7 Reasons Why You Should Sterilize Soil With Hydrogen Peroxide
All environmental conditions must be ideal for your Cannabis plants to thrive, and the health of your soil is at the top of the list. The quality of your potting soil has a significant impact on the health of your cannabis plants.
Not only does soil serve as a home for your cannabis plants, but it also serves as a breeding ground for illnesses, bugs, and unwanted organisms that can destroy your cannabis plants. To solve this problem, you will need to sterilize your soil.
One of the best ways to preserve the integrity and health of your soil is by using hydrogen peroxide to sterilize your potting soil chemically. This article will let you know how to sterilize soil with hydrogen peroxide and 7 reasons why you should do it.
What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?
H2O2 is the chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is simply water (H20) with an extra oxygen atom attached to it. It’s often used as a mild antibacterial and bleaching agent.
Peroxide is a chemical molecule that occurs naturally in raindrops. It’s no surprise that your garden lights up after a good rain shower, emphasizing the necessity of this compound for your plants’ healthy growth.
Reasons Why You Should Sterilize Your Potting Soil Using Hydrogen Peroxide
The act of killing or destroying the action of disease-causing organisms present in soil without damaging your plants is known as soil sterilization.
Chemical sterilization kills or renders diseases dormant, unproductive, or impotent in the soil. It also changes the soil’s chemical and physical qualities.
It is critical to sterilize soil in order to establish the ideal conditions for plant growth and soil development.
Sterilizing soil is essential because:
- It promotes the growth of healthier plants by preventing illness.
- Reduces the likelihood of hazardous infections, bugs, and fungi harming your cannabis plants.
- Reduce cost incurred with poor plant health.
- Boosts the plants’ cycle time.
- Boosts the release of nutrients like nitrates which are essential for plant growth.
7 Benefits Of Sterilizing Soil With Hydrogen Peroxide
1. Disease-free Potting Mix
Healthy plant growth is aided by an organic medium such as compost mix. The medium is high in nutrients, which might cause bacteria and fungus to grow in your vertical farming system. To ensure that your medium is clear of bacteria and illnesses, disinfect it with hydrogen peroxide. To do this, just sprinkle some hydrogen peroxide in your organic potting mix.
2. Increase Oxygen Levels In Hydroponics And Aquaponics Mediums
If you’re growing cannabis plants in water, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the most important factors to remember is that harmful microorganisms thrive in low-oxygen environments like those provided by hydroponics and aquaponics mediums.
Using peroxide to develop healthy, thriving plants is a great way to go. Hydrogen peroxide treatment helps increase oxygen levels in your growing media. This action helps to eliminate an environment in your mobile vertical growing racks that could favor the growth of bacteria.
3. Helps Boost Nutrient Absorption
Apart from boosting the health of your soil, peroxide also promotes the rate at which your cannabis plants absorb nutrients such as potassium.
4. Helps ‘Sanitize’ Your Seeds
Farmers prefer to soak seeds before planting to enhance their germination. Adding hydrogen peroxide to your water solution, on the other hand, speeds up the germination process.
Though most seeds are sterilized, you can soak them in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to also eliminate any germs on the seeds as a precaution.
5. Fights Fungal Diseases
One of the most common uses of peroxide is to combat fungal or mold growth on plants. Powdery mildew and molds are controlled with this chemical, which is gentle on your plants.
According to a study, applying peroxide to plants can help prevent fungi from infecting the plants in the first place. The study also found that the proper concentration is required to avoid harming the plants.
6. Cures Root Rot Caused By Waterlogged Soil
Root rot is a frequent disease in potted plants, and it’s even worse because it lasts the longest in the soil. The yellowing of leaves and the withering of branches are signs of root rot. You can also look at the roots to see if they are properly formed.
Because water drains slowly in potted plants, root rot is commonly caused by waterlogging and compaction. The use of hydrogen peroxide breaks up the soil, allowing for a healthy root system.
7. Water Treatment
If you have to water your cannabis plants with tap water, peroxide can help remove the chlorine. It also kills pathogens and other chemicals in the water.
How To Sterilize Soil Chemically With Hydrogen Peroxide; Step By Step Guide
The most basic form of soil sterilization is hydrogen peroxide treatment. Here’s how to do it.
- Prepare 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. For every gallon of water, add ½ cup of Hydrogen peroxide, then pour into a sprayer.
- To ensure complete coverage, spread the dirt on a plastic sheet. Spread the soil onto a baking paper sheet in a 1cm (0.4 inch) thick layer. As you moisten the layers, you can stack more of them.
- Using a spray bottle, saturate the soil with the peroxide solution. Spray until the soil is moist but not soaked, and make sure to spray evenly, paying special attention to the corners.
- Before using the soil, let the hydrogen peroxide dry. Wait 3-4 hours before planting with the soil. This allows the soil time to dry and provides the peroxide time to sterilize the soil by destroying spores.
- Peroxide should not be administered directly to the soil.
4 Ways To Remain Safe When Using Hydrogen Peroxide To Sterilize Your Soil
Here are some ways to ensure your safety when using hydrogen peroxide.
- Do not heat or boil the mixture. This is because when peroxide is subjected to heat, it may explode.
- Rubber gloves are recommended. When working with the chemical to dilute it, wear gloves as concentrated peroxide can harm the skin.
- Store away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Even sunshine causes peroxide to react, releasing an additional oxygen molecule.
- Keep out of reach of kids and pets as ingesting or consuming this chemical may cause harmful effects.
Remember To Sterilize Your Tools For Maximum Benefits
Some of your soil’s typical pollutants could just as well be your gardening tools. As a result, it’s critical to sterilize them as well.
- Wash the tools well with water to remove dirt and grime.
- Fill a bucket with 2 cups peroxide to a gallon of water
- Dip the metal parts of the garden tools into the solution
- Dry your tools, oil them to keep them from rusting and store them somewhere dry and clean.
Hydrogen Peroxide Will Help Create An Ideal Indoor Cannabis Grow Environment
Even in the ideal cannabis grow room, hydrogen peroxide plays a crucial role in your plants’ health. Bacteria and fungus cannot survive in high-oxygen conditions. Peroxide aids in increasing the oxygen levels in your plants’ growing medium and water source.
This substance aids in the prevention and treatment of diseases while also keeping harmful insects at bay. When utilizing hydrogen peroxide, it’s crucial to get the appropriate ratio because too much can harm the plant. On the other hand, a proper ratio creates solid and abundant-yielding plants.
If looking for the best cannabis vertical equipment, talk to us today and let us help you double or even triple your cannabis yields!
