Using Hydrogen Peroxide on seedlings...A question

[huntsman]

I've done due diligence, and it seems that using this substance is a good way to avoid damp when starting seedlings.

What I cannot ascertain is which method of delivery is best: Placing the stuff into water and then watering from below, or spraying from above?

What proportions do you use yourselves?

Thanks!

[Rockporter]

Good question, I would sure like to know the answer to this as well. Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer this.

[tomakers]

I have used it on seedlings at a rate of 10% of 3% solution you can buy. So that's .3%. Mix it 10 to 1. Doesn't bother the seedlings sprayed on for mold, etc.. At least it's never bothered mine.
JMO,
Tom

[Marko]

My wife uses 0.3% solution for her orchids with very good success. It will not hurt leaves so I suggest spraying from above.
0.3% is one teaspoon of 3% peroxide in 100 ml water.

[Cole_Robbie]

Wetting the leaves with peroxide prevents foliar disease, similar to the manner in which consistent wetting with plain water will cause the same diseases.

[Lorri D]

I soak my bigger seeds in the full strength 3% peroxide for a minute or two prior to planting. Then I rinse them off and plant them. Then, I alternate between watering my seedlings with a very weak chamomile tea (the tea is recomended by OSU) and a 10:1 ratio of peroxide and water. If you are having problems, I also learned that you can sprinkle cinnamon on the top of the soil and that is an anti-fungal also.

[greentiger87]

I use a 10% solution of 3% drugstore hydrogen peroxide to soak seeds.

I've honestly never had a problem with damping off.. ever. I'm not sure why. I do use either store bought seed starting mix (jiffy or fertilome) or microwave disinfected perlite and compost.. and I'm very conservative with watering.

[huntsman]

Thanks for the replies -

I generally water from below, but time constraints have meant that I do not leave them long enough to drain and dry off a little before I put them back on heat and under lights.

[b54red]

I have been having damping off problems in my greenhouse for the last few years especially during the very rainy cloudy days of late winter or early spring. I tried the hydrogen peroxide and it was not very effective. The one thing that is fairly effective is sprinkling the surface with Captan as the seedlings emerge. The most effective thing is to use DE like Ultrasorb from Auto Zone as a seed starting medium. I have used it for a lot of my fall seedlings this year and despite very heavy rainfall, high humidity and cloudiness I have not had a problem with damping off in the trays where I used it. The trays with the regular seed starting mediums have had some problems with damping off.

There is a very nice thread on using DE as a seed starting medium under the Starting From Seed forum. Anyone having damping off problems might find it interesting.

[huntsman]

Yeah, I read what Ray had achieved with DE, so might well give that a try.

Problem with the brands you mentioned is that there is about 1% chance of finding them in this country...

Might help other folk, however. :-)

[RayR]

Originally Posted by huntsman

Yeah, I read what Ray had achieved with DE, so might well give that a try.

Problem with the brands you mentioned is that there is about 1% chance of finding them in this country...

Might help other folk, however. :-)

Diatomaceous Earth is mined in South Africa, you can probably find a comparable product close to home.

[greentiger87]

You shouldn't have any problem finding DE in South Africa though.. it used to be the biggest producer of dynamite.

Good luck in any case

[huntsman]

LOL! Yeah, DE we have. It's the brand names that we don't often get over here...