Hydrogen Peroxide For the Treatment of Dying Seedlings
One of the frustrations of rose hybridizing is to watch a seedling slowly die. This season I seemed to have found a treatment that appears to have helped in a number of cases. I use an eye dropper to add undiluted commercial 3% hydrogen peroxide to the seedling. I apply the hydrogen peroxide to the top of the seedling and let it run down the seedling into the soil. I am putting the hydrogen peroxide on very small stressed and/or dying seedlings. Some are too far gone to save, others seem to put on a burst of new growth. The hydrogen peroxide could be acting in either of two possible modes: 1) it supplies oxygen to the roots and/or 2) it is a disinfectant.