Indoor Question: To much molasses, need to flush?

[Janxster]

Hi,
I am using a soil of 45%coir, 45%compost, 10%vermiculite and have been doing a DIY Garrett Juice (See Dirt Doctor) That is

4 gal water
4 heaping garden trowel scoops compost
12 tbsp molasses
6 tbsp fish emulsion
4 tbsp liq kelp
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
PH is 6.3 after aerated for 24 hrs

So this week I added more molasses instead of Fish emulsion. The indoor Cheese Auto now looks droopy and sad. I also made other environmental changes like new tent and exhaust fan. The fan seems too powerful at low. Waiting on a rheostat. Another change was light. I raised for a day , from 31"-36", to troubleshoot new leaf twisting. Then just lowered down to 28".

So in all that should I run some plain water through, before scheduled watering, to wash out some of the molasses or just hold tight. I realize I need to not make so many changes at one time but it was like Christmas and I got a little excited...

Here is a new leaf shot from last week.

here is this am.

 

[hecno]

I am a soil grower , but I would say the molasses is the issue , that is a lot you used . I use it at 5 ml a liter , which would be around 15 1/2 ml per gallon .
I no nothing about Coir but I would think a flush is what is needed . https://www.autoflower.org/forums/grow-medium/ this is where you will get answers .

 

[Janxster]

I am growing in 45% coir and 45% manure compost. It is very alive. Still dialing it in. I’m trying to go soil and figured coir was just as good as store bought potting soil. It’s just a base for the organic matter. Thanks for the info.

 

[Arthur]

Molasses has no benefit to the plant. Only to the microbial life only If used very small amounts, and really only at the end. Too much molasses will suffocate the roots and kill your microbes. Best used in brewing teas.

Have run with and without. I'll stick without.

 

[Janxster]

I use in a compost tea. Specifically for soil biology, my soil is 3parts coir, 2 parts composted manure , 1 part vermiculite.
The molasses bottle and the fish emulsion bottle are the same shape an size so I added molasses instead of fish emulsion.

 

[Arthur]

Ah. That would have been helpful to know. Many are seen watering it directly in. The twisting and sag may be pH related. Did you check the tea pH prior to using? And how long after using were the pictures taken?

 

[Janxster]

I tested the ph prior and it was low in the 5.0 range. This was due to my air pump running out battery and no aeration. Usually if aeration is working ph gets to 6.3 in 24hrs. I was supposed to add fish emulsion after brewing, before application but add more molasses instead. 6 tbsp on top of the 10 tbs (sun). the pics were the next day (mon). I checked again today and the leaves are turning from dark green to light green and splotchy (wed). I ran 2 gallons of plain water last night (tue) trying to dilute or flush the sugars. At this point I I think I need to leave it alone for a few days. Thoughts?

 

[Arthur]

With no aeration no microbes reproduce. pH rises as microbe colonize the tea. The molasses isn't used if no microbes to eat it... I think the issue is the low pH, not the molasses.

 

[Arthur]

But issue could be exasperated by the molasses, as at that pH, the microbial life in your medium is unable to use it either, possibly smothering the root zone.

 

[Janxster]

My soil ph is at 6.2. I think you are correct. The lack of microbes was evident by the ph. My tea starts out at 4.7 but raises to 6.3 after aeration for 24hrs. Once I saw the air had stopped and ph was low I should have started over with brewing or skipped it. Thanks for clarifying and helping me think it through.
At this point is there anything to do except wait and stop messing with it?