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Knopp, Germany

I have been holding onto this one for a while now for fear of sounding like an idiot, but here goes. I do not have access to the type of molasses that you do in the states. my questions is, would using regular old molasses on my patch now, about 5 weeks before planting have any positive side effects, or it it just plain and simply the wrong stuff? If there is a benefit, regardless of how small, what is the mixture rate? thanks, and embarressed owen :-)

4/7/2004 10:20:26 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

I've been having problems getting it too! I think I did but from what I can tell it's cane mollasses with some added items for making it stickier if thats possible to be mixed on the grain...If the essential ingredient is the cane mollasses then human consumption quality would just be more expensive...A jerry baker trick is the can of coke added to the sprayer...The sugar is what your after...but wait till the other guys chime in...these are just guesses on my part.
Chuck

4/7/2004 11:07:48 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

50lb bag dried molasses $25.00
Glenn

http://www.fertilegarden.com/ViewProductGroup.asp?ProductGroupID=129

4/7/2004 11:45:58 AM

wilmington,ma.

Glenn also at the co op across from topsfield fair!
27.00 40 lbs.

4/7/2004 3:37:34 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Chuck is right. Bacteria are non-selective when it comes to their sugar source.

Baking sugar, brown sugar, syrup (corn or maple)etc. all will work to kick start the biological activity in your patch.
I'd only use these 'substitutes' in the pre-plant stage though.

Early benefits - If there is any undigested leaf matter still in the patch it will assist in the break down.
Got a cover crop? It will help the break down after it's tilled in.

4/7/2004 4:58:48 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

The only sort of molasses you want to avoid is "sulfonated" where the sulfur is added presumably as a preservative. Bacteria like sugarry stuff so much that spoilage occurs rapidly. We *WANT* these bacteria. So efforts to retard them are counter-productive.

It might not be too outrageous to ship dried molasses to Germany. It's worth looking into at least.

Other "sweet stuff" like sucrose, corn syrup, fructose, etc might do in a pinch.

Cola, Soda, Pop (whatever), contains preservatives that will work against us for a while much like sulfur does in molasses. But these preservatives are all fairly short lived & wouldn't be the end of the world either way.

4/7/2004 8:53:00 PM

Taber, Alberta

Ooops. I just went out and checked my molasses and I stuck in the sulfured stuff. I put in about 1/2 gallon for 450 square feet. Am I in trouble, or did I just waste my time and money?
Alan

4/7/2004 10:21:59 PM

Knopp, Germany

Okay, I think I got it...I can use regular molasses, may be more expensive, but should work, also could use baking sugar, brouwn sugar, etc, as long as it doesn't have sulfur or other preservatives. Thanks for all the help with this one! Oh, I will check out that web site Glenn, thanks!

4/8/2004 1:22:44 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I'll stay on the manure side.

4/8/2004 2:39:04 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

I was making maple syrup with my kids when by mistake one of our large pans stayed lit all night long, outside of course. When we went up in the morning to re-light our fire we found the problem. The sap had turned into a thick bubbly goo that almost burned and past the stage of being good maple syrup. I was a bit upset until the light went on. Into the garbage can it went, filled and mixed with water and then sprayed on the patch. Instant molasses.

4/9/2004 12:46:06 PM

Deer Park WA

Ned Knows!

4/10/2004 1:31:24 AM

Montoursville, PA

Instant molasses with self induced carbon. :) :)

4/10/2004 8:59:27 AM