Palms & hydrogen peroxide

[PalmatierMeg]

Hello everyone,

I've been researching care of my bat flower (Tacca chanterieri) and I came across the following advice on the Veseys website:

"When watering, occasionally add a cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. The extra oxygen will kill fungus spores, prevent root rot and encourage roots to grow."

Will that same practice work on potted palms & seedlings (impractical for planted palms)? Rot and fungus can be real problems for small/young palms. Has anyone tried this?

Please weigh in. Thanks.

Meg

[TikiRick]

This is the first time I have ever heard of this. I can remember as a kid, my dad would drench a cotton ball in it and squeeze it into my ear canal. As I laid on my side, it would bubble and fizz until I eventually stood up and dumped it out.

On second thought, this may explain my brain damage.

[mlovecan]

The use of H202 is fairly standard practice in hydroponics.

Most stores that sell hydroponics equipement sell it in higher concentrations - as high as 10% rather than .5 - 1.5% that is normally available in the pharmacy.

In my - ahem - tomato growing days, I used this all the time - roots that were immersed fully in water and turning a little bit brown would turn a nice healthy white color. The plants would respond dramatically to this. Repeated applications shortly after would have a much smaller effect. Once every couple weeks seemed to work the best.

Oxygen from the H202 is quite happily absorbed by the roots.

Haven't used it on palms other than as a fungicide - where it works quite well.

Would work quite well on palm roots also - only be careful with the high concentration stuff ( dilute it well ) and don't get it on your skin as it burns pretty good.

[PalmatierMeg]

This is the first time I have ever heard of this. I can remember as a kid, my dad would drench a cotton ball in it and squeeze it into my ear canal. As I laid on my side, it would bubble and fizz until I eventually stood up and dumped it out.

On second thought, this may explain my brain damage.

Rick, H2O2 is sold in drug stores as a mild disinfectant. We used to treat our cat for fight wounds with it. It is also a mild bleaching agent (in low %) that doesn't harm fabric as does chlorine bleach. Just don't expose fabric to sunlight when damp.

But the idea that a little bit added to water may give palms a boost intrigues me. I might try some using my D. lutescens seedlings as guinea pigs. mlovecan, I won't be messing with any concentrated H2O2. It's quite cheap in stores.

[MattyB]

I swear by it. I don't add it to my watering regiment, but I've had great luck pouring H202 on seedlings prone to damping off (ie Kentiopsis magnifica), rotting roots, and when spears pull out. Note: when pouring it in a hole where a spear has pulled keep in mind that after the fizzing reaction has occured you're left with H2O. So shoving some twisted up paper towels down the hole to absorb the extra water is wise so that the infection can dry out. It's great stuff and cheap.

[SubTropicRay]

Meg, you could actually drink the stuff if you really wanted. It is very safe as an additive.

Rick's brain damage is from something altogether different.

[FRITO]

on antoher note, It makes an awesome mouthwash as well. been using it for about 6 months now.

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

H3O: it works well; it's cheap; and it's totally safe. That's a hard combo to beat, eh?

Paul

[chris.oz]

Hmm, Ray, Hydrogen peroxide is a bleach and ingestion can cause death. Contrary to what has been said here it is not a good idea to drink it at all even though in small quantities and low concentration its probably OK!! 10% solution as sold in horticultural stores would be more dangerous.

[_Keith]

Hmm, Ray, Hydrogen peroxide is a bleach and ingestion can cause death. Contrary to what has been said here it is not a good idea to drink it at all even though in small quantities and low concentration its probably OK!! 10% solution as sold in horticultural stores would be more dangerous.

This is an interesting page on the subject: http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/peroxide-garden.html

[Kris]

Hai Friends..

I must say that once a palm begins to rot,their is no solution...i have seen this happen on our Washy filifera,and now with Med Fan Palm(i had bought this one from a local nursery and placed it in roof top garden..it did grow vigrously in full sunlight.but i brought it to ground floor & we expereienced lots of rains for 2 months.once the rain stopped,the med fan showed signs of rot and i have treated it with hydrogen peroxide,fungicide but no use..the situation is going from bad to worse..

here are few stills that i took in the month of dec'08,while now the condition is still worse..i will post those stills soon !

Kris

[Neofolis]

Hi all, I've often wondered about H²O², as we always have some in the house that is used for my wife's various hair colouring escapades. We have 12% (40.vol) and 6% (20.vol). Would either of these be appriopriate for horticulteral use and, if so, at what dilution, if any?

[Gonzer]

In my - ahem - tomato growing days,

100% pure American 'mater grower and proud of it

Viva la Roma!

[PalmatierMeg]

Hi all, I've often wondered about H²O², as we always have some in the house that is used for my wife's various hair colouring escapades. We have 12% (40.vol) and 6% (20.vol). Would either of these be appriopriate for horticulteral use and, if so, at what dilution, if any?

In US drugstores, H202 is sold in 3% strength as a disinfectant. You are supposed to mix 1 cup of that into 1 gallon of water. Your 6% & 12% solutions are way stronger and could really damage or kill a palm. You need to dilute the 6% to half strength, the 12% to one-quarter strength. You can accomplish that as follows:

If 3% takes 1 cup per gallon of water, then

6% requires 1/2 cup per gallon, and

12% requires 1/4 cup per gallon

I would still be careful and test mixture on a plant/palm you can risk losing. Or check local drugstores for 3% solution.

[Mark Heath]

This is the first time I have ever heard of this. I can remember as a kid, my dad would drench a cotton ball in it and squeeze it into my ear canal. As I laid on my side, it would bubble and fizz until I eventually stood up and dumped it out.

On second thought, this may explain my brain damage.

I agree w/ Ray, i have a funny feeling that was not the only cause!!!!! But i am in the same boat as you Rick! Product of the "80s"!!!

[RMOWEN01]

This is the first time I have ever heard of this. I can remember as a kid, my dad would drench a cotton ball in it and squeeze it into my ear canal. As I laid on my side, it would bubble and fizz until I eventually stood up and dumped it out.

On second thought, this may explain my brain damage.

I agree w/ Ray, i have a funny feeling that was not the only cause!!!!! But i am in the same boat as you Rick! Product of the "80s"!!!

Cheap drugstore peroxide works wonderful.

When I see a palm with crownshaft issues I add it directly and undiluted to the palms crown.

I don't think it would cure a serious case of rootrot but it certainly doesn't hurt the plant used in

moderation.

Of course should things be a little more serious a good fungicide such as Aliette usually works well.

For rootrot issues Banrot still remains the turn to treatment.

[turfpro01]

Does hydro peroxide effect mycorrhiae? I did a search and really could find a answer. Im guessing it wont hurt them.

[RMOWEN01]

Does hydro peroxide effect mycorrhiae? I did a search and really could find a answer. Im guessing it wont hurt them.

I wouldn't think it would unless you used an extrodinarily large ammount in a higher concentrate.

Have never seen any adverse effects.

[Neofolis]

In US drugstores, H202 is sold in 3% strength as a disinfectant. You are supposed to mix 1 cup of that into 1 gallon of water. Your 6% & 12% solutions are way stronger and could really damage or kill a palm. You need to dilute the 6% to half strength, the 12% to one-quarter strength. You can accomplish that as follows:

If 3% takes 1 cup per gallon of water, then

6% requires 1/2 cup per gallon, and

12% requires 1/4 cup per gallon

I would still be careful and test mixture on a plant/palm you can risk losing. Or check local drugstores for 3% solution.

Thanks Meg, I think now would probably be a good time to test the idea, as there is a lot of brownery in the garden.

[Mark_NoVA]

1 cup per gallon of water = 1/16 dilution rate.

I think I read elsewhere to use a 1/10 rate.

For you folks who have done this before, what kind of mixture have you used?

Hi all, I've often wondered about H²O², as we always have some in the house that is used for my wife's various hair colouring escapades. We have 12% (40.vol) and 6% (20.vol). Would either of these be appriopriate for horticulteral use and, if so, at what dilution, if any?

In US drugstores, H202 is sold in 3% strength as a disinfectant. You are supposed to mix 1 cup of that into 1 gallon of water. Your 6% & 12% solutions are way stronger and could really damage or kill a palm. You need to dilute the 6% to half strength, the 12% to one-quarter strength. You can accomplish that as follows:

If 3% takes 1 cup per gallon of water, then

6% requires 1/2 cup per gallon, and

12% requires 1/4 cup per gallon

I would still be careful and test mixture on a plant/palm you can risk losing. Or check local drugstores for 3% solution.

[edbrown_III]

Its used to disinfect dead tissue--- it would probably hurt living tissue which you dont want to do. You want something that just attacks the bad stuff not everythign- I would nt use it. Its like a fungicide it kills the bad stuff but also kills the good stuff (ie the microrhizzia fungus)

Best regards,

Ed

[Neofolis]

it would probably hurt living tissue

That would suggest that pouring it into the centre of the crown is a particularly bad idea, but that seems to be what most people do with it.

[saintsol]

Thanks for the info Ed Brown.

[edbrown_III]

it would probably hurt living tissue

That would suggest that pouring it into the centre of the crown is a particularly bad idea, but that seems to be what most people do with it.

yes its a calculated risk like amputation of a grangrene-- you hope it does kill living tissue but just oxidize and kill bacterial rots so that this can be washed away. You would want to let it stay and seep into liveing tissue.

Best regards,

Ed

[sonoranfans]

Hydrogen peroxide is a highly reactive molecule, thats why its such a good disinfectant. It just eats up organic matter, including protein, bacteria, fungus, viruses.. If I had a sick palm, perhaps a one time treatment of the soil, but I would be concerned that repeated treatments would deplete the soil of humates, beneficial microbes, etc,. If it is concentrated enough, it can burn skin very fast. I have used 30% in a lab before to dissolve metal alloys, nasty stuff. I agree with Ed that if used in excessive concentration or too frequently the peroxide can consume plant tissue or kill beneficial microbes, not what I want with a healthy palm. But perhaps it may help for the sick ones with rotting roots.

As far as drinking it, I'd be careful. Peroxide is used to strongly enhance the action of hydrochloric acid, which your stomach produces. I'd keep the tums handy if I were dumb enough to do that on an empty stomach.

Edited February 1, 2009 by sonoranfans

[Cycadcenter]

Why not use the proper product ZEROTOL

Bruce

ZeroTol Broad Spectrum Algaecide/Fungicide

More than Just Ordinary Hydrogen Peroxide

Here at BioSafe Systems LLC, we are often asked about the chemistry of ZeroTol, how is works through its unique mode of oxidation, and for an explanation of how it differs from regular Hydrogen Peroxide.

The EPA-approved label for ZeroTol lists Hydrogen Dioxide (Hydrogen Peroxide) as the active ingredient, so it's natural to wonder what makes ZeroTol so exceptional.

ZeroTol uses Hydrogen Peroxide as its base chemistry, but the similarites stop there. Adding Peroxyacetic Acid, along with a proprietary blend of surfactants, stabilizers and buffering agents, results in a chemistry very different from technical grade or food grade Hydrogen Peroxide.

The addition of the Peroxyacetic Acide (PAA) creates a powerful Activated Peroxygen Compound (APC) which has 10-12 times the oxidation potential of Hydrogen Peroxide. It would take 10-12 ounces of Hydrogen Peroxide to equal the killing strength in 1 ounce of ZeroTol. Next, BioSafe Systems' surfactants and buffering agents add stability to the highly reactive APC, allowing it to remain stable under high organic loading.

The benefit of this added stability is that ZeroTol is non-phytotoxic. Since Hydrogen Peroxide breaks down easily, the instability, combined with the large volume needed for effectiveness, can cause damage to plant material.

ZeroTol's superior killing power when compared to Hydrogen Peroxide was verified in the study Efficacy of Disinfectants Applied to Plant Production Surfaces by Dr. Warren Copes, USDA/ARS researcher. This study was published in the SNA Research Conference Report, Vol. 48, 2003, Pages 12-14 and can be viewed online at:

http://www.sna.org/research/03proceedings/...s/section04.pdf

In his study, Dr. Copes compares the efficacy of ZeroTol to an ACS grade of Hydrogen Peroxide.

He found that between 9.9-15 fl oz. of ZeroTol per gallon of water were needed to sanitize highly contaminated metal, raw pine, and plastic surfaces, respectively, of Botrytis cinerea. To achieve the same results, 34-107 fl. oz. of ACS grade Hydrogen Peroxide were needed. Based on these results, Dr. Copes stated that Òcommercial strength Hydrogen Peroxide should not be used as a substitute for ZeroTol."

ZeroTol also offers other valuable benefits that Hydrogen Peroxide does not. ZeroTol is EPA registered in all 50 states, and has been reviewed for compliance for Worker Safety Standards. Hydrogen Peroxide, on the other hand, is not registered for disease control. Growers using Hydrogen Peroxide, or any other non-registered products, for this purpose risk federal and state pesticide enforcement, violations of OSHA regulations, and possible legal action by employees.

The increased potency, added stability, and proper registration of ZeroTol provides growers a better, more powerful disease management tool but does not cost any more than regular Hydrogen Peroxide. Growers who simply compare price per fluid ounce are not performing an accurate assessment, since different amounts of the chmicals are needed to achieve the same results.

Hydrogen Peroxide initially seems like a bargain, but considering that more than ten times the amount would be required to achieve the same result as ZeroTol, growers will have the serious risk of phytotoxicity that comes along with higher strength of unstabilized and non-buffered Hydrogen Peroxide.

Product Price/Fluid Oz. Concentrate/Gallon of Solution

ZeroTol $0.31 1¼ OZ.

Hydrogen Peroxide $0.03 13 OZ. -> 10 Times as

Much is Needed!

Since ZeroTol is capable of being used at much lower rates than generic Hydrogen Peroxide, our application costs are the same and often times lower.

BioSafe Systems has invested the time and money required in developing, testing and registering a highly engineered product specifically designed to eradicate disease on growing plant tissue. Don't put your plants at risk.

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[Alicehunter2000]

Not so sure about how effective it is Luke.........I STILL remember meeting you a few months ago LOL

[Alicehunter2000]

BTW......how are those bizzie seeds doing?

All the stuff you gave me is still surviving.