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formerly RGG

For the past few years I have been ordering and using molasses on my melon plants to feed the soil microbes. I order 5 gallon buckets of black-strap molasses over the internet and that keeps the price relatively low.This year I have been adding about a pint to a 55 gallon drum and a 33 gallon trash can so about a pint to approximately 88 gallons. From observing a booming earthworm population and the obvious good health and fast growth of my companion marigold plants I think the molasses are having a very positive effect on my soil. Here is a link to purchase 5 gallons for $26.49 plus shipping:

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/golden-barrel-5-gallon-sulfur-free-blackstrap-molasses/125BLKSTPP.html

Are any of you other growers feeding the microbial population in your soil and if so what are you feeding ? I have also worked fish meal and alfalfa into my soil and like I said it is teeming with life so I believe I am headed in a good direction.

5/31/2015 10:36:14 PM

Grant, AL

Hi Dennis! I am using a product called Biocozyme. It is made by Grow More and it increases microbial activity but it also contains cytokinins among other things. It is derived from alfalfa meal, blood meal, and several other ingredients. It also claims to increase cell division which should help these melons grow faster.

5/31/2015 10:54:13 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Dennis, I purchased molasses at the local feed store.

6/1/2015 6:25:13 AM

formerly RGG

Hi Charles, Matt D (the mad scientist) who is a big time pumpkin breeder and grower says call division occurs only during the first two weeks post pollination and after that it is cell expansion which can equal up to 10,000 times the original cell size. If that is true then the first two weeks is certainly the most important segment of time in the life of a giant pumpkin or watermelon in our case. It sounds like a good product Charles, will you kindly add a link to the company you purchase Grow More from ?

6/1/2015 6:41:27 AM

formerly RGG

Thanks Stevann, I am able to purchase 50 pound bags of dried feed grade molasses at my local co-op but they don't seem to carry the liquid type. I think dried molasses makes excellent food for soil microbes also.

6/1/2015 12:08:05 PM

Grant, AL

Dennis, several online hydro stores sell it but the easiest place to find it is on Amazon. It says it is derived from cytokinins, hormones, vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes. It also contains the good stuff I mentioned above. It says it is 100% organic and it helps plants absorbs nutrients better.

6/1/2015 1:37:58 PM

formerly RGG

Biocozyme sounds like really good stuff Charles. Thanks for letting me know about it.

6/1/2015 5:44:58 PM

Peru

I use dried cane molasses, works great also helps with transplant shock. I pay 14.00 for a 50 lb bag. Really makes your garden smell great, I just hope it doesn't attract varmits to the patch.

6/17/2015 7:40:03 PM