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Location

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Date Posted

Roseville CA

I have a few questions about Mollasas and sugar. Can I use sugar instead of Mollasas because they are both a source of sugar? Also, I was wondering why Sulferd Mollasas is not good?

Thanks,
Sankalp I

2/24/2022 12:40:31 PM

sulpher kills bacteria

2/24/2022 8:09:45 PM

Central Illinois

you can use sugar

2/25/2022 5:44:11 AM

Lodi, California

This is something I've been wondering about, the sulfured molasses argument. Yes Sulfur kills bacteria but I'm wondering, how much sulfur is actually in molasses? Does anyone know? Because there's a decent amount of sulfur in lots of people's soil. It makes me wonder about the validity of the claim that sulfured molasses is bad. I don't know personally, and I have no way of knowing whether it's a myth people came up with as a result of inferring that since sulfur can kill bacteria, then sulfured molasses kills bacteria. Would be interested in hearing what people think, if they have experience with sulfured molasses.

Also you can get molasses pretty cheap from feed stores. I don't know if it's sulfured though, so you better check before you buy

3/3/2022 10:10:15 PM

Central Illinois

It is Sulphur dioxide that is used as a preservative in molasses

3/4/2022 5:29:59 AM

Roseville CA

Ok, how come more people are not using sugar? just wondering.

3/4/2022 9:49:07 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Posting not as a heavy hitter, but as someone who has used ACT for EVERYTHING for many years and very pleased with the results.
Bacteria need simple sugars and proteins, and usually one of the easiest sources is unsulfured molasses.
Could you use sugar instead, absolutely. Fungi need more complex sugars like fish hydrolysate, kelp or seaweed. Some people create a mixture of both molasses and fungi food to create a good balance for both fungi and bacteria.
Below is a simple ACT recipe ( there are dozens ) just to illustrate the small amount of molasses/ sugar in comparison to the other ingredients including the water.

water- enough to fill a 5-gallon pail
2 cups fully finished compost ( I also add a sock full of soil from the garden
1 tablespoon unsulfured blackstrap molasses
1 tablespoon liquid kelp fertilizer (or soak kelp meal in water)
1 teaspoon liquid fish fertilizer

When finished I transfer the 5 gal batch to a 20 gallon container already filled with 15 gallons of water ( the carrier ) and apply immediately. I try do do it once a week.

You can use sugar, I prefer molasses.

3/5/2022 10:53:08 AM

South East

http://www.gardeningwithmicrobes.com/aact.shtml

This website has treasure of information on compost tea, recipes and brew times.

Explore and I,m sure you'd find lots of amazing info.

3/5/2022 11:45:12 AM

Arizona

My understanding is: Molasses is the best CONCENTRATED source of sugar. While brewing Aerated Concentrated Tea (A.C.T.).
If you use sulfur in your ACT that defeats the purpose. Small amounts of salt (Kelp) produce similar results under a microscope. Those additives serve a purpose in your soil, not your ACT.
A general rule of rotation during the season would be fertilize. If they are synthetic... (contains Salt and or Sulfur). Then, a few days later, you want your ACT to replace the microbial activity you have just killed.
If you do not use microbial killing additives to your ACT or soil, then you continuously increase the activity in your living soil.

3/8/2022 1:46:26 AM

Sea salt is now being added to some commercial teas to increase microbial activity.
https://seaagri.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/compost_tea_research.pdf

3/8/2022 7:20:21 AM

Roseville CA

Thanks for all the answers. I think I am going to use sugar because it is easier to find...

3/8/2022 12:12:58 PM

50 Acres

A sugar that I have used in my tea's is Agave Nectar from the health food store. You could check it out.

3/8/2022 1:19:09 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

26 West my Compost tea is 2 shots of Tequila, 1 shot of lime juice and 1 shot of agave. I like the results. :)

3/9/2022 7:25:27 AM

50 Acres

I think alot of us are going to switch. :>)

3/9/2022 8:19:16 AM

South East

Sugar easier to find? There's molasses at every walmart.

3/9/2022 2:19:28 PM

Denver, CO

Andy - what does ACT stand for?

5/11/2022 10:59:26 PM

Iowa

Believe it's either Aerated or Aerobic Compost Tea

5/11/2022 11:23:39 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Aerated, some use the acronym AACT, actively aerated compost tea. I’m surprised Tad 12 hasn’t chimed in, he is the guru of compost tea.

5/12/2022 5:28:04 AM

Denver, CO

Doh - should've been able to figure that out - thanks!

5/17/2022 7:09:03 PM

Seattle, WA

Have you checked at your local feed store or even grocery store? I can find uncultured molasses usually at both locations.

5/26/2022 4:29:26 PM

Seattle, WA

Sorry just saw the typo. Unsulfured.

6/2/2022 12:31:11 PM

Roseville CA

I will look in our local Walmart the next time I go. The reason I said sugar is easier to find was because it was closer to my home... I am going to start making compost tea soon!

6/2/2022 6:31:20 PM

Roseville CA

Sorry, i meant in our home...

6/2/2022 7:37:53 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Unsulfured molasses, it's everywhere, all you need to do is look. Seriously, I bought mine at the Superstore in the breakfast aisle, a gallon for under $10.

6/2/2022 9:35:45 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

There are lots of things a person can use for a sugar source in compost tea… real maple syrup is another one.. I even used fruit purée a few times … back strap molasses I think is what you are looking for in the cooking isle

6/3/2022 4:10:22 PM