you may cause growth support that pushes growth intellegently during heavy growth periods.

Good growing weather conditions are a mandated neccessary presence to realize these results. Loading up on plants that can not at the moment use the applications is a waste as well as possibly creating an overdose buildup. Cut back during long periods of gray dull weather.

I would think brown sugar would have some of the same benefits but would cost a good bit more money. One TV name gardener amazes us with the use of Coke, in his treatments.

8/19/2003 8:21:52 AM

Montoursville, PA

Black Strap Molasses added to your insecticides at the rate of two ounces to a gallon will serve as a sticker and magnet to draw in many insects who will then get zapped by your contact insecticide. You still get the above benefits directly through the leaf. Offer those insect boogers a candy coated leaf. :)

8/19/2003 8:29:26 AM

Ga.

Doc,,not knocking what you are saying,,but I'd like to know how many others in BP have tried this and had sucess...Been a member here at BP for 3 yrs now,,and this year is first time I've heard this..Any one else out there using this method??

8/19/2003 8:47:38 AM

Oz

what about ants? and the kind they have at co op is dehydrated..
and could i use it?
would it plug a large od drip system?

8/19/2003 12:42:55 PM

White Plains, NY

I would think any sugar and milk products would invite Rats, Deer, Raccoons, and every other varmint.

8/19/2003 12:51:10 PM

Chester Co., PA

There was some interesting information on 'Brix' levels back in June at this link:

http://bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=10&p=39448

8/19/2003 2:23:43 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I have been using 1 cup Fish and Kelp and 1/4 cup Molasses as a foliar once a week. As recommended by Drammatic fertilizer to increase Brix. No Cucumbers Beatles at all. The only problem I have is the molasses turns really syrupy in a hose end sprayer. There are a few foliar fertilzers out there that are derived from molasses. The molasses also feed the soil microbes much needed carbohydrates, which increseas activity. Check the internet for more info. Shannon

8/19/2003 4:53:22 PM

churchville, ny

Shannon- 1 cup Fish and Kelp and 1/4 cup Molasses foliar - in how much water? Thanks Tom

8/19/2003 7:16:35 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Some fish and Kelp fertilzers have different recommended dilution rates. Mine is 2 ounces to a gallon. So that would be 1Tbs of molasses for each gallon of water. We will see when it comes weigh off time if I go heavy. Then maybe a few people will change there minds. I am sure some peole were sceptic about kelp too. Shannon

8/19/2003 8:38:37 PM

Ga.

I'm curious is all Shannon..You got my attention,no cuke beetles,,hmmm,,,wrapped up here right now...Interesting...Thanks for sharing..

8/19/2003 8:44:32 PM

Montoursville, PA

Anyone who would like reference to the use of molasses as a substancial supporter in the biological condition of the patch only needs to read more organic based books. What you read here is almost a direct copy of a bulleton put out by AGRO-K on molasses and foliar spraying. You may investigate the fact, philosophy and healthy patch management by contacting AGRO-K.

It does not surprise me at all that little talk of this nature has reached this board. There are only two choices one can make. Use larger and larger amounts of synthetic products to create a sicker and sicker patch or begin to study ways to build a stronger and stronger healthy patch.

Two things will happen one of which will be the choice of the soil manager. One we say the soil wore out. Stated properly we nuked it into poor ballance and poorer production. Or two we built it to a better ballance each year and it just continues to get better needing less and less synthetic applications of anything.

In one instance we treat the symptoms and get temporary results. On the other hand we strenthen the value of the soil and its biological ballences. The choice is pretty much that of the soil manager.

Molasses is just a small inclusion of a total healthy soil building program.

8/19/2003 9:36:10 PM