Rescue Phal Repot! - Page 2 - Orchid Board

SouthPark · #11 03-14-2021, 05:06 PM

I think that scientific tests (if hasn't been carried yet) will certainly help a lot ------ effects on roots that is. I haven't had any orchids actually die when I sprayed their roots with hydrogen peroxide. There was one stage when I was doing this - for orchids that came in through the post - where I sprayed the entire plant including roots ----- during the regular growing period. And I noticed that the orchid wouldn't do much at all for a relatively long time, as in a few months of nothing happening with the plant or root. But when I stopped doing this - the orchids in general just resume their growing - after the repot - but no hydrogen peroxide 'treatment' on roots. I was using the '3%' treatment. Some people recommend to use a much lower concentration - but I'm thinking that if a relatively weak concentration is used - then probably better off not using it at all ---- as I assume the concentration needs to be at least strong enough to do something to organisms. But - for 3% ---- it will certainly do something. But it could also do something to beneficial organisms or whatever is hanging in the roots for the benefit of the orchid.

This doesn't meant that growers shouldn't try hydrogen peroxide themselves. If no setbacks occur - then fantastic. But if setbacks do occur - then we will know what to do ----- that is --- to then try not using it (on roots that is) and see if the situation improves.

I don't use hydrogen peroxide at all anymore. I do the mancozeb spray treatment on incoming plants (through the mail). Some people mentioned that opening the bottle of hydrogen peroxide will start a break-down of it ----- but not sure exactly how long it takes to do its decomposition after opening the bottle.

Definitely not to discourage anybody to not use hydrogen peroxide on roots. The nice thing is that we have forums to at least share experiences. So this allows others to know what could be expected - maybe. And then make decisions on it. Naturally - some scientific testing will be excellent as well.

Isabella_Rose_C · #12 03-14-2021, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

You can get a feel for how fast the plant dries out by weighing it right after watering (postal scale or kitchen scale), and then in subsequent days. When the reduction in weight slows down, time to water again. The new mix will give you lots of air around the roots - exactly what they need.

I just wanted to say that I absolutely love this system. I could tell right away the time to water based on the post- and pre- watering weights I measured and the daily measurements I took afterwards. It was super accurate and makes me feel super confident in my watering!

Thanks Roberta!

---------- Post added at 06:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:40 PM ----------

Thanks SouthPark for this.

I agree about what you said about the peroxide. The orchid I did spray is doing just fine. I am happy that I did try it just to try to clean the roots because it was in such terrible conditions when I bought it, but won’t use it after. Part of the use of the peroxide for myself is that most insecticides are one of two things: very strong and something I don’t want in my home garden, or two, very expensive and difficult to get at the moment. So peroxide I believe did it’s job for now.

I do agree that this conversation was great to have, and forums are a great way to discuss personal experiences. It’s very difficult to know what to do always just from reading scientific or general papers/info on plants until you’ve tried it. So that’s exactly how I feel, happy to try it and discuss it!

And the orchid is doing much better in it’s new medium. The leaves are turning back to their healthy light/grass green colour from their jade green colour from the lack of sun at the store.

Thanks again for everyone’s opinions, comments and experiences!

Andrew-L · #13 03-24-2021, 08:25 PM

Hydrogen peroxide is a signaling molecule of plant defense against pathogens.

This is only for plant borne sicknesses/virus's.

The type of "damage" you are doing to the roots is ectoparasitic. Or living creature caused damage in which adding hydrogen peroxide will not trigger the plant to do anything but try and fight a virus that isn't present

Roberta · #14 03-24-2021, 08:38 PM

Hydrogen peroxide can also attack root hairs (that give roots high surface area). Simple solution... just don't use it. First, provide an environment for the roots that is healthy for them (lots of air) and not healthy for fungal infections (which like wet and airless so don't grow well in the presence of lots of air) If you have a particular pathogen, use a treatment that is specific to it (which implies that you know what you're treating and why)

Andrew-L · #15 03-24-2021, 08:45 PM

And then trying to troubleshoot plant illnesses is a whole 'nother ball game. Hell humans aren't all that great at troubleshooting human illnesses.

I know we have doctor's, they try. They also make up only a tiny fraction of humanity in it's entirety

sweta · #16 03-27-2021, 11:59 PM

I've almost killed a bunch of phals by using hydrogen peroxide 3% on healthy roots when repotting. 80% of those plants had severe setback and lost all the roots. These were very healthy plants when I bought them. I somehow felt that it could have been the peroxide. Even I'm very paranoid about carrying pests to healthy plants.

Missusk · #17 04-17-2021, 01:23 AM

This discussion about hydrogen peroxide is so helpful. I wish I had read it before I sprayed hydrogen peroxide on a phalaenopsis orchid that had fungus gnats. The next day two of it's leaves turned yellow and some of the aerial roots shriveled up. Granted it wasn't in the best shape to begin with - I was attempting to get it to develop roots - but I have to believe the spray made it worse. The fungus gnats went away though!