How to properly treat grapes with copper sulfate in the spring and why it is needed

Treatment of grapes with copper sulfate in the spring is carried out to protect the plant from fungal infections and insects, maintain protective forces and feed. This is a traditional remedy that is easy to prepare - just follow the proportions and safety precautions. The granular powder dissolves quickly in water and is combined with slaked lime and urea. How and why copper sulfate is used in gardening will be discussed in the article.

Why treat grapes with copper sulfate in spring?

Copper sulfate is copper sulfate (a salt of sulfuric acid), a contact agent that is used for combating rot, scab, spotting, saturating plants with copper.

The substance is used for feeding grapes grown on poor soils (sandstones, peat bogs). Copper supports photosynthesis and increases the grapes' defenses. Damage to the vine by fungi occurs precisely because of nutritional deficiency. A lack of nutrients is indicated by the slow development of young shoots and white tips of the foliage.

Reference. Grape seedlings are soaked in a 1-3% solution of copper sulfate before boarding for the prevention of fungal infections.

Advantages and disadvantages of processing

The use of copper sulfate has positive aspects:

• the substance is available at any gardening store;
• low cost;
• wide spectrum of action;
• effective destruction of fungi;
• treatment and prevention of many grape diseases.

Flaws:

• high toxicity;
• the substance accumulates in the soil, green mass and fruits;
• if used uncontrolled, it causes burns to leaves and roots.

Comparison with iron sulfate

Copper and iron sulfate differ in composition and properties. Comparative characteristics are presented in the table.

Iron sulfate is less toxic to the environment and cheaper than copper sulfate. A solution of iron sulfate is used as a fungicide, although copper sulfate is considered more effective. After spring spraying, the buds wake up for several days. This treatment is carried out to minimize the harmful effects of return frosts in early spring.

Processing times

Spring treatment of the vines is carried out immediately after the snow melts. This must be done to destroy fungal and putrefactive infections, as well as insect pests.

Specific dates depend on climatic conditions in the regions. Often the first spraying is carried out at the end of March.During this period, insects become active, but their concentration in the soil and on the vine is too low, so they cannot yet cause serious harm. The treatment is carried out at an air temperature of +3...+5°C in dry, windless weather in the morning or evening. Before spraying, the covering material (needles, dry leaves, spruce branches, brushwood) is removed from the vine and burned. Shelter from boards, slate, plywood are treated with the same solution of copper sulfate.

Treatment of green foliage before and after flowering is carried out carefully, strictly observing the dosage. Before the procedure, the bushes are thinned out - excess young shoots are removed.

Reference. Grapes are processed more often in the south than in the north. This is due to weather conditions favorable for the development of fungal and putrefactive infections. In the northern regions, one spring treatment is often sufficient; in the southern regions, the vine is sprayed 3-4 times.

How to prepare the solution correctly

Copper sulfate is an easily soluble powder that melts best in warm water.. Even a beginner can handle preparing the solution. To spray the vineyard, it is recommended to prepare a large volume at once.

Metal containers should not be used to prepare a solution of pure copper sulfate., especially galvanized and iron. This will lead to damage to the container and the solution itself. The walls of the vessel will be covered with a coating of metallic copper. Therefore, gardeners use plastic buckets and glass jars.

Procedure for preparing a 1% solution:

1. Measure out 10 liters of distilled water and heat slightly.
2. Pour 100 g of granules into the water in a slow stream.
3. Stir the liquid until the granules are completely dissolved.
4. If there is sediment left at the bottom, strain the solution through cheesecloth.
5. Pour the prepared liquid into a container with a spray bottle.

The finished solution of copper sulfate has a light blue tint.. The consumption of working fluid per bush is 1.5-2 liters.

Interesting things on the site:

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How to treat grapes with the resulting solution

The procedure for spraying a vineyard is standard and does not depend on the processing period:

1. First of all, spray the top of the bush.
2. Then they move to the middle tier.
3. Next, the sleeves and barrel are processed.
4. At the end, the support is processed.
5. The sprayer mouthpiece is kept at a distance of 10-20 cm from the bush, the stream is directed from top to bottom.

Precautionary measures

When working with copper sulfate, it is recommended to follow safety precautions:

1. Use protective gloves, glasses, clothing and a respirator.
2. Do not mix granules with substances other than lime, urea and soap.
3. Carry out the work early in the morning or in the evening after sunset so that the drops last longer on the branches.
4. Perform the procedure in dry, windless weather.
5. Along with the bushes, irrigate the support to which the vine is tied, since pathogens of fungal diseases also multiply on it.
6. It is recommended to shake the mixture during operation. Small particles settle to the bottom, and first water hits the bush, and then a concentrated solution, which causes burns to the plant tissue.
7. Distribute the solution evenly and do not allow excessive watering of the soil under the bush. To protect the soil, it is recommended to lay thick polyethylene.
8. Experienced gardeners advise using fine pump or electric sprayers.
9. Pour the remainder of the solution into a deep hole outside the vineyard - in a place where planting garden crops is not planned.

The use of copper sulfate with other drugs

Copper sulfate can be combined with urea for spring processing of grapes. Urea, or carbamide, is a concentrated nitrogen fertilizer (46% nitrogen), completely safe for plants. Granules of the substance quickly dissolve in water and do not cake during long-term storage. In summer, a 0.5-1% solution is used for foliar feeding of bushes. In spring, a more saturated, 5-7% solution is used.

Cooking procedure:

1. Take 700 g of urea per 8 liters of water and mix until the granules dissolve.
2. 100 g of copper sulfate is dissolved in 0.5 liters of water.
3. The vitriol solution is poured in a thin stream into the urea solution and the volume is adjusted to 10 liters.

Another popular liquid among gardeners is Bordeaux mixture.. The working solution is prepared for one time and is not stored. There is a ready-made mixture on sale with a litmus strip to determine acidity. However, you can prepare the liquid yourself.

To prepare a 1% solution you need to take three plastic containers. Dissolve 100 g of copper sulfate in the first, 200 g of slaked lime in the second, and mix both solutions in the third. A nail is suitable for determining acidity. It is dipped into the prepared solution for 5-7 minutes. If a copper coating appears on the surface, then you need to add a little lime. The absence of plaque indicates a correctly prepared solution.

To prepare a 3% solution, use the same plastic container:

1. In one container, dissolve 300 g of copper sulfate in 5 liters of water.
2. In another container, mix 400 g of lime and 5 liters of water.
3. In the third container, both solutions are mixed, which should acquire a cloudy blue tint.

Copper sulfate is not recommended to be combined with insecticides and alkaline agents.. If necessary, maintain an interval of two weeks between treatments.

Conclusion

Copper sulfate does not lose popularity among gardeners despite the emergence of new means to combat insects and fungal diseases. The finished solution has antiseptic properties, saturates plants with copper, and supports their immunity. In early spring, use a concentrated solution of pure copper sulfate, constantly shaking the mixture during the spraying process. The granules can be mixed with urea and slaked lime.