Anyone know about OXYGEN BOOSTING ur plants roots??

[-hydrofarmer-]

Why does Greenthumb have to prove anything mate?

This is old stuff bro calm down

 

[smokestack23]

My turn.

H202 is a great clean-up product. I think of it as bleach but without the residue and smell. Kinda friendly bleach. It can also be used as a foliar spray to kill some pests/pathogens.

To use it as a root BOOSTER though??...I don't think that a tablespoon of 3 or 8% into 25gallons is going to richly oxygenate your water.

Showing growing healthy roots doesn't really prove much. You would need several "specimens" with different ratios of peroxide as well as some control specimens. I'm pretty sure there are DO meters you can get for not too much $. At least then you'd KNOW the difference it makes as an oxygen "boost".

As far as using it to kill or prevent pathogens...it could be considered almost as dangerous as misusing antibiotics I'd think? After multiple acute (short) exposures to unfavorable conditions, most organisms will evolve or adapt and become resistant.

After doing a lot of post reading from the real world (ie: experienced growers of Hydroponic Marijuana) I think the keys to healthy plants in a Hydro solution are:
Proper amounts of DO in the solution..usually physically from agitation, circulation, aeration, and correct temperature ranges.

Knowing how to deal with different pathogens. We know that H202 will do nothing to ward-off brown algae but is lethal to other types of "root rot". For some things (like the brown algae or slime) beneficial bacterium and fungii are the answers. For others the answer is wide scale "sterilization"..meaning killing ALL organisms..except the plants of course. For some there are "targeted" approaches such as physan20.

H202 is not the best really for ANY of the things mentioned (other than maybe cleaning) and will do nothing (perhaps even worsen) for some "issues".

SO..you want more Oxygen? Don't forget, there is a ceiling to how much the plants will use or can use..keep water temps in range, keep it moving, and use bubblers/venturis/powerheads, waterfalls.... to keep the optimal DO levels.

You want to kill pythium, root rot and other root pathogens..use a product like SM90 or DMZone.
To get rid of slime or brown algea, use benes or a product like physan20.
to disinfect and clean your system...Hydrogen Peroxide.

Using a BIT of H202 constantly will PROBABLY not cause you any problems but if you have the optimum DO already there's no point. If you need more DO, H202 is not the way to go about getting it. Tweaking the system is.
If your after a sterile or dead nutrient solution, again..H202 is not the best product.

I think that's what a lot of people were trying to say in the beginning of this thread.
Condensed version:
Pictures of healthy roots does not prove anything. Kinda like saying..look there are no polar bears here because I keep clapping my hands.

and

H202 is not the best product ..not even a "good" product for anything other than sterilizing/cleaning your system.

 

[Lost]

You forgot to write at the top, In my opinion.

:)

 

[smokestack23]

Oh right..forgot.
IMO IMHO IMVHO AFAIK YMMV..and finally, FWIW.

All of those. :)

HOWEVER, there are several "seasoned veterans" who chimed-in on this thread. How many of YOU use H202 as a Root Booster?
AHA!! ..that's what I THOUGHT!

So, while I don't and can't speak for all of us, it could be called IOHOs?

I'll be the first to hop on board the peroxide boat if it can provide a substantial amount of O in my solution. I could get rid of airstones, recirc pumps, chillers..just add H202 daily and boom..DO in the water!

Seriously..I would. less power consumption too. H202 is cheaper than coca cola. Oxygen in a bottle? I hope so. ..or I wish or whatever.

 

[Lost]

Smokestack, have you run a sterile res using H2o2 before? I have run both. Normally I use Great White, Roots Excelurator, and multi zen.

Sometimes not, depends on what exactly I am doing. As far as "boosting" and how much extra oxygen it delivers, thats for people smarter than I to prove, But I can tell you that if you are geing sterile res, its a great tool, with not bad side effects :)

People tend to make blanket statements about things in growig because they are relating to what they do and their experience. Thats all good and fine, but you also need to realize when you make certain statements about wether its a good solution or or not, well thats really going to depend of our grow strategy.


Good luck everyone! :)

 

[Lost]

HOWEVER, there are several "seasoned veterans" who chimed-in on this thread. How many of YOU use H202 as a Root Booster?
AHA!! ..that's what I THOUGHT!

I don't get to be a seasoned vet? Damn! hehehehe;(

 

[smokestack23]

Yeah..I probably shouldn't just chime-in when I have no real experience. Really though..showing roots doesnt mean much. i can show roots that are solid white bricks the shape of rubbermaid containers. I wouldn't be able to point at them and say..I do not use H202 and that's why I have vicious roots.

I do run a sterile set-up though but with SM90 and Zone. I DO use H202 for cleaning between crops.

How happy would you be though if you bought and used the latest ROOT BOOSTER from company "x" only to discover they were selling you peroxide with another name. I guess you wouldn't mind if you saw amazing results.

I dunno though...we knew that H202 would help oxygenate reses and mediums since the '80s (or before?..I knew about it in the '80s). It was never considered a big root booster or a great help with DO back then.

Actually..so I guess the answer is YES...I HAVE used it as an oxygenator(?) before...didn't notice a difference. At least none that I remember..we didn't say..WOW what a difference..let's keep on using this stuff. Maybe the peroxide of today is different?

Anyway..like you said..it probably wont hurt anything. I just don't know that everyone should run out and buy H202 and expect it to cause explosive root growth.

That's all my opinion only and everyone has one of those.
Over and out.

 

[dextr0]

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is a clear sharp smelling substance very similar in appearance to water (H2O). Like water it is made up of Hydrogen and Oxygen, however H2O2 has an extra Oxygen atom in an unstable arrangement. It is this extra atom that gives H2O2 its useful properties. H2O2 has been used for many purposes including cleaning, bleaching, sterilizing, rocket fuel, animal feed treatment and in addition many miraculous claims about its health benefits have been made. This article isn't about any of these; instead it will concentrate on horticultural applications. H2O2 is of great use for both hydroponics and dirt/soilless gardening.

1. What Does Hydrogen Peroxide do?
H2O2 is an unstable molecule, when it breaks down a single oxygen atom and a molecule of water is released. This oxygen atom is extremely reactive and will attach itself to either another O- atom forming a stable Oxygen molecule or attack a nearby organic molecule. Both the stable and O- forms will increase the level of dissolved oxygen. This is the method by which H2O2 is beneficial. Pretreating the water supply with H2O2 will drive out the Chlorine many cities use to sterilize it. This will also degrade any pesticides or herbicides that might be present as well as any other organic matter. Well water can be high in methane and organic sulfates, both of which H2O2 will remove. Many disease causing organisms and spores are killed by Oxygen, the free Oxygen H2O2 releases is extremely effective at this. H2O2 will help eliminate existing infections and will help prevent future ones. It is also useful for suppressing algae growth. The free Oxygen atom will destroy dead organic material (i.e, leaves roots) in the system preventing them from rotting and spreading diseases.

2.Over Watering
Roots require Oxygen to breathe and low levels are the main cause of almost all root diseases. Both soil and hydroponic plants often fall prey to the same syndrome although it is rarely recognized as what it really is. Hydroponic crops often fail due to "root rot" and soil crops succumb to "over watering." The real cause of both these problems is a shortage of Oxygen at the root zone. In a soil system the soil consists of particles, a film of water on the particles and air spaces between the particles. When too much water is put into the soil the air spaces fill with liquid. The roots will quickly use up what Oxygen is dissolved in the water, if they haven't drunk enough of the liquid to allow air back in to the soil spaces they will stop working. In this situation roots will start dying within twenty-four hours. As the roots die the plants ability to drink water and nutrients will decrease, this will cause symptoms of nutrient deficiencies (mostly pale, slow, weak growth), and strangely they will start to wilt like they don't have enough water. It is easy to make a fatal mistake at this point and add more water.

In a Hydroponic system the cause is a more direct simple lack of oxygen in the solution, this may be from inadequate circulation and/or aeration. High reservoir temperatures also interfere with Oxygen's ability to dissolve in the water. Temperatures above 70F (20C) will eventually cause problems, 62F-65F (16C-18C) is recommended. The same symptoms will appear as with soil plants but you can also check the roots. Healthy roots should be mostly white with maybe a slight yellowish tan tinge. If they are a brownish colour with dead tips or they easily pull away there is at least the beginnings of a serious problem. An organic dirtlike rotting smell means there is already a very good chance it is too late. As roots die and rot they eat Oxygen out of the water, as Oxygen levels are even further depleted more roots die, a viscius circle may be well under way. Reduced Oxygen levels and high temperatures both encourage anaerobic bacteria and fungi. The plants may still be saved but you will have to work fast.

3. How Hydrogen Peroxide prevents root rot/overwatering.
When plants are watered with H2O2 it will break down and release Oxygen into the area around the roots. This helps stop the Oxygen from being depleted in the water filled air spaces until air can get back into them. High Oxygen levels at the roots will encourage rapid healthy root growth. In a Hydroponic system H2O2 will disperse through out the system and raise Oxygen levels as it breaks down. Strong white healthy roots with lots of fuzzy new growth will be visible. This fuzzy growth has massive surface area allowing for rapid absorption of the huge amounts of water and nutrients needed for rapid top growth. A healthy plant starts with a healthy root system.

4. How to use it.
H2O2 comes in several different strengths 3%, 5%, 8% and 35%, also sold as food grade Hydrogen Peroxide. The most economical is 35% which we recommend be diluted to three percent before using, as at this high concentration it can cause damage to skin and clothing. When working with food grade H2O2 it is very important that you clean up any spills or splashes immediately, it will damage almost anything very quickly. This is extra important with skin and clothing. Skin will be temporarily bleached pure white if not washed cleaned. Gloves are strongly recommended when working with any strong chemical.

Food grade H2O2 can be diluted to three percent by mixing it one part to eleven parts water (preferably distilled). The storage container should be opaque to prevent light from getting in and it must be able to hold some pressure. If three-liter pop bottles are available in your area they are ideal for mixing and storing H2O2. There are twelve quarter liters (250ml) in three liters, if you put in one quarter liter H2O2 and eleven quarter liters (250ml) water in the bottle it will full of three percent H2O2 and the bottle can hold the pressure that the H2O2 will generate. Three percent Hydrogen Peroxide may be added at up to three ml's per liter (2 1\2 tsp. Per gallon), but it is recommended that you start at a lower concentration and increase to full strength over a few weeks. Use every watering even on fresh cuttings. For hydroponics use every reservoir change and replace twenty-five percent (one quarter) every day. Example: In a 100L reservoir you would add three hundred ml's (3%) H2O2 when changing the nutrient. You would then add seventy-five ml's more every day.

5. Where to get it.
35% food grade: called food grade because it has no toxic impurities
Of course your local hydroponics retailer, whom you can locate over the web at www.hydromall.com. Direct order off the web (there may be shipping restrictions on high strength peroxides). H2O2 is used to bleach hair so the local hairdresser may have a source. The local feed supplier may have it in small towns. Prices range from fifteen dollars per quarter liter to eighty dollars a gallon. One gallon will treat up to fifty thousand liters of water.

3%5%, 8%
Can be found at most drugstores or pharmacies, prices start at a less than a dollar for a one hundred-ml bottle that will treat one hundred liters.

6. What to do if you already have root rot.

In Dirt:
Use peroxided water with anti-fungicide (benomyl) and a high Phosphate fertilizer (9-45-15, 10-52-10, 0-60-0) for root growth. Root booster (5-15-5) or any other product with rooting hormone dissolved in it is helpful in regrowing roots and is strongly recommended. If a plant is wilty adding Nutri-Boost may save it. Water heavily until liquid pours out the bottom of the pot. This sound like bad idea, but it flushes out stagnant dead water and replaces it with fresh highly oxygenated water. Don't let plants sit in trays full of water, the soil will absorb this water and stay too wet. Don't water again until the pot feels light and the top inch or two of the soil are dry.

In Hydro:
Change your nutrients. Add H2O2 to the system. This will add oxygen and chemically eat dead roots. If roots are badly rotted and can be pulled away by hand you should pull them off. They are already dead and will only rot, causing further problems. Add a fungicide to kill any fungus that is probably present in the rotted tissue to prevent it from spreading. Root booster will speed recovery. If plants are wilty Nutri-Boost may help save them. Increase aeration of the water, get an airpump and air stones, or more of them, for the reservoir. An air stone under every plant is usually very effective, but will require a larger air pump. Models that will do from forty to four hundred stones are available. Decrease the reservoir temperature, oxygen dissolves better in cold water and disease causing organisms reproduce slower as well. A good temperate range is 62F to 65F; anything above 70F will eventually cause a problem. It is also a good idea to remove any wilty plants from the system and put them on a separate reservoir so they don't infect plants that are still healthy.

Summary
The key to big productive plants is a big healthy root system and Hydrogen Peroxide is a great way to keep your roots healthy. It is a must to ensure the biggest best crops possible and to increase the chances of your plants thriving to harvest. Peroxide users will rarely lose plants or crops to root disease and will harvest larger and more consistent crops.

 

[MediMary]

+1 dex

 

[altitudefarmer]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Dextr0 again." I was cracking up at this thread and wanted to chime in, but you posted it all. Nice work.

 

[MediMary]

Muhahahahah

 

[dextr0]

^^^Medi u drew that up!!lol.....

I actually been thinking about this thread and wonder if I am wrong.

A question.
Does H202= more dissolved oxygen in water? Because if it does, is that not what people are trying to accomplish in UC to improve root growth?

 

[MediMary]

nah, thats about my drawing level, but I ain't that clever :)

I have read that it adds oxygen others say the extra oxygen molecule dissipated to quickly to make a difference.. I think someone needs to bust out the DO meter and post up some tests... I like h202, but I think it would be a bit of pain to use it in the UC.

My logic for this, you need to redose every 3-4 days, don't want to just pour the h202 into the epicenter (IMO).
What I would do is drain the whole system, then mix the h2o2 in, then refill the system... I know some folks will say thats overkill on my behalf, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in my book.

 

[dextr0]

Sorry, im not saying that H202 be used in UC to boost oxygen levels.

Im actually saying was Greenthumb right in saying his plants were getting what could not be accomplished by using a current or pump...whatever u want to insert here that we use to higher DO levels in his situation. Obviously he doesnt have a current to work with u know.

Idk, I guess I just found it interesting yet confusing that we all agree that it boosts oxygen, but its not good for a oxygen root booster.

 

[MediMary]

nevermind:)