From

Location

Message

Date Posted

South East

mollases helps the proces get started in teas and soil, is there another biological em activator?

12/7/2006 7:19:32 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Cook, brown sugar and other natural sweets. Maple syrup, Honey are two good ones that are easy to find.

12/8/2006 1:37:15 PM

Utah

how about beet-pulp ? from processed sugar beets.
all my local farm supply stores carry beet pulp (horse feed) but they all look at me crazy when I ask for molasses.

12/8/2006 2:53:26 PM

Gordon,,, the reason that the beets are usually processed is for the sugar,,I would think that pulp might be an additive for composting but won't get you what you want for the "sugar's" that we are looking for to feed the bacteria.

Feed store folks always looked at me crazy,now they are asking me what I use some of these things for, funny how a little "press" gets peoples attention,,,heh heh.

Ask what the end product is from that processing and follow that lead it might get you what you need,,,my line of thinking anyway.

The fact is most of the mollasses made in other countries comes from sugar beets(did you catch that Frank?)and is a little different in the type of "sugar". I am trying to find a source for it here as I have read that both types supply different "food" for different beneficial bacteria, i.e. I want to feed them all if possible.

12/8/2006 3:17:28 PM

Western NY

i know someone that uses maple syrup

12/8/2006 3:26:10 PM

President - GPC

Beets very high in Potassium, if thats what you need then its got lot 4 U.

12/8/2006 3:31:09 PM

I have talked to a chemist about using honey instead of molasses. She is a bee keeper. She said that she did not think honey would be a good substitute for molasses because
it is in the proxide family and may defeat your purpose in making compost tea. Might be something to think about.

Frank

12/8/2006 3:51:21 PM

southwest MO

Sounds like a real good waste of real maple syrup and honey to me. Try the brown sugar or regular white sugar. Acetic acid is a really good activator. Its a source of carbon the bugs can get to very easily.

Dave

12/8/2006 4:12:42 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I have some experimental fertilizer here (9-1-2) that was derived from Beet molasses. Very cool stuff but haven't used it on pumpkins yet. So far I've only fooled around with bedding plants.

12/9/2006 1:43:01 AM

Mocksville, NC

How about sorgum, or caros syrup?

12/10/2006 4:09:15 PM

milford, CT,

Just my 2 cents but before antibiotics honey was used to keep bacteria from growing on wounds in the 1700's. If you ever looked you'll notice nothing grows in a honey jar even if it's left out. It may be counter productive to the biology of the tea. Mark

12/15/2006 10:54:33 PM

Montoursville, PA

You may find and name and use substitutes for Black Strap Molasses but you will not find equals. There have been endless posts supporting it's modest use, it's content in the soil and very modest use in foliar programs.

Search this site alone and you will be reading for the next week.

12/19/2006 9:40:24 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

another Jerry Baker idea is the after the party clean up...all the clunkers go into the pot...all the old half filled soda cans and beer cans go into the pot...pour it all together and mix in your garden sprayer...works great...add some "chewing tobacco tea" and a little dish washing soap and you lawn will love it..sugars, yeast,bug deterent and surfactant...really old beer and old coke syrup is great for a molasses substitute.

12/19/2006 11:26:39 PM

ordinary,VA

old coke syrup!

12/20/2006 3:48:36 PM

Montoursville, PA

WHAT IS ANYWHERE EQUAL TO THIS at .20 -.30 cents a pound? THIS IS BLACK STRAP MOLASSES. Heavy Mill Run Cane Molasses

Brix spindle 86.0 degrees, 11 -12 pounds per gallon, Nitrogen 1.01%, Crude Protein 6.30 %,total sugars 48.3%.,density (as fed) 11.8 lbs/gal,Dry matter 76.5% Moisture 23.5 % Asj 16.0%, Organic Matter 62.5%, Reducing substances, as Dextrose 11.5%, Fructose 5.6 %, Glucose 2.6%,PH 4.9 -5.4, calcium 0.8%, Phos is negligible, Potassium 4.2%, chloride 2.1%, magnesium 0.27%, Sulfur 00.78%,sodium 0.9%, copper 14 ppm, 130 ppm, Manganese 5 ppm,
Zink 8 ppm, Colbolt, Iodineand Selenium, negligble, Biotin3ppm,Folic Acid 0.04 ppm, Inositol 6000 ppm, Calcium Pantothenate 60ppm, Pyridoxine 4 ppm, Riboflavin 2.5 ppm, Thiamine 1.8 ppm, Niacin 500 ppm and Choline 700ppm. The Carbon to Nitrogen is aprox. 27/1.

This report as published by the United States sugar Corporation, Molasses and Liquid Feeds division.
This is the "real deal". No TV kinks, tricks, no incorrect opinions or showbiz chat here.

2/1/2007 1:24:53 PM