Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

Montoursville, PA

The rate of application on black strap molasses is about two ounces per gallon with two gallons going onto the fully vined or leaf developed 1000 sq. ft. patch.

There is a relationship between fish and molasses that is a natural builder one to the other into a better combination offering. It can be added to kelp or fish with no difficulty.

You may use a good deal more in fall prep and early spring tilling to boost conversion to humus and humates.

1/1/2004 6:03:28 PM

Engel's Great Pumpkins and Carvings

I'm starting to get frustrated trying to find authentic Black Strap at a fair price around here.

Dwaine, what is Cattle grade molasses selling for in PA?

Steve

1/1/2004 8:56:30 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Dont you guys have a farm supply store Steve? They sell it for treating Silage. Real Cheap

1/1/2004 9:15:14 PM

It's not easy to justify a real farm supply store when there is only 1 working dairy farm left in Fairfield County now. Sad. I'll either have him special order me some or just mail order some. Any links?

1/1/2004 11:07:24 PM

southern

Appalachian Mtns.

Steve,
I live in cattle and tobacco country and I can't find the authentic thing either. Dimwits around here act like they don't know what I'm talking about and try to sell me the molasses used for deer hunters.
Very strange.....

1/2/2004 7:08:35 AM

kilrpumpkins

Western Pa.

Tremor,

I get it for $2 a gallon.

1/2/2004 8:53:02 AM

Montoursville, PA

My cost here is from a bonefide farm store at $3.00 a gallon. At $9.00 a gallon in the Sporting Goods Stores with all the distribution and advertising cost added....not to mention at least two more points of distribution on the way to the market.

If any of you happen to be in big time honey making country soiled honey or outdated honey may be a possible consideration. This is getting away from one of the qualities of molasses....from corn, from the earth but still a source of sugar and some other goodness.

Dried Molasses is really not dried molasses. It is cattle grade molasses sprayed or otherwise coated onto grain market residuals. This is not a bad second choice but it can not measure up to the goodness of the real McCoy.

Think anything else in your neighborhood that might be high sugar or syrup that might soil or spoil therefore becoming a possible use target for you. I'm not trying to lead you away from the best...just trying to maybe find you at least a little part of plan "B" while you search for the real stuff.

1/2/2004 10:32:31 AM

Montoursville, PA

I know Craig Lembke has and sells black strap molasses. His pricing may be investigated but could not possibly be anywhere near the low end prices in direct real farm country. Anyone who resells...and that is most services, of this nature, has to have his daily bread built in, or he would have no reason, for the season. Conversly his cold pressed fish is at least the finest product at most competitive pricing. Maybe you could parlay the fish and the molasses into a nice purchase suitable to your needs.

1/2/2004 10:39:18 AM

Big Kahuna 26

Ontario, Canada.

Steve 7 bucks Can. for 10L. plus jug deposit.
Check local country hardware stores they may carry it. Try a tack shop, riding stable or stock yard they may be able to guide you.

1/2/2004 10:53:28 AM

john boy

virginia

i got 5 gallons at southern states.....for 6 dollars.......13 cents a pound.....greg

1/2/2004 12:09:10 PM

stewee

Wood River, Nebraska

Will molasses also act as a spreader sticker when combined with pesticides?

1/2/2004 1:31:02 PM

Engel's Great Pumpkins and Carvings

Not correctly. It might make the spray look like it's laying out flat. But not in the proper angular correlation to the leaf cuticle. In other words; the Molasses will interfer with contact & adhesion.

Anyone know the pH of a 2% Molasses spray? That would afttect some chemicals too.

It seems to me the greatest benefit of Molasses is to the bacteria that breath life into our soils. While probably no harm to the foliage, I doubt there would be much to gain from leaf contact either.

I could be wrong though. Are there available plant nutrients in Molasses? I hadn't considered that aspect before.

Steve

1/2/2004 2:36:50 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Molasses is very high in Potassium 0-0-9 . When I contacted Drammatic Corp they sent me some data and recommended Molasses. They also sent a nutrient sheet with the feed grade molasses, although cant find it at the moment.

1/2/2004 7:05:09 PM

Montoursville, PA

Any sugar base is a carbohydrate that will feed and stimulate microorganisms. Black Strap Molasses is best because it also carries with it sulfur, potash and many trace minerals. Howard Garrett, Dear Dirt Doctor give it the values 1-0-5. Those of you with fire ants can chase them out of the area using molasses. It is also a carbon source. It's hard to equal the value of Black Strap. I would consider the nine dollar a gal. as a medium price and go with it anyway. There are always differences like this accross the country for various reasons. Don't let a few bucks get in the road of your use of at least some of the best. 'Ya can not cheep cheep your business of doing the best you can for your soil improvement. Cripes some guys pay fifty bucks for ten ounces of poison to spew about their kingdoms. You likely will use two whole gallons on a 1000 sq. ft. patch over the whole growing season.

1/2/2004 10:11:01 PM

dave(7)

mcminnville oregon

saw some mole holes inn the garden, when i got down and looked innto them, guess what i found???? molasses !!!!

1/3/2004 1:30:38 AM