adding molasses to DWC without issues?

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S13hitman

Well-Known Member
Sugars feed good and bad bacteria as I recall, just want a little confirmation and suggestions.

14g bins. Single dwc.
Starting week 2 of actual flower and using GH 3 part.

I feed lightly as my plants seem happier then. My tap comes out at 82ppm. With the flora series, a little calimagic and 1/2 recommended dose of AN big bud. Just started big bud with weeks 2-4.
My ppm's come out at 700 give or take.

Had a slight iron deficiency and the calmag seemed to help a lot. But I'm thinking of adding the molasses and I'm worried it may cause some issues with my setup. I did see that it contains iron as well but I'm just concerned.
I have the wholesome organic brand. Will this cause any issues ladies and gentlemen?
 
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S13hitman

Well-Known Member
I tried surge once and made my plants smell like a dirty stripper. Seriously.... it was a type of molasses but with a lot more stuff in it.

Anyway, from what I've read up on, regular unsulphured molasses is just like bud candy.
 
Terry385

Terry385

Well-Known Member
Avoid anything "organic" in the nutrient water, that means extracts, vitamins, acids, and definitely no Carbohydrates (sugar). Organics feed brown slime algae as well as pythium "root rot". A simple pure synthetic (chemical) nutrient formula
 
blackforest

blackforest

Well-Known Member
S13hitman said:
Sugars feed good and bad bacteria as I recall, just want a little confirmation and suggestions.

14g bins. Single dwc.
Starting week 2 of actual flower and using GH 3 part.

I feed lightly as my plants seem happier then. My tap comes out at 82ppm. With the flora series, a little calimagic and 1/2 recommended dose of AN big bud. Just started big bud with weeks 2-4.
My ppm's come out at 700 give or take.

Had a slight iron deficiency and the calmag seemed to help a lot. But I'm thinking of adding the molasses and I'm worried it may cause some issues with my setup. I did see that it contains iron as well but I'm just concerned.
I have the wholesome organic brand. Will this cause any issues ladies and gentlemen?
Click to expand...
I used GH 'Lucas formula' in my last hydro grow which is micro and bloom only. Many believe that GH gro has too much iron in it, so I'm surprised to hear that you think you are having iron deficiencies. Maybe it's something else? You should not add molasses unless you have a beneficial bacteria in your system (bacillus), or else you will propagate pythium (root rot) instead.
 
Mr John

Mr John

Active Member
Not recommended in hydroponics! At least for me. I used blackstrap molasses in both Ebb/Flow and DWC and got nasty slimy roots. Never again. I can see where molasses is great for soil though but not Hydro. IMO.
 
panhead

panhead

Well-Known Member
Great way to end up with a pond scum rez , as said above dont do it you'll regret it .

If your having some micro nute deficiency throw in some botanicare hydroplex & bag the molasses .
 
v.s one

v.s one

Well-Known Member
I use flora nectar by gh contains 5%molasses 17%cane sugar for dwc. Works no slime just keep it aerated good. A.N carboload slimed me.
 
DirtyMcCurdy

DirtyMcCurdy

Well-Known Member
blackforest said:
I used GH 'Lucas formula' in my last hydro grow which is micro and bloom only. Many believe that GH gro has too much iron in it, so I'm surprised to hear that you think you are having iron deficiencies. Maybe it's something else? You should not add molasses unless you have a beneficial bacteria in your system (bacillus), or else you will propagate pythium (root rot) instead.
Click to expand...
Agree. I wouldn't use it without adding something like hydroguard to the mix. Even then... idk?
 
S

S13hitman

Well-Known Member
I do use GH subculture now to keep pythium in check and it seems to work well. Water temp is always 68-71 degrees.

Got tired of making tea although I would if needed. I understand that when making tea you can add a little molasses to feed the bacteria but I couldn't tell a difference. If I had a little too much mixed it made it smell really bad. So it sounds like I'll deal without it but I wanted to include that little bit more info about the subculture and where my water temp is which should keep pythium away.

Thanks for all the help, everyone is great.
 
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twistedwords

Well-Known Member
DO NOT put molasses in DWC. Molasses is not needed in hydroponic systems as there is no need to break down any organic material through enzymes to get to the plant. You must understand botany first to understand this is not necessary and will only cause you problems in your root zone. Hydroponics is a chemical(pure macro and micro) only nutrient and no breakdown is needed. The cleaner you keep your DWC with chemical nutrients only the easier it is. Don't try to overthink the growing as you can't. Nature has to take her course and you can only provide to the plant nutrients/ecosystem.
 
Alienwidow

Alienwidow

Well-Known Member
you can run it for the last week from what I've heard at the water cooler. the guy that told me to do it actually said the last two weeks but it will eventually kill the plant, I've never tested it. just figured id add some untested folk lore to the conversation :lol:
 
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