Preventing stem and root rot

[Arcygenical]

Stem and root rot are common problems with most indoor plants, and Salvia divinorum is especially susceptible to these conditions. Stem rot is generally provoked by low oxygen high water conditions. Many of the protozoa which contribute to stem/root rot are anaerobic bacteria and Fungi. Therefore, aerating the soil can decrease both their prevalence and ability to decompose a living plant. There are two tricks one can employ to increase soil aeration.

Straw Method
Take a regular 4" long plastic straw, poke about 100 pin pricks in it in random locations. Use a skewer to clear a hole and place the straw in. Do this about 5-6 times around the various portions of the planter... A great way to stave off stem and root rot.

H2O2 Method
Mix 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H202) into each quart (32 fl oz) of water or 1 tablespoon of 10% H2O2 into each gallon of water. Fill a sealable bottle with the mixture (try not to leave much air space) and let it sit for 30 mins then use it to water your plant. Be careful not to pour this mix directly on the leaves/stems of your plant, pour it all into the soil. Watering with this mixture every other month or so achieves more or less the same effect as the Straw Method. H202 is basically water with an extra unstable oxygen molecule. Adding it to your watering regime can greatly increase soil aeration.

Another preventative measure is to sterilize your soil before planting, read more about that here: Sterilizing your soil

[JDogHerman]

So when using H2O2, what % are you using?

[Arcygenical]

A tablespoon of 10% per gallon of water.

A tablespoon of 3% per quart of water.

Let the mixture stand in a sealed bottle (make sure you fill it directly to the top to prevent gasses from releasing) for about 30m before watering.

[MstryShovel]

yeah make sure you dont make it to strong, or pour the mixture directly onto the green plant parts, especialy little buds, the stem will survive but it will destroy the weaker plantmatter like leaves
i learned that the hard way

[Paradoxic]

Thanks, I added this to the article. Genius+ That would have been a bad thing to leave out. Today I've been making some corrections to articles and it's just amazing how well wiki-style information works. With everyone contributing to the articles they become so much more complete and accurate.

[Cakes]

There are test strips for oxygen now, just like pH strips.

When using h2o2 in reservoirs, elevated levels of oygen can be detected for 7 - 10 days afterwards.

Oxygenating water in the reservoir with an air stone is good. but also it is good to have an oxygenated bucket to draw from for soil grows where the water is poured on by hand.

I have an air pump who's tube leads to under my soil. under the soil i have a mesh so the entire underside of the soil is exposed. the sides are sealed. the air is trapped. sometimes i see flues open in the soil surface because the air filters up from down below.   

There is also a soild soil amendment made of oxygen. Little pieces that get put in the soil mix.

[DrYRHead]

So when using H2O2, what % are you using?

I'm thinking the 3% hydrogen peroxide.

[Arcygenical]

So when using H2O2, what % are you using?

I'm thinking the 3% hydrogen peroxide.

That is correct.

[Jupe]

Anyone know if H202 kills ALL fungus and bacteria?

 Might sustain the very cycle it intends to disrupt.....boom and bust......,

 Soil beneficials eat up the bad guys, when soil is healthy.

[Arcygenical]

It doesn't really kill any bacteria, or at least, that's not it's main function. It's to supply oxygen. Now, naturally, this will decrease the efficiency of anaerobic bacteria, as they can't operate under such oxygenated conditions... But the H202 is mainly to get oxygen to the plant's roots, so it doesn't suffocate in older soil. Stem rot, is, IMO, mainly a product of lack of aeration and too much hydration... Which are both prevented with an H202 bath every so often.

[tator547]

Im working on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sticks its basically just putting a couple of toothpicks in some hydrogen peroxide and letting them soak up as much as possible then you put it in soil around your plant the stick a 4th of it above ground and it should in theory give it enough oxygen*in progress dont rely completly open for solution to rot* these just maintain the level the 3% is a boost

[Arcygenical]

Im working on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sticks its basically just putting a couple of toothpicks in some hydrogen peroxide and letting them soak up as much as possible then you put it in soil around your plant the stick a 4th of it above ground and it should in theory give it enough oxygen*in progress dont rely completly open for solution to rot* these just maintain the level the 3% is a boost

That's not a bad idea. I would suspect, even at a concentration of 3%, might be harmful to roots...

[JDogHerman]

What should I do about stem rot now that it is spreading?

H2O2?

give up?

[MstryShovel]

sorry for the slow reply these nested forums usualy slip under my radar, if the root rot is spread up your stem then it could mean disaster, im sure youve already had to deal with/burry your plant but its best to try to take a cutting about 3 nodes away from the rot, and try rooting the cutting, using h2o2 to clean the cutting then a rooting hormone. Ive found that even though ive taken a cutting(took it one node away from the rot) that the bottom was already in "shutdown mode" and just continued to rot.

[IrishLad55]

I'm using a 1 part vermiculite, 1 part perlite, 3 parts soil mix for my new rooting cutting. It's growing in two 2L pop bottle halves placed over one another to serve as a humidity chamber. I've just sent straws from my chamber to a 1L bottle of water, yeast, and sugar which serves as my CO2 supply. If anaerobic bacteria cause stem/root rot could my setup be a bad one? Or could I leave  it the way it is safely?