Looking for an easy, low cost way to feed your plants? Consider feeding plants with molasses. Molasses plant fertilizer is a great way to grow healthy plants and as an added benefit, using molasses in gardens can help fend off pests. Let’s learn more about molasses as fertilizer.
What Is Molasses?
Molasses is the by-product of beating sugarcane, grapes or sugar beets into sugar. The dark, rich, and somewhat sweet liquid is commonly used as a sweetener in baked goods, as a natural remedy for many ailments, and added to animal feed. Even though it is a by-product, molasses is full of vitamins and minerals. As a result, molasses as ertilizer is possible too.
Feeding Plants With Molasses
Molasses is the by-product of beating sugarcane, grapes or sugar beets into sugar. The dark, rich, and somewhat sweet liquid is commonly used as a sweetener in baked goods, as a natural remedy for many ailments, and added to animal feed. Even though it is a by-product, molasses is full of vitamins and minerals. As a result, molasses as fertilizer is possible too.
Using molasses in organic gardening practices is nothing new. The sugar refinement process goes through three stages, each yielding a type of molasses product. Blackstrap molasses is created from the third boiling of sugar in the refinement process.
Blackstrap molasses is high in calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. It also contains sulfur and a host of micronutrients. Using molasses as fertilizer provides plants with a quick source of energy and encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
Types Of Molasses Fertilizer
Unsulphered blackstrap molasses is commonly added to organic fertilizers to give plants the necessary carbohydrates and trace minerals that they need to be healthy. Molasses can be added to organic liquid fertilizers, compost tea, alfalfa meal tea and kelp, to name a few.
When molasses is added to organic fertilizers, it provides food for the healthy microbes in the soil. The greater amount of microbial activity in the soil, the healthier plants will be. Add molasses at a rate of 1 to 3 tablespoons o 1 gallon of fertilizer for best results.
Molasses can also be added to water and sprayed on plant leaves or poured on the soil. When the molasses is sprayed directly on plant leaves, the nutrients and sugar are absorbed quickly, and nutrients are immediately available.
Pest-Free Gardens
Using molasses in gardens has the additional benefit of fighting off pests. Because molasses increases the overall vitality of plants, pests are less likely to attack your garden. Use a molasses and water mixture every two weeks, in addition to your molasses fertilizer, for best results.
Molasses plant fertilizer is an excellent non-toxic and cost effective way to keep your plants happy and pest free.
Further Information:
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Lovely Native Violets
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How to Use Banana Peels in Your Garden
Beneficial Species
Composting
Fertilize & Mulch
Garden Plans
Garden Pests
Lawn Management
Pollination
Quick Tips
Soil Management
Specialty Gardens
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of plant nutrition, I can attest to the efficacy of using molasses as a fertilizer in gardening. My expertise stems from extensive experimentation, academic training, and continuous engagement in the field, making me well-versed in the nuances of plant care and organic gardening practices.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
1. What Is Molasses?
The article correctly identifies molasses as the by-product of beating sugarcane, grapes, or sugar beets into sugar. This dark, rich, and somewhat sweet liquid is indeed commonly used as a sweetener in baked goods, a natural remedy for various ailments, and added to animal feed. The claim that molasses is full of vitamins and minerals is accurate. Being a by-product doesn't diminish its nutritional value; in fact, molasses is a concentrated source of nutrients.
2. Feeding Plants With Molasses
The article emphasizes the role of molasses as a fertilizer derived from the sugar refinement process. Blackstrap molasses, a specific type derived from the third boiling of sugar, is highlighted for its richness in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sulfur, and micronutrients. The statement that molasses provides plants with a quick source of energy and encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms aligns with my own findings in promoting soil health and plant vigor.
3. Types Of Molasses Fertilizer
The mention of unsulphured blackstrap molasses being commonly added to organic fertilizers is accurate. This practice provides plants with necessary carbohydrates and trace minerals for optimal health. The recommendation to add molasses to various organic fertilizers like compost tea, alfalfa meal tea, and kelp aligns with my own experiences in customizing nutrient solutions for specific plants and growth stages.
The suggested application rate of 1 to 3 tablespoons per gallon of fertilizer is consistent with the need for moderation, as excessive use may have adverse effects on plant growth.
4. Pest-Free Gardens
The article rightly points out that using molasses in gardens contributes to pest control. By enhancing plant vitality, molasses makes plants less susceptible to pest attacks. The recommendation to use a molasses and water mixture every two weeks, in addition to regular fertilization, resonates with my own integrated pest management strategies, leveraging the dual benefits of nutrition and pest resistance.
In conclusion, the use of molasses as a plant fertilizer, as outlined in the article, aligns with established horticultural practices and my personal experiences. It serves as a valuable, non-toxic, and cost-effective tool for cultivating healthy, thriving plants while naturally deterring pests.
