What does Peroxide do for orchids?
 

I got this email from a guy who sends me all sorts of tips on a daily schedule from USA but the catch is he has a book and only reveals a little part or the core part of the tip. He mentioned Peroxide in one of the emails to stop rot in orchids but he didn't explain anything about it.. Does anyone know what it is used for, how it is used and what strength peroxide?

I've used 3% topical solution hydrogen peroxide for erwina infections on paphs. It's the kind you can buy in the first aid section of most stores here in the states. I pour it on the infected parts of the leaves and it does seem to stop the spread. I've heard some people use it occasionally to pour thru the media as a way to introduce an extra blast of oxygen to the roots but have never used it for that reason. I could be entirely wrong but that sounds a little over the top to me.

Bill

Could it help root rot and crown rot in phals? For some reason i struggled with crown and root rot in my phals but i'm sure it was not of over watering.

wow Tyron, you really do stay in an unusual place ! I used to live in Zimbabwe, then South Africa....and you are the first. Often travelled through Messina/ now Musina.
You can use peroxide as a spray and it won't harm your orchids at all. Avoid buds though.
I have used it as an antibacterial agent and it works well.

I don't think it would help root rot in phals. That's generally caused by having the plant in a mix that retains too much water and the roots can't breathe. Try to lighten your mix up with some large sponge rock(perlite), gravel or some inert substance that will let the water pass thru. Putting a layer of pebbles or shipping peanuts on the bottom of the pot also will help.It may help with crown rot but the easiest way to cure that is don't let water sit in the crown.

Bill

Speaking of H2O2 I know that people use it to desinfect their water before use, when they stored it in a tank. Fresh fallen rain water is nearly steril though.
Do you mean the use of peroxide as a cure? Rot in orchids can be bacterial and fungal. Most fungizides work primarily to prevent spread. If the disease has set in, things are getting more difficult.
If it comes to root rot, for example in phalaenopsis, take the plant out, clean the roots and cut away all infected roots. Roots can be soaked in various solutions for desinfection. For example Copperoxychloride works against a broad variety of fungi. The new potting medium should be sterilized before use, for example in an oven. This was more often done in the past.
Sometimes a strong plant kept in the right place with lots of fresh moving air can cope with a disease.
On the other hand some bacterial and fungal diseases are highly contagious, so it is better to destroy the plant in the trash bin, not the garden compost.

So basically its just a disinfecting agent whether in your water, tools or plants? But not to and extent that it will save a root or crown rot? When i moved to Musina a few months ago i lost about 20 phals with crown rot and some with root rot.. That was why i crawled the internet for any info.. At that time i didn't even know that you call it crown rot. Now my problem is gone. But would still want to know what i can do to save the plant if i see it happening again.

Hi Tyron, i'm from Middelburg, South Africa. I have some very "temperamental" orchids which thrive, but my phals always have root issues. A while back i remove a phal and put it in a hanging basket bare root - it now seems to be happier!