Disinfecting Plants with Alum

[Darkblade48]

I was recently thinking of getting some new plants, but there is the possibility that they are snail infested.

If I were to go about disinfecting the plants, I read that it was possible to use potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as a disinfecting agent. However, since most of the pool stores are closed in Canada for the winter, I'm afraid that is not an option.

Another option was Alum. I went to my local pharmacy, but the alum that they carried is labelled Ammonium Alum USP.

I was wondering if this is the correct stuff to use to disinfect plants, as the ammonium worries me

 

[kveeti]

“Clear Water” from Jungle Products contains potassium permanganate.

I have used alum. I buy right in the grocery store, the spices section. It is most commonly used in canning. The ingredient is listed as “aluminum potassium sulphate”.

 

[djlen]

Yes, you can use that product. Alum is more for killing snails than anything else.
1 tsp./gal. will kill snails in 2 hrs. Overnight will kill snails and their eggs.
It will not harm plants of any type, IME. Be sure and rinse well before introducing the plants into the tank.

Len

 

[Darkblade48]

“Clear Water” from Jungle Products contains potassium permanganate.

I have used alum. I buy right in the grocery store, the spices section. It is most commonly used in canning. The ingredient is listed as “aluminum potassium sulphate”.

Yup, I know this info already, but thanks for reiterating.

However, I want to know how safe it is to disinfect plants with Ammonium Alum USP (that is what I can get at Shopper's Drug Mart )

 

[plantbrain]

Alum is available at most garden supply centers, about 3-4$ for 10lbs.
Likely a lifetime supply.

Regards,
Tom Barr



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[carpguy]

Yup, I know this info already, but thanks for reiterating.

Maybe its unintentional, but thats not right. Your question, someone just trying to help.

However, I want to know how safe it is to disinfect plants with Ammonium Alum USP (that is what I can get at Shopper's Drug Mart )

Second hit on google:

alum (al·um) (al¢[schwa]m) [L. alumen]**1.*an odorless, colorless, crystalline substance, with local astringent and styptic properties and sweetish taste, prepared from bauxite (hydrated aluminum oxide) and sulfuric acid, with the addition of ammonium (ammonium a.) or potassium (potassium a.). It is also used as an adjuvant in adsorbed vaccines and toxoids.**2.*a generic term for any member of a class of double sulfates formed on the type of the foregoing compounds.**3.*any member of a class of double aluminum-containing compounds.

ammonium alum, [USP]**alum prepared with the addition of ammonium; used topically as an astringent.

 

[Carpmouth]

So you are the guy who took the name I wanted. Are you a carp fisherman?

Maybe its unintentional, but thats not right. Your question, someone just trying to help.



Second hit on google:

 

[carpguy]

So you are the guy who took the name I wanted.

Sorry about that.

I like south east asian fish. Labyrinths plus cyprinids (the carp family). Barbs, rasboras, loaches, sharkminnows (like the SAE). Seemed to me back when I first was getting into this that everyone was into South America and Tetras and Cichlids and all that bit. Catfish.

Someone needed to be pro-Carp.

 

[tuvok]

“Clear Water” from Jungle Products contains potassium permanganate.

I have used alum. I buy right in the grocery store, the spices section. It is most commonly used in canning. The ingredient is listed as “aluminum potassium sulphate”.

Does anyone know the correct dosage or concentration of Clear Water to use for disinfecting plants?