skip to main content

Ponds & Aquatic Plants

potassium permangenate uses?

11 years ago

Does anyone use potassium permangenate to dip your plants in for undesireables such as snail eggs and the like? If you do, how much powder to how much water, how long to leave plants in solution?

TIA, amedws :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
11 years ago
I can only find tiny bottles of dilute potassium permanganate hence, a follow up question, if you use potassium permanganate, where do you get it?
nmpondguy
11 years ago
I would have thought someone with a chemical background would have answered by now...

I'm no expert, but I have used PP many many times to disinfect plants before putting them into my pond. First off, I got my 6 ounce bottle of PP from Sears a few years ago. It will be in the department that sells water filters. They sell it for regenerating iron removal filters.

Obligatory safety message: Be careful not to breathe PP Dust. Be careful not to splash PP crystals of mixture in eyes or on skin. Also PP will stain porous things purple.

Now, for plant disinfection, I put 1/4 teaspoon full of PP in 5 gallon Home Depot bucket. Then fill the bucket with water using the shower setting on the garden hose to agitate/mix the solution (CAREFULLY). Then I put the new plant(s) in another 5 gallon bucket and pour in enough of the PP solution to cover the plants. Usually have to push and hold the plants down somehow to keep them submerged. I keep them submerged for 6 hours, then rinse with water and put them into the pond.

It has worked for me - Don't remember who gave me the mixture info now, but I've done many times - Your mileage may vary.

Related Stories

SAVING WATER 11 Ways to Save Water at Home

By Carol Crotta

Whether you live in a drought-stricken area or just want to help preserve a precious resource, here are things you can do to use less water

GARDENING GUIDES Learn the Secret to Bigger and Better Roses

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Grow beautiful roses using both ordinary and unusual soil amendments

GARDENING GUIDES The Poop Scoop: Enrich Your Soil With Good Old Manure

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Get over the ick factor already — this natural super-ingredient for soil has so many benefits, you'll wonder why you ever went chemical

GARDENING GUIDES Lush, Foodie Abundance in a Small Urban Garden

This modest backyard garden provides its owner with fruit and vegetables all year round, thanks to an innovative low-maintenance approach

ARCHITECTURE Design Workshop: 9 Ways to Open a House to the Outdoors

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Explore some of the best ideas in indoor-outdoor living — and how to make the transitions work for both home and landscape

GARDENING GUIDES Tackle Weeds the Natural Way

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Instead of dousing your yard with chemicals to wipe out weeds, let time and nature work their magic via smothering and solarization

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

REMODELING GUIDES Cool Your House (and Costs) With the Right Insulation

By Buckminster Green LLC

Insulation offers one of the best paybacks on your investment in your house. Here are some types to discuss with your contractor

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Natural Swimming Pools: More Beauty, No Chemicals

By Falon Mihalic

Keep your skin and the environment healthy with a pool that cleans itself, naturally

URBAN GARDENS Containers Make Growing Edibles a Cinch

If life hands you a lack of land, grow lemons — with a few basics, you can proudly reap the fruits, veggies and herbs of your labor

Sponsored

More Discussions

Leak in my small inground prefab watergarden...?

1

pothos with yellow leaves

7

Stock tank cracked, New tank has brass drain

1

Growing impatiens in water

1