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Old 14-08-2006, 11:24 PM posted to rec.gardens.orchids
Pat Brennan[_1_] Pat Brennan[_1_] is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Aug 2006
Posts: 34
Default Cleaning Vanda Baskets

I am sorry, was just in the greenhouse repotting redoing the math in my head
and it is wrong. Start at 5 oz peroxide per gallon of water. If after a
couple of times it does not hurt the plant but does not help the wood, then
you might want to try 10 ozs per gallon. Back to potting.

"Pat Brennan" wrote in message
...
Zerotol is a broad-spectrum algaecide/fungicide that is labeled for plant
use (as compared to being labeled for use on hard surfaces). It has a
zero hour REI and requires no respirator. It is available from most of
the grower supply companies. The smallest size I have seen it sold in is
a two and a half gallon jug which sells for more than $100. It is my
understanding that its chemistry differs from Hydrogen Peroxide by one
oxygen. Many smaller growers use Hydrogen Peroxide in the same way
Zerotol is used. Maybe someone in the group has experience using
Peroxide. I am not sure this helps but Zerotol is 27% and is used at .5
to 1.25 oz per gallon. Household Peroxide is 3%. If you do not get any
better suggestions you might want to try 10 ozs peroxide per gallon of
water and see if this clear up the wood without killing the plant. I
would only test it on one plant and if I had an old basket with the mold
and not a plant I would try that first to make sure it will even help.

Pat

"cvandyke" wrote in message
]...
I want to remove the black deposits on the wood baskets in which my Vanda
orchids are growing. Mostly for aesthetics, but I don't want to tear the
plants apart and put them in new baskets. Someone from the AOS mentioned
a product called "xeratrol" or something like that (not sure of the
spelling -could be something related to a peroxide). Does anyone know
what this chemical is and where to get it - or another solution to the
problem?

Thanks

Charles VanDyke