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Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

O.K the instructions that came along with my Fish and Kelp fertilizer recommend adding 1/4 cup Molasses for every cup of fertilizer used, to increase brix level. So what is Brix and does it help a pumpkin. I have heard of measuring brix before?

6/2/2003 2:56:04 AM

Chesterfield, MO

I just looked it up real quick on google and this is what I found...Brix refers to the sugar and mineral levels in the tissue of a plant. Increased pest and disease resistance can be attributed to higher brix levels. In addition, high brix levels also increase frost protection, as plant sugars (alcohols) have a lower freezing point. I couldn't really find much information but hope this helps!

6/2/2003 3:12:11 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Shannon, sounds like a natural sugar enhancement...good bacteria builder...sounds like a jerry baker thing...can of coke,can of beer,tsp liquid detergent, tobacco chew brew etc....

6/2/2003 8:15:27 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Molasses also helps to feed the beneficial bacteria in soil. Chuck & I (& others) have added these bacteria to our soils by applying organically derived commercial preperations. These too would benefit from the Molasses.
Chuck, I'm adding Molasses to the next ProMax application. With my 20.4% Organic Matter, I probably don't need it. There's plenty of good stuff for the bacteria to do already. But I can't see as it will hurt so what the heck?
I'd keep it off the foliage though. Seems to me it might attract critters with a sweet tooth ;>)

Steve

6/2/2003 8:26:54 AM

Western NY

brix levels are considered by some as a true register of the overall health of the plant. i know one guy who will quite seriously tell you that if you get your brix levels in the plant high enough (above 12 or so), you won't need to add any insecticide. this is because it means your sugar levels are jacked up high enough that any insect that eats your plant will get such a sugar spike in their stomach (they can't digest them like we can), that the little buggers will actually ferment from the inside out and die from alcohol poisoning. neat stuff. anyway, most of us don't have access to the equipment needed to test the levels, but it really doesn't cost too much i think.

Andy

6/2/2003 8:27:09 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Andy,
I've read where some peircing insects (aphids?) may cause *more* damage if brix levels are too high & pH are too low simultaneously. Interesting stuff. This is not true of most insects as I understand it though.

There are some cheaper refractometers out there for as little as $60. I can't say as I know they work. But there is a virtual cult like following of "brixers".

Steve

6/2/2003 10:11:58 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Molasses with the Fish and Kelp fertilizer it is then. Thanks Guys.. Now my Pumpkin Patch will smell like cookies and day old fish guts. :)

6/2/2003 11:37:11 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yikes Shannon!!! temperature compensating Refractometers with large digital display and wice grip handles for extracting sap!!! Pappy You'll love this!

6/3/2003 12:33:24 AM

Montoursville, PA

Many years ago the first Organic Gardening books had sweetners pin pointed as excellent food for all sorts of good things, just do it! With that I started to use soiled honey and end of run maple syrup that got put in the garden or fed to the hogs.

Just found out tonight I was a brixer. Sum of a brix!

6/3/2003 2:07:01 AM

White Plains, NY

I would be careful as to the amount of Molasses/Sugar(s) used. As a vice detective I was keeping a 9' tall marijuana plant alive for a court case. I and others dumped coffee containing sugar in the plant's soil. In time it died and had quite a smell. The soil was loaded with maggots.
So be careful out there with your sugars.

6/3/2003 2:58:54 PM

North Ga

I keep some brix out back Chuck, but no way I'm throwing them on my plants!! LOL.. Capt. why did you put coffee on a pot plant? Trying to give it a buzzzzzz!!

6/3/2003 3:49:00 PM

Montoursville, PA

Hey that's one way to move from Capt. to branch manager.

6/3/2003 9:50:07 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Coffee grounds have a strong acidifying effect on soil. Coffee probably would too.

I believe this is like any other plant management strategy. Balance is always the key.

Steve

6/4/2003 7:02:22 AM

Western Pa.

I'll bet you had to take that 9' plant out back and burn it!

6/4/2003 7:32:53 AM

Pulaski Tn blkcloud@igiles.net

i heard a bunch of stories why people were growing pot..but this one takes the cake!!

6/4/2003 8:21:20 AM

Pulaski Tn blkcloud@igiles.net

several years ago our police chief had a pot plant in his office on display that they had confiscated.. somebody stole it..

6/4/2003 8:31:30 AM

White Plains, NY

Steve no coffee grounds only the remaining liquid in a cup.

I was thinking of starting another investigation as to why I was only losing the tips of branches?

6/4/2003 9:01:57 AM

North Ga

LMAO Capt.!!!

6/4/2003 9:45:51 AM

Pulaski Tn blkcloud@igiles.net

i'd check to see if you have any co workers named Bud..

6/4/2003 10:40:57 AM

Ga.

hmm,,dumping coffee on,,pinching tips from plant,,and another vice cop named "Bud"...
LOL...Why you pinch the tips Capt.????

6/4/2003 2:10:22 PM

White Plains, NY

Seems to be a lot of experts out there.

As a side bar one of my brothers (another law enforcer) brought our Mother a plant. Mom said it was a beauty but didn't know what it was called but it was about 3'tall and very full. She got a stand and put it at her front window. As I lived some distance away I didn't see the plant until 3 weeks later. Yup, it was a beautiful pot plant. Mom couldn't believe what it was and explained all her tender loving care as I the bad son destroyed the plant. The delinquent brother had quite a laugh over it.

6/4/2003 9:32:59 PM

Pulaski Tn blkcloud@igiles.net

its sad to say but if i had done that i'd be facing 11-29 in the county motel..i've often though how i'd like to be a po-leese.. drive as fast as you want..do u turns in the middle of town.. all the FREE beer you can drink, extra cash in the bathroom under the sink when you walk into the beer joint,women offering you dates instead of getting a ticket..getting shot at, cussed at, spit on..bit,kicked,head butted..man..and here i'm a machinist

6/5/2003 8:54:30 AM

Buffalo, NY

I grow some tomatoes, peppers & melons with high brix #'s, mostly 11-13. As for the peppers, Stokes Seeds recommends to keep a watchful eye on the hi-brix variety as it will attract more insects/pests.

Mark

6/7/2003 12:04:18 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Thanks Mark, for Staying on the subject. How are those tomatoes growing.

6/7/2003 7:26:39 AM

Buffalo, NY

Still in pots, may get into the ground this weekend, weather hasn't been cooperating. If anybody is close to me looking for heirloom tomato plants, e-mail me, got about 45-50 different varieties left. Also about 15 pepper types & 1 or 2 melons/watermelons. Thanks.

Mark

6/7/2003 11:49:21 AM