SaraJean asked a question about peroxide...

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by SaraJean

...That’s why I was wondering if there was some science behind in or if was more of a “well that’s the way we’ve always done it” type of thing. I have no idea where the notion for actually submerging the orchid came from, I suppose the thought was if you can drench the pot you might as well throw the whole orchid in? ...
(Thanks for pulling this out, by the way! I figured o would get lost in that post after I wrote it)

Sounds like we're on the same page, which is why I put it out there. Been wondering the same for years. Personally, I think it's of the "well, that's the way we've always done it" school of thought. Quite a few folks still insist on peroxide for wound care. Have a friend who's a wound care specialist whose lecture on NOT using H202 has been heard by me too many times to remember.

My grandma insisted on putting butter on a burn. Never argue with your grandma.

[AnonYMouse]

I think the origin was hydroponic growing. I saw higher concentrations of H2O2 at the hydroponic store, to be used diluted in the reservoir.

I use 3% first aid strength to clean off mold on the exterior of terra cotta pots.

[Subrosa]

I don't see it having much use for orchids. I did find 3% to have some utility in preventing the fungal disease known as "damping off", which causes plants to rot right at the soil line when growing Mesembs, a family of succulents very prone to the disease. I simply watered normally with the peroxide. However I found that germinating them outdoors in full sun was even more effective, probably due to a combination of air movement and UV exposure.

[aliceinwl]

I did some peer reviewed literature searches awhile back and couldn’t find any information backing up peroxide use as an effective antifungal or soil oxygenator. I was able to find information on tissue damage, mostly related to why it is no longer used in wound care.

I have used it to treat crown rot in a few Phalaenopsis because it made sense to me that killing all the exposed rotting tissue could be a good thing. I also dried out the excess peroxide and packed the crown with cinnamon. I did save the three plants that I caught early. I wonder if it was more due to the desiccating action of the cinnamon?

[SouthPark]

I was once on the 'bandwagon' of hydrogen peroxide, which was based on reading about people's usage of it.

But I don't use it anymore - mainly because I ended up finding I already have methods (not involving H2O2) of treating relevant orchid issues (or pre-treating orchids) when needed, and secondly - it just 'seemed' that while application of 3% H2O2 didn't kill any of my orchids that came in the post --- it appeared (due to observations) that it affected the roots and/or plant in some way ----- as in it took a relatively long time - several months - of the plant doing nothing - suspended activity, before the roots and/or plant was able to get going again. It just appeared to me that H2O2 was holding something up --- with the plant, as if the roots or plant needed to recuperate from its effects.

Sometime - in the future- I will probably get around to doing a bunch more observations - comparison tests, as I haven't got any way to 'measure' what's going on at microscopic levels. Hopefully some sources or studies can be found to save us the time to look into this.

Also --- thirdly, I read that once a new bottle of H2O2 is opened ----- degradation of H2O2 begins to occur, creating another possible drawback.

I'm not opposed about the usage of some product, like H2O2 - as long as there's some good and proper evidence that supports it. I don't use it anymore though - not for the purpose of diluted sprays on orchids that is.

[YetAnotherOrchidNut]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

What in the heck does one use industrial grade H202 for?

One use is Rocket-packs: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rocket-pack/

It reacts explosively on contact with gold.

[estación seca]

If your dog eats something dangerous and you want to induce vomiting, make it drink 1 Tablespoon / 15ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds / 4.5kg body weight. DO THIS OUTSIDE. It works quickly.

It's very hard to do the next time your dog eats something it shouldn't.

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by estación seca

If your dog eats something dangerous and you want to induce vomiting, make it drink 1 Tablespoon / 15ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds / 4.5kg body weight. DO THIS OUTSIDE. It works quickly.

It's very hard to do the next time your dog eats something it shouldn't.

Oh my god, I've done this and I've always thought I caused a major problem to my dog. After that, she was stomach sensitive and vomited easily all the time.

Kinda like "I feel happens" to the orchids... I know it helps a little with the rots but I also think it harms what's not wrong as well.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ray

Having worked with drugstore-grade 3% H2O2, 50% industrial grade, and Biosafe Oxidate @ ~0.1-0.2% H2O2 application rate, I can provide some anecdotal comments backed by a small amount of science.

3% H2O2 is basically worthless as a disinfectant. The stabilizer in it is so weak that it completely decomposes within seconds of application, leaving behind a pool of water in which pathogens can multiply. Does it damage the few root hairs orchids have? Maybe, but I doubt it's significant due to the transient nature of the peroxide.

Some growers claim it is a good oxygenator of potting media. Yes, it releases oxygen as it decomposes, but that too is transient, and using a water breaker and watering heavily probably does as much benefit.

50% H2O2 is much too corrosive of anything metallic or organic.

Biosafe Systems Oxidate (a.k.a. Biosafe Disease Control) has a very weak concentration of peroxide, but it is stabilized with peroxyacetic acid, so it is a very good disinfectant, as it stays chemically active until it is dry. I used it extensively in my greenhouse in PA, as a general spray and as a repot cleanse, and I never saw any sign of phytotoxicity - no doubt due to the low concentration. It will corrode skin if you have contact with its concentrated (27% H2O2) form.

I wish we could pin just this post in this forum and then just refer to it anytime someone asks a question. Case closed.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Man I have to just thank my luck or my ignorance but I use the probiotics and I grow everything outside and I reuse almost all my stuff. If something dies, I will take the medium and move it from orchid to terrestrial soil filler and the pot goes in the pool for a few months