Indoor Adding Hydrogen Peroxide to Water for Soil Growing

[Mad Scientist]

High All,
I've been reading recently that adding hydrogen peroxide to the water used for growing in soil helps to get oxygen to the roots. (In addition to having nice airy soil). I can't seem to find any information as to what kind of hydrogen peroxide to use, how much per litre of water to add etc. Does anyone have any experience or advice about this? Any products out there specifically for this application?
MS

 

[jaspercane]

1 pint hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon water. Shake it and let sit for a few hours. Instead of H2O you now have H2O2 (two parts oxygen)

Havent ever used it but rumored to increase growth 25-30%. Hopefully someone else will chime in and either confirm or deny.

 

[Mr Piggy]

Hi, skeptical pig here. I Highly doubt h2o2 alone will increase your growth 25-30%. Those are some big numbers you're throwing out there.

 

[The Squid]

Not that this won't work, I have read about this too, but you're also dealing with the possibility of killing beneficial microorganisms in your soil's root-zone. After all, peroxide does act as a disinfectant. A pint per gallon is much more than I have heard and just seems like too much to me, that is 1/8 of a gallon. I have heard more like a couple tsps. maybe. Just my

 

[Peekineeze]

I've read that if your growing organic you don't want to add hydrogen peroxide. It will kill the micro bacteria in the soil. It can be used in storage water to prevent bacteria growth so it wouldn't be good for microbes in soil. I just used it on a plant that was quite ill because I figured I had nothing to lose. I must admit that the plant has improved quite a bit but I don't know if it was because of the H2O2.

 

[Peekineeze]

You stole my thunder squidherb.

 

[The Squid]

You stole my thunder squidherb.

No thunder stolen, you just added the lighting to complete it, mate. I could be totally wrong, but this is what I have gathered from my research.

 

[brokencage]

Not that this won't work, I have read about this too, but you're also dealing with the possibility of killing beneficial microorganisms in your soil's root-zone. After all, peroxide does act as a disinfectant. A pint per gallon is much more than I have heard and just seems like too much to me, that is 1/8 of a gallon. I have heard more like a couple tsps. maybe. Just my

We have bingo!! I used peroxide (3%) religiously in hydro at 15ML's per gal once a week.in soil you would kill your micro herd not to mention with proper aeration you wont need it.btw a pint a gallon would likly burn your roots.

BC EDIT: I must be getting old as I just went back and looked at one of my old journals and I stated I had added 1500 ML's.So I must have been using 25 ML's per gall as I had a 60 gallon res.

 

[canon]

1/4 cup of 3% is what I've used for a long time with clones / seedlings, and at up-potting for a couple waterings.
From my own test, the water in seeding / cloning tends to "go flat" deprived of oxygen before needing more water. At that stage of growqth I can see a 20-30% growth increase (over stagnant water) as a possible truism. But not on overall finished plant growth. (could be wrong,, but...)

I've seen it recommended for foliar feeding too. That I can't agree with.
Also seen and tried it to eliminate gnats, mold, etc. using 1/2 cup per gallon. My test indicates it helps,,, but not all that reliable.

The 1/4 cup per gallon will not harm the micros to any significant point if it's fairly good to start with. But, if borderline on soil to begin with,, all bets are off. (I wouldn't on weak soils)
Obviously on chemical nutes it's not a issue.

 

[BigBuddha]

Can't add much other than to reiterate that HP will kill all microlife in the soil. It's only really useful AS A LAST RESORT to deal with root rot and other fungal infections.. but once used the microherd has to be reintroduced into the soil.

The best way to get oxygen to the roots is with floomed water and simply allowing the soil to dry out. As it evaps it sucks fresh air into the medium. An even better way to get air into the pots is to use airpots. You'll find using those that things like overwatering, root-rot, bad bacteria, waterlogging etc pratically become a thing of the past.