Hydrogen peroxide, well known as an ingredient in disinfectant products, is now also approved for controlling microbial pests on crops growing indoors and outdoors, and on certain crops after harvest. This active ingredient prevents and controls bacteria and fungi that cause serious plant diseases.
Here's how: The chemical kills the bacteria that causes root rot in plants. It also breaks down into the soil and releases extra oxygen that helps the plant grow new, healthy roots. Before you use hydrogen peroxide on your plants, you'll need to dilute it.
H202 kills the bacteria and fungi in the soil responsible for root rot, and restores oxygen to help remaining roots recover faster. Directions: 1:1 ratio of Oxygen Plus 3% and water. Bottom water or top water so potting mix is fully saturated. Avoid leaves (pouring on leaves can burn them).
Hydrogen peroxide is active against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, and spores 78, 654. A 0.5% accelerated hydrogen peroxide demonstrated bactericidal and virucidal activity in 1 minute and mycobactericidal and fungicidal activity in 5 minutes 656.
Hydrogen peroxide can easily kill fungus on the surface level but is not intended for internal use. You can pour hydrogen peroxide over the infected area, but be aware it may sting and should bubble, especially if you have any open wounds.
While hydrogen peroxide isn't a good choice for your skin, its antiseptic properties make it useful around the house. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can kill viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi and spores.
As an added bonus, hydrogen peroxide can help discourage unwanted bacteria/fungi that may be lurking in the garden. To give plants an added boost of oxygen or for pest control using the 3% solution, add 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) per cup (240 ml.) of water in a spray bottle and mist the plant.
Mix 1 1/2 Tablespoons baking soda and 1 1/2 tablespoons 3% peroxide with 2 and a half gallons (approximately 9.46 liters) of water for a powerful homemade anti fungal solution that can be sprayed directly on the plant leaves. This is helpful in getting rid of powdery mildew and other leaf spot diseases.
Spray your plants' foliage once per week if you're using hydrogen peroxide as a preventive. If your garden already has bugs, you may need to use hydrogen peroxide two or three times per week to get rid of them. You should also apply the spray after it rains, as the showers will wash off any spray you have applied.
Bugs don't like hydrogen peroxide, making it an excellent repellant to protect your plants. Additionally, the extra oxygen in the solution effectively kills the eggs and larvae from insects that have taken up residence in your plants.
If you decide to use a bit more, please make it only a little bit more, don't get carried away. Gardening with hydrogen peroxide is great, but too much can harm your plants.
When not to use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be used everywhere from your kitchen to your bathroom. But keep it away from wounds and acne.
Hydrogen peroxide is a highly reactive solution. When it comes into contact with a catalase, it releases oxygen and water causing bubbles. 3 If there is blood, bacteria, or another catalase on the skin, hydrogen peroxide will react with it and cause bubbling.
Hydrogen peroxide kills mold effectively on materials such as clothing, floors, bathroom fixtures, walls and items such as kitchen appliances.
Dilute 2.5ml hydrogen peroxide and 3 drops of neem oil to a 7500ml spray bottle to spray leaves. 2.5ml ammonia and 2.5ml neem oil once a week for pest control in spray bottle.
Don't just pour straight hydrogen peroxide on the roots. Instead, create a mixture of one part 3% hydrogen peroxide and two parts water, and put it in a watering can or spray bottle. You can either use it while the plant is still in the pot, or after taking it out of the pot.
Applying hydrogen peroxide to toenails every day can help get rid of ugly nail fungus. However, this remedy requires lots of patience.
Hydrogen peroxide can discolor or damage certain materials, such as fabrics, leather, and wood, so be sure to test it on a small, unnoticeable area before using.
Depending on the concentration, breathing hydrogen peroxide vapor can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, and breathing difficulty. Serious eye or skin burns and bleaching of the hair may result from contact with hydrogen peroxide solutions.
70% isopropyl alcohol kills organisms by denaturing their proteins and dissolving their lipids and is effective against most bacteria, fungi and many viruses, but is ineffective against bacterial spores (CDC, 2020).
Isopropyl alcohol may be intermittently effective against fungus but it is not effective against fungal spores. Treatment of mold and fungus is generally considered a problem of moisture and humidity.
Fungicides are pesticides that kill or prevent the growth of fungi and their spores. They can be used to control fungi that damage plants, including rusts, mildews and blights. They might also be used to control mold and mildew in other settings.