Growing cannabis in soil is one of the most rewarding experiences someone could have growing anything. Once you discover the creativity and control you have over your soil you can unlock a plant’s full potential.
Soil is a fascinating subject because it is directly responsible for your plants’ health. It regulates nutrient bioavailability and helps regulate things like sugar production, root growth, pest control.
There are many organic compounds that you can add to your soil to increase its microbial activity.
Molasses in particular is an excellent source of nutrition for those microbes in your soil as it is dense with carbohydrates, something that those little microbes love eating. If you feed your soil then it will be able to uptake nutrients easier, which results in bigger buds for your harvest.
Molasses is a source of potassium (K) which encourages more efficient transporting nutrients, water, and carbohydrates; all necessary for heavy flower growth.
What is molasses and how can it help your cannabis buds
It all starts with sugarcane (or beets) and how sugar is made.
Molasses is a byproduct of this process as it is what’s left over after the crystalized sugar is collected.
There are many varieties of molasses due to the amount of boiling processes it is usually subject to.
These varieties vary in color, taste, and nutrition content; however, you’ll want to stick with unsulfured blackstrap molasses.
Blackstrap molasses is achieved as a result of the final boiling of the sugar cane and contains the most amount of nutrients, at the cost of sweetness.
Unsulphured molasses is beneficial as you don’t want sulfur in your soil as it can destroy the microbes that are growing.
The tiny microbes in your cannabis plant’s soil break down organic matter and make nutrients easily accessible to the plant when they need them.
If you supply them with more food than they usually have access to (by adding molasses) then they will work that much harder to improve the root system of your plant. The end result is a faster and more substantial nutrient uptake which will be shown in the plant.
How to apply molasses to your cannabis plant
Molasses can be applied to your cannabis plant all throughout the growing cycle, not just in the flowering stage. Mixing 1-2 tablespoons into 1 gallon of water should be sufficient enough for the molasses to dissolve.
The reason you want to start with such a small amount is so that you don’t give the plant nutrient burn. As your plant requires varying nutrient amounts at different stages of the life cycle, you will have to observe and adjust the formula.
You can apply molasses as a foliar spray though, be mindful that in the flowering stage it is never a good idea to use a foliar spray as it could alter the taste and look of your buds.
Using molasses in compost tea is an excellent way to feed your organic soil. Ensure you test it out on one of your plants, to begin with in case of any adverse effects.
It should be noted as well that too much of a good thing is generally bad. If you feed your plant too much molasses you will see nutrient burn and beyond that, toxicity that could kill your plant.
Molasses and terpenes
The science behind molasses indicates that terpene production would be influenced heavily in the flowering stage were you to use it.
Molasses is about 31 percent potassium, one of the vital macronutrients that the cannabis plant uses to create larger buds with bigger trichome sites.
The phosphorus that’s in the molasses increases the water transportation efficiency, which then increases the sugar production needed to create the terpenes.
There is a fine balance that needs to be achieved without doing serious harm to the plant. Ensure that you are using high-quality genetics that will be able to handle high amounts of nutrient input and you will get a larger yield with fatter buds.
Not just for baking anymore
As long as you are following all of the necessary steps to keep your plant happy then molasses should be a welcome addition to your cannabis grow to enhance the quality of your buds.
You won’t have any molasses-flavored bud inspiring new strain types, but you should have an incredible growing experience as you watch your flowers swell up in the later weeks of the grow.
