Grow More Mendocino Honey – 1 Gallon

Grow More Mendocino Honey is a liquid carbohydrate and trace-element supplement derived from molasses, yucca extract, seaweed extract, and Montmorillonite clay. The NPK is 0.46-0.26-1.83, with Montmorillonite contributing over 70 trace elements. It is formulated for use in soil, soilless, coco, and hydroponic systems throughout the entire crop cycle, applied as a soil drench, foliar spray, or reservoir additive at 1–2 tsp per gallon of water.

Mendocino Honey Specifications

Specifications below are drawn from the guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, and attribute data confirmed through the cultivate_supply canonical listing (SKU GR17537), the monstergardens.com product page, and the milehydro.com product description.

Specification	Value
Brand	Grow More (Gardena, CA; est. 1918)
SKU	GR17537
NPK ratio	0.46-0.26-1.83
Total Nitrogen (N)	0.46% (Ammoniacal 0.07%, Nitrate 0.23%, Water-insoluble 0.16%)
Available Phosphate (P₂O₅)	0.26%
Soluble Potash (K₂O)	1.83%
Key active mineral	Montmorillonite (source of 70+ trace elements)
Derived from	Molasses, yucca extract, yucca schidigera, seaweed extract, Montmorillonite
Product form	Liquid concentrate
Application rate (general)	1–2 tsp (5–10 mL) per gallon every 1–2 weeks
Application rate (foliar)	1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of finished spray solution
Application rate (hydro reservoir)	1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of reservoir water
Compatible media	Soil, soilless, coco, hydroponics
Available sizes	1 qt, 1 gal, 2.5 gal, 6 gal
Shipping weight (1 gal)	11.4111 lb

Why Choose Mendocino Honey

The points below are drawn from the canonical supplier description, the guaranteed analysis, research data from monstergardens.com, and the milehydro.com product listing. They describe what Mendocino Honey does and why a grower might add it to an existing feeding program.

• Supplies organic carbon and carbohydrates to the root zone. Mendocino Honey’s molasses base provides a naturally sweet carbohydrate source that feeds the root zone and supports beneficial microbial populations in the substrate. Carbohydrate supplementation can increase the carbon availability around the roots without requiring a complete shift in base nutrient program. The organic carbon content complements the nutrient environment established by a standard NPK base fertilizer, adding a biological energy source that synthetic salt-based nutrients do not supply.
• 70+ trace elements from Montmorillonite clay. Montmorillonite is a phyllosilicate mineral clay known for its high cation exchange capacity and its broad trace element profile. Including it in Mendocino Honey means growers receive over 70 trace elements—including those not typically present in standard nutrient programs—in a single additive application. This differentiates Mendocino Honey from plain molasses-based carbohydrate supplements that carry no mineral clay component.
• Increases brix levels for enhanced sweetness and aroma. The carbohydrate and potassium content (K₂O 1.83%) in Mendocino Honey supports brix development in fruiting and flowering crops. Higher brix is associated with improved sugar content, flavor, and aroma in finished produce. The seaweed extract component also contributes plant growth factors that complement the carbohydrate profile.
• Compatible with all major growing media and application methods. Mendocino Honey is formulated to be used in soil, soilless mixes, coco, and hydroponic reservoirs. It can be applied as a soil drench, foliar spray, or tank-mixed with existing fertilizer. This makes it a flexible additive that does not require a dedicated media or system type.
• Broad crop compatibility across vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. The compatible crop list spans field crops, row crops, fruit and nut trees, grapes, vine berries, flowering shrubs, bedding plants, ground cover, ornamental perennials, indoor and outdoor herbs, container plants, and landscaping. A single bottle of Mendocino Honey can be used across different growing projects without needing to purchase a separate carbohydrate supplement for each crop type.

Best Uses for Mendocino Honey

Use cases below are derived from the application rate data, compatible media list, compatible crop list, and application methods confirmed through monstergardens.com and milehydro.com.

• Carbohydrate supplementation in soil and soilless media. The primary application for Mendocino Honey is as a periodic carbohydrate and trace element drench for plants grown in soil, peat-based, or perlite-amended soilless mixes. Apply 1–2 tsp per gallon of water every one to two weeks as part of a regular watering cycle. The molasses and organic carbon content feeds beneficial soil bacteria and fungi that build a healthy rhizosphere around the root zone.
• Hydroponic reservoir supplementation. Mendocino Honey is one of the few molasses-derived carbohydrate products formulated specifically for use in hydroponic reservoirs. Apply 1 tsp per gallon of reservoir water and change the nutrient solution weekly to prevent excess sediment accumulation. Growers running recirculating systems who want to add a carbohydrate energy source without switching to a product that would clog emitters or foul the reservoir can use Mendocino Honey within these guidelines. If you are also using a root-development additive such as Advanced Nutrients Tarantula, Mendocino Honey can complement it in the early stages by providing carbohydrate energy to the microbial populations Tarantula introduces.
• Foliar feeding for trace element delivery. At 1 tsp per gallon of finished spray solution, Mendocino Honey can be applied as a foliar spray to deliver trace elements and the yucca schidigera wetting agent component directly to leaf tissue. Yucca schidigera acts as a natural surfactant, improving spray coverage and adhesion. Apply foliar sprays during lights-off or in low-light conditions to avoid leaf burn from the concentrated carbohydrates on wet foliage.
• Brix enhancement during flowering and fruit set. The relatively high potassium content (K₂O 1.83%) alongside the carbohydrate input makes Mendocino Honey useful during the transition into flowering and through the fruit-set period for fruiting crops. Higher brix readings in the plant tissue correspond to increased sugar content, improved flavor, and enhanced aroma in harvested fruit or flowers.
• Tank-mixing with existing base fertilizer programs. Mendocino Honey does not need to replace any part of an existing base nutrient program. It can be added directly to a fertilizer tank alongside standard NPK fertilizers and other compatible additives. Growers who already have a nutrient program and want to add a carbohydrate/trace-element component without restructuring their feeding schedule can use it as a straightforward tank-mix addition. For growers looking to build a more complete soil biology program, pairing Mendocino Honey with an organic molasses product like Earth Juice Hi-Brix Molasses provides complementary carbohydrate sources with different mineral profiles.
• Coco coir and perlite media during the entire crop cycle. Coco coir media does not retain the native microbial community of amended soil, but introduced beneficial microbes benefit from an exogenous carbohydrate source. Mendocino Honey provides that carbon input across both vegetative and flowering phases without disrupting the inert buffering properties of coco.

Mendocino Honey vs Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is the most common DIY carbohydrate supplement used by growers seeking a low-cost alternative to formulated products. Understanding how Mendocino Honey compares to raw blackstrap molasses helps clarify what the formulated product adds beyond the base carbohydrate content.

Mendocino Honey (this product): A formulated liquid concentrate combining molasses with yucca extract, yucca schidigera, seaweed extract, and Montmorillonite clay. The Montmorillonite component provides over 70 trace elements not present in plain molasses. The yucca schidigera acts as a natural wetting agent and surfactant, improving uptake for both foliar applications and root-zone delivery. The seaweed extract adds cytokinin-class plant hormones and additional micronutrients. Crucially, Mendocino Honey is formulated for use in hydroponic reservoirs at 1 tsp per gallon, with a weekly reservoir change protocol to manage sediment. The guaranteed analysis (NPK 0.46-0.26-1.83) is fully published, and the product is consistently dosed by volume.

Blackstrap molasses: A byproduct of sugar cane refining, high in potassium, sulfur, and iron, with some magnesium and calcium. Provides a carbohydrate energy source and feeds soil microbes in a similar way to Mendocino Honey’s molasses base. However, raw blackstrap molasses carries no Montmorillonite trace-element profile, no yucca schidigera wetting agent, and no seaweed extract. Its sugar content and sediment load make it unsuitable for most hydroponic reservoirs, where it can clog emitters and cause anaerobic fermentation in recirculating systems. The nutrient contribution is variable batch to batch, and there is no published guaranteed analysis.

Key trade-offs:

• Mendocino Honey is explicitly formulated and labeled for hydroponic reservoir use; blackstrap molasses is not suitable for most recirculating hydroponic systems.
• The Montmorillonite clay in Mendocino Honey contributes 70+ trace elements that raw blackstrap molasses does not provide.
• Yucca schidigera in Mendocino Honey improves foliar spray coverage and root-zone wetting; blackstrap molasses has no wetting agent component.
• Blackstrap molasses costs significantly less per dose than Mendocino Honey but carries no guaranteed analysis and introduces reservoir management challenges in hydro systems.
• Both products serve the same core purpose of adding carbohydrate energy to the growing environment and feeding beneficial microbial populations.

Growers who already run soil-only programs and want the lowest-cost carbohydrate supplement may find blackstrap molasses adequate. Growers using hydroponic systems, foliar spray programs, or who want a consistent formulation with a published trace-element contribution will find Mendocino Honey’s formulation worth the additional cost per dose.

Compatibility & Operating Range

Compatibility information below is drawn from the application rate data confirmed at monstergardens.com, the product description from milehydro.com, and standard practice for liquid carbohydrate supplement use in hydroponic and soil systems.

Growing media compatibility: Mendocino Honey is confirmed compatible with soil, soilless mixes (peat-perlite, rockwool), coco coir, and hydroponic systems. The liquid concentrate can be used across the full spectrum of growing media without media-specific reformulation. It is not a granular or slow-release product and should not be applied dry.

Hydroponic system compatibility: Mendocino Honey is formulated for use in hydroponic reservoirs at 1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon. Growers using recirculating systems should change the nutrient solution weekly when using Mendocino Honey to prevent sediment accumulation from the Montmorillonite clay and molasses components. Do not allow reservoir solutions containing Mendocino Honey to sit for extended periods in warm environments, as the organic carbohydrate and clay content can contribute to sediment buildup and microbial activity in the reservoir.

Application method compatibility: Three application methods are supported: (1) soil drench applied under the drip zone of leaves at 1–2 tsp per gallon every 1–2 weeks, (2) foliar spray at 1 tsp per gallon of finished spray solution, (3) tank-mix with existing base fertilizer at the same general-use rate. All three methods are grounded in the published application data from retailer listings.

Tank-mix compatibility: Mendocino Honey is designed to be tank-mixed with standard fertilizer programs. It does not replace a base NPK fertilizer. Add Mendocino Honey after the base nutrients have been measured and dissolved, then re-check EC and pH after addition. The low NPK values (0.46-0.26-1.83) mean EC contribution per dose is modest at 1 tsp per gallon, but growers should measure final EC to confirm the solution is within the target range for their crop and stage.

pH operating range: No specific pH operating range is published in the available data for Mendocino Honey. Standard practice for liquid organic supplements is to maintain the nutrient solution at 5.8–6.2 for hydroponic use and 6.0–6.8 for soil applications. The organic carbon and clay content may have mild buffering effects; check pH after mixing and adjust as needed.

Crop compatibility: Field and vegetable crops, row crops, fruit and nut trees, grapes, vine berries, flowering shrubs, bedding plants, ground cover, ornamental annuals and perennials, indoor and outdoor herbs, container plants, and landscaping. No crop-specific restrictions are noted in the published data. For growers focused on building root-zone biology, combining Mendocino Honey with a dedicated root inoculant like PureCrop1 can provide complementary modes of action: PureCrop1 for plant defense and foliar health, Mendocino Honey for root-zone carbohydrate and trace element support.

Dosing Guidelines

Dosing information below is drawn from the application rate data confirmed at monstergardens.com (1–2 tsp per gallon general use; 1 tsp per gallon foliar and hydro) and the milehydro.com product listing, which confirms the same rates and the weekly reservoir-change protocol for hydroponic use.

General use (soil and soilless drench): 1–2 tsp (5–10 mL) per gallon of water, applied every 1–2 weeks as part of a regular watering cycle. Start at the lower end of the range (1 tsp per gallon) when introducing Mendocino Honey to an established plant, then increase to 2 tsp per gallon once you have confirmed the plant is responding without signs of stress. Apply as a soil drench under the drip zone of the plant, not directly on the stem or crown.

Foliar spray: 1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of finished spray solution. Mix in clean, pH-adjusted water. Apply to both the upper and lower leaf surfaces to ensure coverage. The yucca schidigera in the formulation improves spray adhesion and wetting. Apply during lights-off or low-light periods to minimize leaf surface temperature and reduce the risk of concentrate drying on foliage before it can be absorbed. Do not apply foliar sprays in temperatures above 85°F (30°C).

Hydroponic reservoir: 1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of reservoir water. This is a lower rate than the general-use drench rate, reflecting the recirculating nature of hydroponic systems where the solution passes through the root zone repeatedly. Change the nutrient solution weekly when using Mendocino Honey in a hydroponic reservoir to prevent excess sediment from the Montmorillonite and molasses components from accumulating in drip emitters, reservoir walls, or root chambers.

Measuring the dose: Use a calibrated measuring syringe or graduated measuring cup for consistent dosing. At 1 tsp per gallon, a 10-gallon reservoir requires 10 tsp (approximately 50 mL) of Mendocino Honey per reservoir fill. The 1-gallon bottle (this size) contains approximately 128 fl oz of concentrate. At 1 tsp per gallon, this covers roughly 768 gallons of finished nutrient solution, making it suitable for large-reservoir systems or multi-season use in smaller setups.

Frequency: General use every 1–2 weeks throughout the vegetative and flowering cycle. There is no published guidance restricting application to a specific growth stage; Mendocino Honey is positioned as a whole-cycle carbohydrate supplement rather than a stage-specific bloom booster. Growers who use it continuously from vegetative through harvest typically apply it on the same schedule as their base nutrients.

Size selection:

• 1 qt: Entry size for trialing the product or for small systems and container gardens.
• 1 gal (this listing): Appropriate for medium-scale soil or coco grows, small hydroponic reservoirs (10–30 gallons), or a single full season for a home grower.
• 2.5 gal: Suitable for larger soil operations, multiple-plant hydroponic systems, or commercial-scale container production.
• 6 gal: Commercial-scale quantity for high-volume reservoir systems or multi-room production environments.

How to Set Up Mendocino Honey in Your Feeding Schedule

Steps below describe integrating Mendocino Honey into a standard nutrient program, whether in soil, coco, or a hydroponic reservoir. These steps are adapted from the per-category nutrient supplement generic template and the application rate guidance confirmed through monstergardens.com and milehydro.com.

1. Shake the concentrate thoroughly before each use. Organic liquid concentrates that contain mineral clay (Montmorillonite) and molasses can settle during storage. Shake the bottle vigorously for 15–30 seconds before measuring. If the contents have separated and cannot be re-homogenized by shaking, do not use.
2. Determine your application method and rate. Choose the appropriate rate based on your growing environment: 1–2 tsp per gallon for soil or soilless drenches, 1 tsp per gallon for foliar spray, or 1 tsp per gallon for hydroponic reservoirs. Confirm the rate before measuring to avoid overdosing, particularly in hydroponic systems where solution recirculates through the root zone multiple times.
3. Prepare the base nutrient solution first (hydroponic and tank-mix applications). For hydroponic reservoirs, mix your base nutrients and measure EC before adding Mendocino Honey. Add Mendocino Honey as the final step in your mixing sequence, after base nutrients and any other additives have been dissolved. Stir or run the recirculation pump while adding Mendocino Honey to ensure even distribution.
4. Measure the dose using a calibrated syringe or measuring cup. For consistency, use a graduated 10 mL or 50 mL syringe for smaller systems, or a graduated measuring cup for larger reservoirs. Do not estimate by eye, particularly when using the lower hydroponic dose rate where a small over-measurement at the concentrate stage translates directly to a higher per-gallon dose in the reservoir.
5. Check EC and pH after mixing (hydroponic use). After adding Mendocino Honey to the reservoir, verify EC and pH. The modest NPK (0.46-0.26-1.83) at 1 tsp per gallon will add a small EC increment, but stacking with base nutrients and other additives can bring the total EC higher than intended. Adjust pH as needed to maintain the target range for your system (typically 5.8–6.2 for hydroponic recirculating systems).
6. Apply soil or soilless drenches under the drip zone of the plant. For soil and soilless media, dilute Mendocino Honey at 1–2 tsp per gallon in your watering solution and apply as a drench to the root zone, keeping the solution away from the stem base and crown. Saturate the medium enough that the solution reaches the full root zone without running off excessively.
7. For foliar applications, spray during low-light periods. Mix 1 tsp per gallon in clean, pH-adjusted water and apply with a pump or handheld sprayer. Spray both the upper and lower leaf surfaces until the leaves are uniformly coated but not dripping. Apply when lights are off or during early-morning or late-evening periods in outdoor grows to reduce the risk of leaf surface burn.
8. Change hydroponic reservoir solution weekly. When using Mendocino Honey in a recirculating hydroponic system, drain and refill the reservoir with fresh nutrient solution on a weekly schedule. This prevents sediment from the Montmorillonite clay and molasses components from accumulating in the system over multiple feeding cycles.
9. Monitor plant response and adjust the rate within the published range. The published rate range of 1–2 tsp per gallon provides flexibility for growers to adjust based on plant response and substrate feedback. Start at 1 tsp per gallon and increase to 2 tsp if the plant is not showing visible improvement after 2–3 applications. If runoff EC is climbing above target, reduce the rate or frequency before increasing.

Sources & Further Reading