What are the benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide and

how do I apply it?

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) it is made up of
Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2), however
H2O2 has an extra Oxygen atom in an unstable
arrangement - it is this extra negatively charged
Oxygen atom that gives H2O2 its useful
properties. H2O2 is 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 FAQ focuses on its use in
horticultural applications. H2O2 is of great use
for both hydroponics and dirt/soilless gardening.
What Does Hydrogen Peroxide do?
H2O2 is an unstable molecule; when it breaks
down, a single oxygen atom (O-)and a molecule
of water is released. This oxygen atom is
extremely reactive and will attach itself to either
another Oxygen atom (forming a stable O2
molecule) or attack a nearby organic molecule.
H2O2 will rapidly eliminate the Chlorine used in
many municipal water supplies, as well as
degrade any pesticides, herbicides or other
organic matter that might be present. Well water

is often high in methane and organic sulfates,

both of which H2O2 will remove. Both the stable
and O- forms will increase the level of dissolved
oxygen. Increasing the DO in your nutrient
solution will benefit the root system and be
detrimental to harmful anaerobic bacteria such
as pythium. Many disease-causing organisms
and spores are killed by the free O- atom. The
free Oxygen atom will destroy dead organic
material (i.e., leaves and roots) in the system,
preventing them from rotting and spreading
diseases. H2O2 will help eliminate existing
infections and will help prevent future ones. It is
also useful for suppressing algae growth.
Over Watering
Both soil and hydroponic plants often fall prey to
the same syndrome. Hydroponic crops often fail
due to "root rot" and soil crops succumb to
"over-watering." The actual cause is a shortage
of Oxygen at the root zone, allowing a Pythium
infection to take hold. 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 the dissolved oxygen within these pore

spaces. If the root system has not absorbed the

water within these pore spaces, air will not be
able to enter and Oxygen within that space will
become depleted. In a low oxygen environment,
roots will begin dying within twenty-four hours.
As the roots die, the plants ability to uptake
water and nutrients will drastically decrease, and
the plant will show symptoms of nutrient
deficiencies (pale leaves, and slow growth).
Plants will start to wilt (appearing water
deficient) at this point many growers will
mistakenly water their plants! In a Hydroponic
system, oxygen deprivation is often caused by
high temperatures and inadequate nutrient
circulation and/or aeration. High reservoir
temperatures interfere with Oxygen's ability to
dissolve into water. Temperatures above 70F
(20C) will eventually cause problems, 62F-65F
(16C-18C) is recommended. Oxygen deprivation
symptoms in hydroponics are similar to that of
soil - but at least you are able to check the roots.
Healthy roots should be mostly white with
maybe a slight yellowish tan tinge. If they are a
brownish color with dead tips or they easily pull
away there is at least the beginning of a serious
problem. An organic, dirt like rotting smell
means there is already a very good chance it is
too late. As roots die and rot, they remove

Oxygen out of the water; as Oxygen levels are

depleted even further. more will roots die - a
viscous circle!. Reduced Oxygen levels and high
temperatures encourage anaerobic bacteria and
fungi, which attack the plant further mercilessly.
How does Hydrogen Peroxide prevent root rot &
over-watering
Plants watered with H2O2 will experience extra
oxygen in the root zone when the peroxide
breaks down. 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 Hydroponic systems, 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.
How to use/apply 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. When working with food
grade H2O2, it is very important that you clean
up any spills or splashes immediately, it will
damage almost oxidize everything very quickly.
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 be 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 3 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. For hydroponic
applications, use every reservoir change and

replace twenty-five percent (one quarter) every

day. Example: In a 100L (25gal) 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. [Editors note:
high concentrations of H2O2 can be detrimental
to organic additives (such as beneficial
additives) and organic nutrient mixtures.]
Application: US Standard
1. 28*G/C= Liquid Oz's per day
Metric 10*L/C= Ml per day
Where; C= % concentration of H2O2 L= Number
of liters in reservoir G= Number of Gallons in
reservoir
Example: How much 3% H202 should I add to 7
gallons of nutes?
1. 28*7/3=2.986 Oz's each day.
Where to get it
35% food grade is called food grade because it
has no toxic impurities. Of course your local
hydroponics retailer or web stores have it (there
may be shipping restrictions on high strength
peroxides). 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.
What to do if you already have root rot
In Soil:
Use peroxide water with a fungicide and a high
Phosphate fertilizer (9-45-15, 10-52-10, 0-60-0)
for additional root growth. Or any other product
with rooting hormone dissolved in it is helpful in
re-growing roots and is strongly recommended.
Water heavily until liquid pours out the bottom of
the pot this method helps flush 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 Hydroponics:
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 cut 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. Increase aeration of
the reservoir add air pumps and stones. An air
stone under every plant is usually very effective,
but will require a larger air pump. 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 wilting 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 productive plants is a healthy root
system; 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.