Is it possible to water seedlings with hydrogen peroxide?
Watering seedlings with peroxide has a beneficial effect on the immune system, disinfects the soil, and strengthens the root system. In their natural environment, plants receive moisture from rainwater, and the peroxide solution is as close as possible to it in chemical composition. The substance contains an unstable oxygen atom, which acts as an oxidizing agent; it saturates the cells with O₂ and destroys pathogenic microorganisms in the soil and in damaged areas of the plant.
Peroxide improves the quality of water used for irrigation. It neutralizes or weakens the negative effects of chlorine, pesticides, and organic impurities. Gardening experts consistently recommend using hydrogen peroxide for spraying seedlings, soaking seeds, watering and fertilizing (both young and adult plants).
When to use
Fertilizing with peroxide is carried out during the entire growth period:
- At the initial stage, the seeds are treated (used as a disinfectant and as a growth stimulant).
- For seedlings to strengthen the root system and increase immunity (especially before transplanting to a permanent place).
- For adult plants - against diseases and pests, saturating the soil with oxygen, maintaining immunity.
It is used as root watering and also as foliar feeding. It is necessary to spray plants to get rid of harmful parasites. Tomatoes and peppers are often affected by late blight - with the help of hydrogen distortion, plants can get rid of this disease.
In the sun and during the daytime, peroxide loses its strength, so it is recommended to use it in the evening or morning.
Feeding seedlings with hydrogen peroxide
Peroxide is often used as a fertilizer. Many fertilizer companies include H₂O₂ in their formula. Hydrogen peroxide, used as a fertilizer for seedlings, saturates the soil with oxygen and promotes better aeration. As a result, metabolism in plant cells increases, which stimulates more active growth.
Due to redox reactions, in which an extra oxygen atom is involved, peroxide, entering the soil, reduces iron and manganese salts. These substances are vital for the normal development of crops such as:
- tomatoes;
- cucumbers;
- peppers.
In turn, the same oxygen oxidizes nitrites and nitrates, turning them into compounds that are safe for plants and humans. Hydrogen peroxide for seedlings is an excellent disinfectant and aerating agent.
The free oxygen atom prevents root rotting due to excessive watering, especially if the seedlings are planted in heavy clay soil without raising agents. Thin dead parts of the rhizome are cauterized, which prevents further decay.
How is it useful?
The properties that regular peroxide has can be quite useful. Such watering fills the root system with oxygen, since peroxide has an additional atom. Peroxide is found in rainwater and oxidizes various pollutants in the atmosphere. Thanks to peroxide, seedlings will develop better and faster, because... the solution provides oxygen to the leaves in excess. Peroxide can also neutralize nitrates in the soil.
- Disinfects damaged areas.
- Increases seed productivity.
- Improves and disinfects the soil.
- Renews iron salts.
Peroxides are characterized by redox reactions, which play an important role. Once in the soil, it restores manganese and iron salts, which are beneficial for tomatoes.
Treating seeds with hydrogen peroxide
Many gardeners practice treating seeds for seedlings with hydrogen peroxide. Along with potassium permanganate, H₂O₂ increases the vitality of planting material, strengthens the immune system, and stimulates germination.
To pickle seeds, most often they use a 3% peroxide solution, that is, the one that is sold in any pharmacy. It is heated to 35-40°C, the seeds are kept for 7-10 minutes. You can process it in a solution at room temperature, in which case the process will take about 30 minutes.
There are alternative seed treatment methods:
- soaking the seeds in a 10% peroxide solution for 12 hours (the volume of planting material and liquid should be 1:1);
- soaking in a large volume of 0.4% peroxide for 12 hours;
- spraying the seeds from a spray bottle with a 3% solution, followed by drying.
Warning!
Metal containers should not be used for soaking seeds. Treatment with peroxide increases the immunity of seedlings, helps destroy pathogenic microflora, and makes plants more resistant to adverse environmental conditions.
Acting as an oxidizing agent, peroxide decomposes inhibitory substances that are present in the seeds and keeps them dormant. The beneficial effect of H₂O₂ increases the percentage of germination and accelerates the germination process.
Is it possible to treat tomato seeds and seedlings?
Soaking seeds in a solution of hydrogen peroxide can be used for two purposes: to treat the seed material collected with one’s own hands or to increase the percentage of their germination .
Tomato seeds are placed in cheesecloth and soaked in a 3% peroxide solution, which is prepared by adding 3 ml of the product per 100 ml of water.
Soaking time is about 20 minutes. After this, the tomato seed needs to be removed, washed and dried.
If tomatoes are grown in seedlings, it is recommended to periodically feed them with a peroxide solution. Moreover, fertilizing can be carried out root and foliar. To treat young bushes, prepare a solution on the leaf by adding 2 tablespoons of the drug per 1 liter of water.
For root watering of tomato seedlings, dilute 1 tablespoon of the product in 1 liter of water.
The scheme for applying this kind of fertilizer is as follows:
- a couple of weeks after the sprouts appear;
- before landing at a permanent place - with an interval of 1 week;
- a week after planting seedlings on the site.
Tomato seedlings noticeably increase in growth after the first application of fertilizer based on hydrogen peroxide.
How to water seedlings with peroxide
Watering seedlings with peroxide can be done regularly:
- 2 times a week (garden soil);
- Once every 2 weeks (ready purchased soil).
Standard recipe for diluting peroxide for seedlings:
- water – 1 l;
- peroxide 3% – 2 tablespoons.
With each watering, this composition will disinfect and aerate the soil, creating comfortable conditions for plants for active growth. In addition, they also practice daily spraying of seedlings with a solution of H₂O₂ and wiping the leaves.
Important! Feeding tomato and pepper seedlings with hydrogen peroxide should only be done with a freshly prepared solution; this also applies to other crops.
How to dilute hydrogen peroxide for watering tomato seedlings
Tomatoes are one of the crops that respond gratefully to watering with the addition of peroxide. It is especially useful to treat weak and damaged bushes. A solution of hydrogen peroxide for tomato seedlings is prepared at the rate of 50 ml per bucket of water (10 l). Treatment is carried out once every 1-1.5 weeks. The first watering of tomato seedlings with hydrogen peroxide is advisable no earlier than 15-20 days after germination.
The effectiveness of spraying tomato bushes with a weak solution of H₂O₂ has been proven. To do this, peroxide is diluted with warm water in a ratio of 10 tablespoons per 10 liters. The procedure is carried out in the morning or evening hours.
How to feed pepper seedlings with peroxide
Watering pepper seedlings with hydrogen peroxide is identical to treating tomatoes. Experts advise alternating the peroxide solution with plain water. When watering, the soil should be wetted to a depth not exceeding 10-15 cm.
Elongated and weak seedlings will quickly regain strength and catch up with stronger plants. The bush will better grow green mass, which directly affects the future harvest.
Peroxide for cucumber seedlings
Watering cucumbers using H₂O₂, in addition to regularly disinfecting the soil and supplying additional oxygen to accelerate metabolic processes in cells, acts as a preventive antifungal agent. It is used against powdery mildew and to kill aphids. For watering and spraying adult bushes, the product is diluted at the rate of 10 tablespoons per 10 liters of water. It is important that during processing the solution also gets on the back side of the leaves.
How to feed strawberry seedlings with hydrogen peroxide
Strawberries, like other crops, can and should be treated with H₂O₂. To prevent fungal diseases in the spring, water the soil with the following composition:
- water – 1 l;
- 3% H₂O₂ solution – 10 tablespoons.
During the growing season and active fruiting, strawberry bushes are regularly watered and sprayed with peroxide solution (2 tablespoons per 1 liter). The fruits can be eaten after a few hours.
How to dilute peroxide for petunia seedlings
Wanting petunia to be more lush and bloom profusely all season, gardeners often spray the seedlings with water containing peroxide. This widely available and cheap product is diluted in the same proportions as for watering strawberries (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water).
Warning! You cannot use a peroxide solution to water petunia at the root.
Advantages and disadvantages
Hydrogen peroxide (peroxide) is odorless and colorless and has antiseptic properties. Plants in nature feed on rainwater, which has a good effect on development; peroxide can help with this. It keeps the plant roots healthy and does not allow harmful bacteria to develop.
Thanks to peroxide, the seeds will germinate faster , and the roots will become stronger and more branched. Watering with hydrogen peroxide should not be more often than once a week. There are no disadvantages to this fertilizer.
Peroxide can be used as a fertilizer not only for tomatoes, but also for cucumbers, peppers, cabbage and even flowers.
Peroxide against diseases and pests
Spraying seedlings with hydrogen peroxide is useful and effective in detecting diseases, as well as unwanted insects. The substance is included in many formulations for pest control, such as:
- aphid;
- mealybug;
- scale insect
Peroxide is effective in the fight against blackleg, gray and root rot, powdery mildew, late blight, and white spot.
The most popular recipe for preventing most diseases:
- water – 0.9 l;
- medical alcohol 96% – 2 tablespoons;
- peroxide 3% - 50 ml;
- liquid soap – 2-4 drops.
How to dilute peroxide for watering seedlings with late blight
With late blight, which manifests itself in the form of brownish spots on the foliage and dark areas on the fruits, peroxide helps the best. The affected bushes are treated with the following composition:
- water – 2 l;
- 3% H₂O₂ solution – 2 tablespoons.
How to dilute hydrogen peroxide for seedlings with root rot
Black spots in the root area indicate a fungal disease such as root rot. To combat this, use the following:
- water – 1.5 l;
- 3% H₂O₂ solution – 20 ml.
Peroxide against white spotting
With high humidity, a number of crops may develop whitish spots with a brownish border. This is the first sign of white spotting. If this disease is detected, the plants are sprayed several times with an interval of 2-3 days. The effect can be enhanced by adding copper-containing preparations to the standard solution.
Soil treatment
When growing seedlings, it is necessary to water the soil with peroxide, as this technique helps improve the quality of the soil. The containers in which the seeds will be sown should also be treated.
Regardless of whether you purchased a ready-made substrate or the soil was taken from the garden, it is necessary to carry out treatment, since any soil can contain pathogens and insect larvae. Usually, summer residents begin to prepare soil and containers for sowing seeds in winter, for Tatyana’s Day.
For treatments, 1 bottle of the product must be diluted in 4 liters of water. You need to water the soil several days before the planned sowing. This technique will help replenish the lack of oxygen in the soil. It is also advisable to treat the beds after harvesting.
How to spray against pests
Peroxide is effective in combating the most dangerous pests of tomatoes: whiteflies, aphids, cutworms. To remove these pests, you need to prepare a solution of 1 tbsp. peroxide, 10 ml of ammonia, 1 tbsp. grated laundry soap and 1 water.
Important! To ensure that all components dissolve well, you need to use warm water. In this case, repeated treatment is required, which can be carried out no earlier than 10 days after the first.
Hydrogen peroxide can be a real godsend for gardeners growing tomatoes in their garden. The versatility of its use and, most importantly, its benefits make it possible to obtain healthy and high-yielding bushes of the crop. The solution can also be used for cucumbers and peppers.
Against diseases
In order to prevent diseases and as protection against pests, hydrogen peroxide is used for spraying garden and vegetable crops. The solution is prepared according to the recipe:
- 1 liter of water at room temperature;
- 50 ml peroxide;
- 2 tbsp. medical alcohol 70%;
- 2-3 drops of liquid soap.
Carefully move everything and use it undiluted for spraying plants to protect them from aphids, scale insects, and mealybugs. It is also a remedy for blackleg and rot.
The solution is prepared immediately before use.
Precautionary measures
- Before watering and spraying, remove all fallen leaves from the ground.
- Do not exceed the recommended dosage, especially when spraying, since a high concentration of peroxide causes leaf burn.
- A solution of hydrogen peroxide is considered an independent fertilizer; it is not mixed with other types of fertilizers.
- Use only freshly prepared solution.
- A sign of overdose is whitening of the stems or leaves of the plant. In this case, take a break from using the selected product.
The effect of watering seedlings
Systematic watering and spraying of plants with a solution of hydrogen peroxide promotes the rapid growth of seedlings and the formation of healthy seedlings.
- Improvement and strengthening of the root system.
- Increasing plant immunity.
- Additional nutrient medium.
- The extra atom in the external environment is separated from the molecule. The oxygen environment creates living conditions that are impossible for microorganisms (viruses and bacteria).
- Neutralization of nitrites and nitrates.
- Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent for soil. A favorable environment promotes rapid seed germination.
