Getting the most out of the grow plants is always a challenge. And when it comes to choosing among the best fertilizers, the challenge increases tenfold.
Here’s the thing-
The opportunity cost of choosing the wrong fertilizer at the wrong time can be huge. And it can really impact your yield. And most of the time people get confused between two popular options: bud candy and molasses.
Now between Bud Candy vs Molasses, which one should you use?
Bud Candy and Molasses can be used interchangeably to grow plants. They provide the grow buds with nutrients and increase the plant’s energy reserves. Bud Candy is a commercial product whereas Molasses is a natural product used by farmers for generations.
But there’s more to these two fertilizers. Like applying which one at which time brings in the best results, etc. So, let’s stop wasting time and jump right into the details-
What are Bud Candy and Molasses?
You’re still fresh on the boat in grow gardening, which has forced you to listen to more experienced gardeners. You’ve heard the words Bud Candy and Molasses used interchangeably but have no idea what they are. So, what is bud candy?
Bud Candy is basically an organic fertilizer. It’s classified as a biomineral fertilizer since it contains cranberry extract, grape seed, malt, and fermented yeast. It’s often used in the cultivation of grow plants. Moreover, it promotes the growth of larger buds, rich in aromatic resin. Thus, it’s popular among grow farmers.
Now coming to Molasses, you’ll discover it’s a brown liquid with a sweet taste. This provides the plants with energy and nutrition. It’s also used in baking, confectionery making, and the production of rum.
Detailed Analysis: Bud Candy vs Molases
You’ve heard about Bud Candy. You’re wondering whether to use it. So, for your ease here’s a detailed bud candy analysis. Bud Candy features a unique sugar blend. They provide plants with helpful microorganisms.
This promotes microbial growth and reproduction, resulting in larger colonies. Plus, it boosts the beneficial microorganisms in the root zone. You’ll find that your plants will benefit from disease resistance and higher nutrient uptake.
Moreover, it raises the sugar levels and provides an energy boost at crucial stages like mid-flowering. As a result, the size and weight of your crop will grow. The chemicals, especially the magnesium in it add to overall growth.
Molasses is usually taken as a sugar substitute. But is it used in the growth of crops?
Yes, molasses, when used as a fertilizer, supplies plants with an immediate supply of energy. Molasses frequently contain preservatives, fungus inhibitors, antibiotics, and additional sulfur. The additional potassium also improves the plant’s ability to fight illness and increases crop production. Molasses also has the added benefit of repelling pests.
Price
If you look it up on the internet you’ll discover a wide range of prices that tends to vary depending on quantity and quality. A 1-liter bottle of Bud Candy costs around 26 dollars or higher. The price depends upon purchase location. It can easily be bought from any major online store.
You can easily buy molasses from any supermarket. However, if you want to make it on your own then check out our guide to make molases at home. If you’re not looking to make it yourself then you can easily buy a ton for 125 – 152 USD.
Nutrition
We have covered the nutrients that plants require in varying stages of growth. The plants require these nutrients to create energy and conduct photosynthesis.
| Nutrients | Plant requirements (Seedling) ppm | Plant Requirements (Budding) ppm | Plant Requirements (Sprouting) ppm |
| Magnesium | 50 | 60 | 60 |
| Nitrogen | 80 | 300 | 100 |
| Potassium | 140 | 215 | 200 |
| Phosphorus | 40 | 60 | 70 |
| Zinc | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
Nutrients in Bud Candy and Molasses
The nutrients that are found in Bud Candy and Molasses have been presented in tabular form for your ease of reading.
| Nutrients | Bud Candy | Molasses |
| Manganese | N/A | 1 mg |
| Magnesium | 0.025 mg | 242 mg |
| Copper | N/A | 0 |
| Vitamin | N/A | 8% |
| Potassium | N/A | 1464 mg |
| Iron | N/A | 4 mg |
| Calcium | N/A | 205 mg |
| Phosphorus | 0 mg | 31 mg |
| Sodium | N/A | 37 mg |
| Zinc | N/A | 0.29 mg |
| Carbohydrate | N/A | 74000 mg |
| Sugar | N/A | 55000 mg |
| Water | N/A | 21900 mg |
| Glucose (dextrose) | 4000 mg | 11000 mg |
Availability
Luckily for you, Bud Candy is sold almost everywhere in North America. However, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has prohibited the selling of Bud Candy in the state.
Want to know the best part about molasses? It’s readily available worldwide so you’ll not have much trouble finding it.
However, if you don’t wanna go through the hassle, buy them from amazon.
Feeding Schedule
Let’s check out the feeding schedule of these two fertilizers-
Bud Candy
So, you recently purchased a bottle of Bud Candy. However, you’re unsure how much to apply. Fret not, we’ll go through the bud candy dosage.
During the flowering period, you should apply 2 ml of Bud Candy per liter of water into the reservoir. From the first to the sixth week of the budding phase. It provides your plants with carbohydrates, amino acids, and vitamins. It promotes stronger roots and faster floral development.
In the spring, fertilizer is routinely applied to edible crops. Before planting, incorporate it into the garden soil. If you’ve already sown seeds you’ll need to gently apply granular fertilizer around the plants. Because molasses is a natural fertilizer, the timeframe outlined below can be followed.
Now, if you’re applying liquid fertilizers then you should keep the overall humidity into consideration. To tackle that, you should think about a proper ventilation system.
Molasses
You’ve heard that molasses can be used as a supplicant. But perhaps you aren’t sure about when to apply and about the necessary amount. So, what’s the molasses feeding chart?
You should apply molasses during the growing season. Use 0.5 cup/1,000 square feet. Use warm water to dissolve the molasses. To keep molasses from clogging the sprayer. Employing two teaspoons of molasses per gallon of water is the prescribed amount.
Shelf Life
By now, you probably know all the benefits of bud candy. Wondering about its shelf life. So, What is the shelf life of Bud Candy?
You’ll discover that Bud Candy is a type of fertilizer in the form of a liquid. It has a shelf life of nearly ten years. If you store the product properly, it can last for a long time.
Unfortunately, molasses has a short shelf life. If you have an unopened can of molasses, you can keep it at room temperature for a year. After opening it, you can use molasses for up to 6 months.
Versatile Usage
Bud Candy is a product designed exclusively for grow plants. You’ll find that it’s extremely popular among marijuana farmers. You can apply it to the soil too.
Now you may wonder about the specific plants that require Molasses. So your question might be, What can you use Molasses for?
Molasses can be used for both bakings and as animal feed. Lighter grades of sugarcane molasses can be used in baking, confectionery, and making rum. Blackstrap molasses and other cane molasses are used in animal feed as well.
It’s also employed in a variety of fermentation processes as a microbiological energy source. Moreover, it’s used to cultivate yeasts, molds, and bacteria that convert carbohydrates into alcohol.
Pet/Child Safety
Do you’ve concerns about Pet/Child Safety regarding Bud Candy? Well, it’s understandable. But, should you be concerned about your child drinking Bud Candy?
Yes, you should have some concerns since nothing is more important than the protection of your children and household pets. You should read and follow the label’s directions. You will find the label instructions address application rates and practice that is advised.
But you need not have this concern about Molasses since they’re traditionally a sugar substitute. If your child takes some in small amounts you need not worry. Since it’s not harmful to humans. But in the case of pets, you should take some precautions so that they don’t take it. Not all pets have the same level of sugar tolerance. So, it’s better if you talk to the vet about this.
Smell
If you smell Bud Candy you’ll discover it does not have a distinctive odor. Instead, it usually smells sweet. There should be no odor because you will be blending it with water. You can use bud candy without fear of attracting pests. Your bud sweets should not pique the interest of your neighbors. If you’re concerned about pests you can be rest assured bud candy doesn’t attract pests.
When you smell molasses you’ll find they have different odors depending on their grade and type. If the molasses is of high grade, it should have a burnt sulfury sweet aroma.
If it spoils, it’ll emit an unpleasant odor. Molasses sprayed directly on plants are absorbed quickly. The plant’s sugar content increases after it’s ingested. It should not attract your neighbors’ attention. Since it would not impact their gardens or smell bad.
Usage
Bud Candy and Molasses are applied to help with the plant’s overall growth. But applying too much of the product may harm the plant.
Bud Candy
After opening a bottle of Bud Candy you’ll discover it’s a liquid fertilizer. When your plants are at the blossoming stage, you’ll apply the bud candy. It’s intended to be used as a flowering enhancer and stimulator.
It also supplements your regular hydroponic base nutrition from week 2 of blooming to 3 weeks before harvest. You might find issues with the smell that Bud Candy has. While comparing bud candy with tiger bloom, we didn’t find this issue.
Molasses
Here’s the deal with molasses, it has been used as a fertilizer. It also has the added virtue of repelling pests. Pests are less likely to assault your garden because molasses enhances plant vigor. You should combine molasses with water and spray the mixture every two weeks over your plants.
How to Make Molasses at Home
You’re probably thinking why should I buy molasses when I can make it. So, How to make molasses?
If you surf the internet you’ll find molasses is often created from sugarcane or sugar beet juice that has been cooked until it forms a syrup. After the sugar crystals are extracted and have been developed the dark viscous liquid that remains is molasses.
Ingredients Required:
These ingredients are needed to make molasses at home.
- 4 liters sugarcane juice
- 4 kg sugar beets (finely chopped)
- 2 cups of water
These products can be bought easily online or at the supermarket.
Process 1: If You’re Using Sugarcane Juice
Follow the process mentioned below if you’re using sugarcane juice.
- Fill a kettle halfway with sugarcane juice. Then bring it to a boil,
- You should bring down the fire. Then boil it for 6 hours. You must continue to stir it at regular intervals. On the surface, a layer of green stuff may form. It should be skimmed with a large spoon.
- Molasses color will shift from green to yellow. Thick strands will develop at times. The heat should be turned off at this point.
- Depending on the consistency and type of molasses desired, you can boil it a second and third time. It’s possible to obtain light molasses during the first boil. Dark molasses, on the other hand, is obtained from the second boil.
- Pour the molasses into an airtight container while it’s still hot if you’re happy with the consistency. If you’re pouring it into a glass container, make sure to heat it first, or your container will break.
The process has been broken down for your ease. Try not to skip any steps.
Process 2: If You’re Using Sugar Beets
Follow the process mentioned below if you’re using sugar beets.
- Cut the sugar beets into fine chops and cover with water.
- Stir the mixture every 5 minutes to keep the sugar beets from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the beets from the heat as soon as they get tender. Then drain the beet water through a sieve into a container.
- Fill a second pot with the gathered beet water. Then, heat it to a boil until it thickens into a syrup.
- You don’t have to throw away the sugar beets. It can be saved for later use.
- Remove from the fire and set aside for 30 minutes to cool. The syrup should be of good consistency now.
The process has been broken down for your ease. Try not to skip any steps.
Pros & Cons
We have covered the Pros and Cons related to Bud Candy and Molasses. So you will be able to evaluate the best product for your use.
Bud Candy
The list may seem small. However, it covers all the important points.
Pros
These are the benefits of using Bud Candy.
- Provides plants with nutrients that help them grow.
- Can be bought from the store.
- Easy to use
However, there are some negatives that you must keep in mind. Let’s take a look.
Cons
These are the problems associated with using Bud Candy.
- Expensive
- Made primarily for grow plants.
Now, that we’ve covered Bud Candy, let’s take a look at Molasses.
Molasses
Molasses, although highly useful, have some cons. Don’t worry we have also covered the pros.
Pros
The benefits associated with applying Molasses have been covered.
- Cheap
- Can be made at home
- Plants are protected from pests when using molasses.
Although Molasses have fewer cons compared to Bud Candy, it still has negatives.
Cons
The drawbacks of applying Molasses have been covered.
- May subsequently cause instability in soil pH.
The cons may not seem like much but they can cause problems when growing plants.
Which One is Better?
Bud Candy is a liquid fertilizer specifically designed for grow plants. Provides nutrients and vitamins to the plants. This results in larger buds and increased growth. However, the product is pricey. If you use it too much, it will reduce your profits. My recommendation is that unless you’re a grower, you’re better off not using the product.
On the other hand, if you use molasses it will be useful for a wide range of applications. It’s inexpensive. It can also be used as organic fertilizer. It’s also simple to make at home.
Here’s a short summary of these fertilizers-
| Image | Product Name | Cost | Suitablity | Get It Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Bud Candy Fertilzer | Expensive | Specially enginnered for grow plants | Get It Now |
  | Grandma's Molasses | Inexpensive or homemade | Can be used as organic fertilizer, animal feed or sweetener | Get It Now |
FAQs
Do you still have doubts regarding Bud Candy and Molasses? For your ease, we have answered common questions regarding the two.
Can you use molasses with Bud Candy?
The same is true for other nutrients, boosters, and additives. They should never be combined in a concentrated form. Each fertilizer, booster, or supplement should be added to your reservoir or feed water one at a time.
Do molasses add weight to buds?
Feeding molasses to your plants is the equivalent of eating junk food sweets. This will make your marijuana buds heavier.
When should I start using Bud Candy?
Bud Candy raises the sugar levels in plants, which not only boosts harvest growth and weight. It also boosts and enhances the scent and flavor.
Can I use Bud Candy in soil?
They are purified for use in hydroponics, but they can also be utilized in soil. In reality, any nutrient certified for hydroponics can be used in the soil as well.
Bottom Line
Bud Candy vs Molasses. The fight between traditional vs modern fertilizer. One is simple to make at home. The other needs to be bought from a corporation. We have covered all the information regarding Bud Candy and Molasses.
Do you’ve any further thoughts or anything you’d like to share? If so, let us know in the comments.