3 Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide for Starting Seeds Indoors: Fungus Gnats, Molds, Fungi, & Germination

3 Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide for Starting Seeds Indoors: Fungus Gnats, Molds, Fungi, & Germination

All the recipes for using hydrogen peroxide indoors for you seed starts and transplants. These are my modified ratios and recipes for 2023.

Initial Soil Drench for Sterilizing & Germination
Soil Drench: 4 parts water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide

Managing Molds and Fungi
Spray: 6 parts water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide
Soil Drench: (maintaining health) 5 parts water and 1 part H202

Fungus Gnat Infestation
Spray: 4 parts water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide
Soil Drench: 3 parts water and 1 part H202

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50 Comments

  1. @brianseybert2189 on July 19, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    Had to comment on your seed starting room. Mine is much worse than yours, not even counting the beer bottles, lol.
    Made a commitment last year to keep the outside garden more clutter free, and for the most part it was a success!
    Just bought some new lights for my new wire shelf system. Looked like a bomb hit the place, took me 10 minutes to find my pliers.
    Spring is coming!!! Stay Well!!!



  2. @billarnol722 on July 19, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    Hi is this Hydrogen Peroxide mix of use for aphids and white fly etc as the plants grow? Or only for seed raising.



  3. @GenerousWealth on July 19, 2024 at 1:04 pm

    I like the printed instructions you overlay your picture with and that you mostly show what you’re doing nice and close and minimize view of yourself which is handsome!

    Leaving the print on the screen a little longer would give me a better chance to read it. Thanks for your training and teaching.



  4. @alexandermonzon8165 on July 19, 2024 at 1:04 pm

    Getting Put on game again…Thanks Brotha 3% Hydrogen Peroxide gonna check out what i have at home and use it before it goes bad i do have green stuf on the top layer of my soil now know why its Algea from n8t drying off on top layer…



  5. @blueeyes31460 on July 19, 2024 at 1:04 pm

    Do you leave the 1/4 inch of water / H20 in the bottom and just leave it?



  6. @chitownholmes on July 19, 2024 at 1:07 pm

    Too much repetition. Just explain what you did



  7. @l.skipallen9080 on July 19, 2024 at 1:09 pm

    WOULD BOILING WATER KILL THE SOIL BIOLOGY ?



  8. @metalrabbit09 on July 19, 2024 at 1:10 pm

    Do the hydrogen peroxide sprays and drenches work well when the plants have been up-potted to potting soil and are still indoors under grow lights?



  9. @paulabusa2037 on July 19, 2024 at 1:12 pm

    I did a drench for my plants and also added sticky butterfly shaped plant inserts (but put them just near the plants) to catch the adults and worked like a charm! Now I just keep one under my grow lights and no knats! Catches the adults if around.



  10. @brownbear3699 on July 19, 2024 at 1:13 pm

    I started my seeds a few days ago and I added cinnamon. I didn’t know about this thank you 😊.



  11. @memelc5655 on July 19, 2024 at 1:14 pm

    How long is h2o2 last in bottle



  12. @roadmap5351 on July 19, 2024 at 1:14 pm

    Gary, would this work for aphids? I have a raised bed in my greenhouse and have battled aphids in there for three last two years



  13. @aubreydanielaz8392 on July 19, 2024 at 1:15 pm

    Oh my gosh! I really needed this video. My husband and kids told me all my plants should go outside tonight because the gnats are so bothersome. I tried neem oil spray and they’re still flying everywhere. I’ll do the hydrogen peroxide soak tomorrow.👍



  14. @laurellovelace9294 on July 19, 2024 at 1:16 pm

    A lot of people have those seed starting trays with a wicking mat and reservoir of water underneath. Do you think those lead to overly wet soil? If you use those then I wonder if the soil ever has a chance to dry out.



  15. @MichaelJosephJr934 on July 19, 2024 at 1:18 pm

    QUESTION:
    Gary what do you do with the old Seed Starting Mix after use? Can we amend it and reuse it as Starting mix again? Or amend and use in the outdoor garden?



  16. @dorothyv2863 on July 19, 2024 at 1:19 pm

    Hey Gary, thanks for your help. I just bought your book & I love it!! Concise, easy to understand & full of great gardening advice. Thanks again!



  17. @kakolesha1 on July 19, 2024 at 1:21 pm

    We miss you here Gary; are you ok?



  18. @THERUSTEDGARDEN on July 19, 2024 at 1:24 pm

    Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up… use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program https://www.therustedgarden.com/

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  19. @dianelakata1308 on July 19, 2024 at 1:25 pm

    Thanks to you I always put 1:37 boiling water into potting soil and cover the container; especially soil I am reusing



  20. @drrmagneto4176 on July 19, 2024 at 1:25 pm

    im a seed collector, can you advice tips of how to store them and what to do if i collect one infected fungal seed on my storage area, is thier any solation like adding hydrogen peroxide wash before storing



  21. @genevabrown450 on July 19, 2024 at 1:26 pm

    If I wait to start my seed exacly 5 weeks before my last frost date I can usually get my starts outside before any problems are incubated… 🥧



  22. @danellefrost5030 on July 19, 2024 at 1:28 pm

    Thank you!



  23. @barbaraberkman8439 on July 19, 2024 at 1:29 pm

    Can the spray be used on microgreens that will be consumed? Thank you.



  24. @mneraasen224 on July 19, 2024 at 1:32 pm

    So annoyed that I didn’t watch this two weeks ago. I kept waiting for my tips to dry out to pour the peroxide solution from the top🤦‍♀️ We had a warm up in November right before Thanksgiving in DE. We had our floors done and the guys left the front door open. We didn’t notice until the left that one of the room they were in had the window open with no screen and with the light in we noticed 100’s of gnats that I am still trying to get rid of. I’m finally seeing a few here and there but what a pain🤦‍♀️ I went in panic mode when I was starting my herbs and onions with worry they would all come back😂🤦‍♀️🤔🤨



  25. @Jonathan-Hack on July 19, 2024 at 1:36 pm

    Could you do a soil drench with seedlings growing in them? I think im having a prob with root rot just starting and want to kill it off.



  26. @carleanr4051 on July 19, 2024 at 1:36 pm

    I’ve got my pen and paper ready whenever I get a notification from you. Always great information. I’m grateful for you!💚🪴



  27. @titanart6225 on July 19, 2024 at 1:36 pm

    Gary, QUESTION: I would like to prepare seed starting mix and have it reserved for next season. I’ve used boiling water to sterilize the mix as you’ve showed us. Should I use the boiling water even if it’s going to sit for several weeks or can I cover it and let it sit — will the potential fungus gnat eggs die? I have a 35 gallon barrel with a top, I was gonna either soak the mix with boiling water or maybe just cover it. What do you recommend?



  28. @bobrowninghorton4976 on July 19, 2024 at 1:38 pm

    Hey Gary, I was wondering can I start my tomatoes,peppers, and eggplants together? Or will they not germinate relative together, I have a heat mat. Please get back with me.



  29. @laurellovelace9294 on July 19, 2024 at 1:39 pm

    I had no fungus gnats in my seed starting area until I bought some bare root plants from walmart. I potted them up and put them under the grow lights near where my seedlings are. Big mistake! But it sounds like I could’ve soaked the bare roots in a h2o2 solution and prevented that?



  30. @KB-2222 on July 19, 2024 at 1:40 pm

    Peroxide isn’t actually GOOD for cuts. Use iodine.



  31. @dnkjb on July 19, 2024 at 1:41 pm

    Thank you! Exactly what I needed. ❤️



  32. @dianelakata1308 on July 19, 2024 at 1:41 pm

    I have very healthy fungus gnats in my houseplant jungle. I have only used sticky tabs which are pretty effective but not enough!! I will use the H2O2.



  33. @jamesedwards2687 on July 19, 2024 at 1:41 pm

    Thanks Gary. You’ve helped me understand where I’ve been making errors in getting seeds up and growing.



  34. @lisadeluca5714 on July 19, 2024 at 1:41 pm

    Thank you Gary. I’m a Master Gardener and I still have a lot of questions! Love this



  35. @evelynacostajerez765 on July 19, 2024 at 1:44 pm

    Thanks for the information. Is the must accurate I have ever heard ❤



  36. @brittanimscott on July 19, 2024 at 1:44 pm

    I had an issue with white mold ON THE STEMS of my tomato seedlings and had a total panic attack. Used your spray and it seems to have helped. Im gonna do the soil drench as soon as it dries…you think the seedlings will be ok?



  37. @CC-pe6hf on July 19, 2024 at 1:45 pm

    Gary how do you dry out your peat moss for 6-12 months? Step by step please. Thanks in advance



  38. @Earthy-Artist on July 19, 2024 at 1:47 pm

    Thank you! I’m going to make some spray tomorrow I have a few seed starts with green mold on top of the soil. I wish I knew about this spray for indoor plants a few years ago. I might have been able to save my large collection of houseplants which became infested with gnats, nothing I tried eliminated them so I had to throw them out, some of those plants I had for 17 years.



  39. @bonniecollins7128 on July 19, 2024 at 1:48 pm

    You are awesome! Thanks for all the great tips this was so timely for seed starting.



  40. @user-nz8nl6px4x on July 19, 2024 at 1:48 pm

    I have 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide what mix should I use please



  41. @justsayin5609 on July 19, 2024 at 1:48 pm

    Hi Gary. Been following you for a few years now. Question: Had a 1/2 5gal bucket of seed start mix sterilized with boiling water left over last year. Had lid on it & kept in basement. Still moist, no visible issues. Is it ok to use? Just getting going this w/end. Thanks.



  42. @murdocksmadnesspatriotgard5472 on July 19, 2024 at 1:49 pm

    Does the hydrogen peroxide kill the beneficial michorhiza in the soil?



  43. @durhamburgess9284 on July 19, 2024 at 1:49 pm

    This is gold!



  44. @titanart6225 on July 19, 2024 at 1:53 pm

    Gary for the first seeding H202 soil dredge do you let it fully absorb into the soil and dump excess or just let it sit until evaporated? I planted my peppers last night and used the mix at the same time, I hope I didn’t do something wrong by using the dredge at seeding time. The liquid was about a half inch in in the tray with the cells, I’m using medium cells i purchased from your shop, and this morning the liquid was fully evaporated and the soil is moist. Also, I’m hoping I won’t have to pot up but Im planting lots of peppers so the large cells wouldn’t work for me because of space restrictions.



  45. @shares961 on July 19, 2024 at 1:55 pm

    We need professors like you in school, so well explained 😊😊😊😊😊😊



  46. @dorothyv2863 on July 19, 2024 at 1:56 pm

    So, you put the starter mix in the bucket & add boiling water. How much boiling water, and then do you drain it, or let it all absorb?



  47. @Copen.Whiskey on July 19, 2024 at 1:57 pm

    What if I have true leaves that are turning brown?



  48. @nathanielsaville3361 on July 19, 2024 at 2:01 pm

    Gary, slightly off topic question. I will be expanding my container garden this year, mostly using grow bags, but some earth boxes. As far as medium, I’ve tended to just throw in Miracle Grow Potting mix. Everybody and their cousin seems to have a version of their own potting mix recipe and one of the main benefits that is mention is price. What I never see is though is mentioning that the diy potting mix does not by default come with the fertilizer that is included with Miracle Grow. The slow release fertilizer that it includes is supposed to last up to 6 months. Once you start adding the fertilizer/admendments needed to the DIY potting mixes, are you actually saving that much money? With DIY I know it gives you more control over what and how much is in the soil for the plants, but even if you have to tweak the Miracle Grow (or other pre fertilized mix) you are starting from an already establish base level of npk for 6 months that you would otherwise have to provide from other sources for the DIY mix. What are your thoughts on this? I know there are other benefits, but I’m curious as to this part of the equasion and completely avoiding the organic vs chemical debate right now.



  49. @iluvshawna18 on July 19, 2024 at 2:02 pm

    This is my second year gardening. I’ve learned so much but still have a ways to go. I will be trying this method to get rid of the fungus gnats that have taken over my seedlings. I’ve tried Neem oil too but hydrogen peroxide seems much safer for my seedlings. Thank you so much for this video!



  50. @KAREN_FALLS on July 19, 2024 at 2:02 pm

    Could you just put the starting mix in microwave for 5 min to kill any fungus Nat larva?