Treatment of currants in spring against diseases and pests

Treatment of currants in the spring against diseases and pests is a mandatory agrotechnical measure aimed at protecting the bush.
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Currant is perhaps the most popular berry bush in Russian gardens. High productivity, coupled with ease of care, make currant bushes welcome guests in all summer cottages.

But, at the same time, currants very often get sick and are affected by pests. Therefore, it needs to be processed regularly. In this article we will talk about the most effective ways to spray currant bushes in spring.

Why is it important to process currants in spring?

In winter, all parts of currant bushes (branches, buds and roots, and even unfallen leaves) become a refuge for insect pests. Spores of pathogenic fungi also overwinter in the bark and fallen leaves.

So, most often, berry bushes suffer from copperheads, aphids, leaf rollers, bud and other types of mites, scale insects, moths, sawflies, moths, borers, glass beetles, anthracnose, powdery rose, white spot, various types of rust, terry, etc.

Accordingly, in the spring, not only currants wake up, but also parasites, which immediately begin to feed on parts of the plant and reproduce.

Therefore, from the very beginning of the annual growing season, it is very important to prevent this process and strike a preventive blow against parasites.

The main stages of work on caring for currants in spring

Spring work on caring for currant bushes is extremely important; in its importance they are not inferior to autumn events. The further development of the shrub and the abundance of its fruiting depend on the quality of their implementation. There is no need to wait until the snow completely melts and the ground dries out. Caring for currants begins in the very early spring, as soon as a stable temperature is established within +5...+7 C° and the threat of severe return frosts has passed. Some procedures must be carried out before active sap flow begins. The buds of this crop open very quickly and it is extremely important to catch it before the young green foliage appears.

Currant processing begins even before the snow cover has completely melted.

The list of main spring work includes:

regular watering;
sanitary and formative pruning;
pest control;
feeding;
mulching.

All activities must be carried out in a timely manner, otherwise the effect of their implementation will be minimal and will not bring any benefit.

How to choose the right time for spring currant processing

Treatment of currants in the spring against diseases and pests is carried out in several stages.

The first is before the bush awakens. During this period of time, scalding with boiling water is carried out, as well as treatment with “heavy” fungicidal and insecticidal agents against diseases and insects hidden for the winter.

The second is the “green cone”. This is the period when leaves are just emerging from the buds. Caterpillars, moths, and various mites are destroyed. At this same stage, prevention of re-infection with various diseases is carried out.

The third is the “rose bud”. This stage occurs just before flowering. During this period, treatment is carried out with Bordeaux mixture and other copper-based fungicides.

The fourth is after flowering (in some regions this stage is already included in summer processing). At this stage, treatment is carried out when currants are infected with new parasites and diseases.

The time for spraying is selected depending on the purposes of the treatment.

How to prune currants in spring for a good harvest: pruning patterns

Currants are pruned 2 times a year. Autumn pruning is of primary importance, but spring pruning should not be underestimated either. It allows you to properly distribute nutrition between the branches and improve productivity. The procedure is carried out in early spring, before the buds swell. It is important not to miss this moment, since at this time the sap flow has not yet begun and the bushes tolerate pruning as easily as possible.

Before pruning, you need to carefully inspect the bush:

first-years are thin, green, without branches;
two-year-olds are similar to first-year-olds, but the color of the bark is brown;
shoots 3-4 years old - the bark color is brown, there are branches;
shoots older than 5 years - the branches are thick, the bark begins to crack, there may be lichen on the branches.

During spring pruning, you need to remove all old shoots, as well as damaged branches and dry shoots. The bushes need to be thinned out, leaving 5 young branches on each and 5 branches at the age of 3-4 years. It is imperative to shorten young shoots so that they branch better.

The bush should not be thickened. All branches growing crookedly inside the crown must be removed.

Currant pruning schemes differ depending on the age of the bush. In the first year, only the tops are trimmed. In the second year, several tops are cut off (by 1/3 of the branch) and shoots that thicken the crown are removed. In the third year, several shoots are already cut out and 3-4 tops are cut off.

Pruning red and white currants

It should be carried out according to a different scheme. The tops of the shoots of these varieties are not pruned in the first and second years. Pruning is carried out from the third year. Every year, old, dried branches are removed, leaving 10-15 healthy shoots on each bush. Shoots of white and red currants are cut out at the age of 7-8 years.

If red, black or white currants have stopped bearing fruit, the berries have become smaller, it’s time to do anti-aging pruning. To do this, remove all branches older than 3-4 years, leaving only 4-6 young shoots. This procedure will prolong fruiting.

Features of spring pruning of black currants

When cutting older branches, you can use the ring method. This complete removal of side branches in order to stimulate their renewal is important for black currants. It is better to carry out such pruning in the fall, but it is also allowed in the spring if such measures were not carried out before winter. The cut should be strictly perpendicular to the direction of growth of the shoot and located along the stem branch, without touching it, but also eliminating the formation of a stump from the removed shoot.

What processing methods are there?

Treatment of currants in the spring against diseases and pests can be carried out using folk remedies (various infusions and solutions), as well as industrial insecticides and fungicides.

It is also very important to decide which parts of the plant to spray: buds, branches, roots. To destroy fungal spores, soil treatment is even used.

For preventive purposes, comprehensive measures are used, that is, each bush is thoroughly treated, and the soil is also spilled with a solution of fungicide or potassium permanganate.

Depending on the product used, the shrub can be sprayed, dusted, or coated. This also includes preventive pruning.

The most popular method of treating a plant remains spraying, since most of the preparations are a liquid solution.

How to spray currants in the spring before the buds open?

a man sprays black currant bushes in early spring.
The purpose of early spring spraying of currant bushes is to eliminate pathogens and larvae of plant pests. Since black currants are attractive to many of their species, processing of its shoots before the buds swell is mandatory.

Both folk remedies and time-tested products from the chemical industry will suit you:

onion and garlic
tar soap
ash, mustard powder
tobacco, dandelion
copper and iron sulfate
boiling water
chlorophos
colloidal sulfur
furanone
foundationazole
fitoverm

Spraying with chemicals

Chemical agents: fungicides and insecticides show the greatest effectiveness in the fight against diseases and parasites. Let's take a closer look at them.

How to apply fungicides

Fungicides help in the fight against diseases: fungal, bacterial and viral.

There are a great variety of fungicides: Topaz, Fitosporin, Hom, Skor, Abiga-Pik, Raek, Oksihom, Forecast, Tilt, etc.

Fitosporin is the most effective. Its advantage is that, despite its gentle effect on the bush, it allows you to get rid of most diseases.

Fitosporin also has a beneficial effect on the plant itself. It can be used even during fruit formation. The standards for preparing the solution and the flow rate of the working fluid are indicated on the packaging.

If the disease is advanced, then harsher and more effective drugs must be used. But they must be used strictly before or after flowering and cannot be used if fruits have begun to set on the bushes.

Treatment of currants with insecticides

Treatment of currants in the spring against diseases and pests with insecticides is carried out in order to destroy egg clutches and larvae of insect pests.

There are enteric-contact (the most popular insecticides in this category: Actellik, Kinmiks, Fufanon, Profilaktin, etc.) and systemic (most often in this category, summer residents buy Konfidor, Tanrek, Aktara, Biotlin) insecticides.

Insecticides should not be used during the appearance of flowers and the first ovaries, so as not to kill the bees. For greater effectiveness, it is better to alternate enteric-contact and systemic insecticides. But it is also impossible to carry out treatment too often, since there is a danger of “burning” the bushes.

How to use tank mixes

Tank mixes refer to several mixed pesticides. The advantages of this method are obvious. There is a simultaneous attack on several pests or diseases at once.

IMPORTANT! Before preparing a full tank mix, you need to make a small dough solution. Doses should be smaller. The fact is that some substances can react.

The following combinations are allowed:

Lepidocide+Guapsin;
Guapsin+Actofit;
Actofit+Bitoxibacillin;
Aktara+Speed

IMPORTANT! First, before mixing fungicides or insecticides, study all the information provided on the package of pesticides. The fact is that some pesticides cannot be mixed.

Treatment with tank mixtures should be carried out in dry, windless weather. It is not recommended to use more than 3 active ingredients. The treatment should be carried out using the smallest sprayer so that the solution does not flow onto the ground.

Red spots on currant leaves in spring: how to fight?

red spots on black currant leaves
Red spots on black currant leaves are symptoms of a fungal infection or a gall aphid infestation.

The differences are as follows:

when affected by the fungus, you see red islands on the leaves. They spread right up to the axil of the leaf stalk, accelerating its death and fall,
aphids provoke the formation of pimply red areas on the surface of the leaves.

Don't let the disease spread. As soon as you notice red spots on the leaves of blackcurrant, then:

tear off all affected specimens, including cutting off diseased branches as much as possible, and burn them,
spray the bushes affected by the fungus with an aqueous solution of Bordeaux mixture at the rate of 100 grams per bucket of water. The batch is enough for you to treat 3 bushes. Repeat the procedure after flowering and harvesting the blackcurrant berries. The second control option is to dilute 300 g of nitrophen in a bucket of water and treat the bushes until they bloom,
To treat currant bushes against gall aphids, use karbofos, actellik, home, chlorophos, foundationol. Prepare an aqueous solution of a specific preparation according to the instructions and spray on both sides of the leaf once every week and a half before the black currant begins to bloom. Then treat with fitoverm.

If you are against chemicals:

prepare a thick solution of laundry soap for spraying and ash for sprinkling, a water infusion of shag/tobacco, onion peels,
plant tomatoes between bushes and rows of blackcurrants.

How to properly process

When spraying (or any other method), you need to follow a number of rules:

Follow safety precautions. Use personal protective equipment;
Dilute the solution according to the instructions;
Use a fungicide or insecticide only within the permitted time limits for work;
Do not use expired chemicals or solutions prepared several days ago;
Spray in dry and windless weather. It's better when it's cloudy outside, but there's no rain. If the weather is hot, work early in the morning or late in the evening;
Use warm, settled water;
Do not use insecticides during flowering;
Alternate products for greater effect.

Fighting shoot aphids

This pest does not like the smoke from burning rubber. It will take 3 hours to maintain the smoldering of rubber objects in metal containers standing next to the bushes.

The solutions listed above will also help. It is useful to infuse pine or spruce needles. For 2 liters of boiling water, 1 cup of pine needles is enough. The product is ready in 5 days, which is diluted with two buckets of clean water.

Green potato tops (1 kg) are filled with water and left for 4 hours. After squeezing out the tops, strain the infusion.

How to treat with folk remedies

Some summer residents fundamentally do not accept treatment with chemicals, preferring folk recipes. The advantages of such products are obvious: the absence of harmful substances and the relative cheapness of the components. The main disadvantage is one, but quite significant - the low efficiency of treatments with folk remedies.

Boiling water treatment

In early spring, you can water the currant bushes with very hot water (almost boiling water). This is a fairly effective method that will destroy pests overwintering in currant buds. For details on how to scald, read our article “When and how to pour boiling water over currants, processing in spring.”

Garlic infusion for currants

Garlic tincture does not destroy pests, but only repels them. It's all about the pungent smell, as well as the phytoncides contained in garlic.

Crush about 0.5 kg of garlic and add very hot water. Mix the solution thoroughly and strain. Treat with cooled water.

Infusion of celandine

Celandine contains a number of acids that are poisonous to small insects.

It is very simple to prepare the solution. You need to chop several bushes and fill them with warm water. Leave for half an hour, after which the solution is decanted and processed.

IMPORTANT! Treatment with celandine should be carried out with gloves.

Treatment with ammonia

Ammonia is a fairly effective remedy if you need to scare away pests from the bush. Also, ammonia acts as a nitrogen supplement.

The proportions for preparing the solution are 25 ml of ammonia per 5 liters of water. If an anthill is noticed next to the currants, then it must be destroyed, since the ants breed aphids. You need to use ammonia concentrate: 500 ml per 5 liters of water.

Please note the rules for working with ammonia solution:

The solution must be produced immediately, since the ammonia evaporates;
Sanitation should be carried out early in the morning or late in the evening;
Use a nozzle with large holes as ammonia is a very volatile compound. If you spray too much, the effect will be reduced.

How to properly plant and transplant blackcurrant seedlings into the ground in spring: step-by-step instructions

a gardener plants black currants in a ditch.
In cases where it is impossible to plant black currants in the fall, do it in the spring:

select a healthy seedling with 3-5 formed strong roots at least 20 cm long and a similar number of branches up to 30 cm long. Carefully inspect the plant for the absence of painful plaque and damage,
choose a place before planting blackcurrants. It needs sunlight, moderate shade and air movement. There should be no acidity or swampiness in the soil,
reduce the acidity of the soil with chalk, dolomite, old cement/plaster, ground eggshells. Just pour the material into the hole,
Reduce the tendency of the site to accumulate water excessively by forming an elevation of 15-20 cm for growing black currants. Strengthen the embankment around the perimeter with turf,
a week before planting, dig holes or a solid trench using a shovel, remove weed roots, pour/pour fertilizer to 75% depth. Compost, humus, and aged cow manure are suitable. Immediately before planting, add a solution of superphosphate in the amount of 2 tbsp. l. under every root,
lower the seedling into the hole at an angle of 45-60°, straighten the roots. Make sure that 3 buds of the stem remain underground and the same number above it,
pour half a bucket of water into the hole of each future bush,
cover with soil and stamp with your toe/palm around the trunk,
pour out the remaining half a bucket of water again,
mulch the area around the trunk,
trim the branches another 50-30% or leave only 3 well-formed buds. This will make both the root system and young shoots stronger,
Place the cut branches in moist soil. They will take root and become material for replanting/forming new blackcurrant bushes,
the next day, loosen the soil around the young seedling,
Water and mulch the planted plants regularly.

How to treat ticks in spring

The mite is the main enemy of currants. The insect not only causes significant damage to the crop through its actions, but is also a carrier of many different diseases.

Therefore, getting rid of ticks in the spring is very important.

The simplest and, at the same time, effective method of combating ticks is scalding the bush with boiling water. But the problem is that you need to water the plants with very hot water before the currants awaken. If spring happened early, or you have an emergency at work and you cannot go to the dacha, then it is very easy to miss the time for such processing.

In this case, you can use chemicals. Most often, colloidal sulfur, Iskra, Thiovit Jet, Fufanon, Apollo and Karbofos are used to combat mites.

If you are not a supporter of chemistry, then you can use recipes for folk remedies. An infusion of garlic, a decoction of tobacco and onion peel, and urea help with mites with varying degrees of effectiveness.

When is it better to plant and replant blackcurrants - in spring or autumn?

dug up blackcurrant seedlings before planting
Blackcurrants can be planted and replanted in early spring and autumn. Please note that she wakes up early with the first rays of sunlight and begins the growing season.

The most favorable time for transplantation is September to mid-October. This way the plant will have time to take root before frost arrives and actively begin to grow from the first days of warmth in the spring.

Treatment of currants with copper sulfate

Copper sulfate is one of the most effective remedies against pathogenic fungal microorganisms, but this drug can also fight pests. An additional advantage of using copper sulfate is that the drug contains compounds that are beneficial to the plant.

You need to spray the vitriol solution through the finest sieve.

IMPORTANT! In the spring, spraying with this product should be carried out before the bush awakens or in late autumn, when the currants hibernate.

Decoction of tomato tops from pests

All parts of the plant are suitable for preparing a decoction: stems, shoots, leaves, dried or raw. Take 3 kg of fresh chopped tops, pour in 10 liters of water, let it brew for 3-4 hours, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. After this time, cool the broth and strain. Before use, dilute with water in a ratio of 1:4.

You will need less dry tops: 1 kg per 10 liters of water. Leave for 4-5 hours, then boil over low heat for 2 hours. Then cool and strain. Dilute the broth with water in a ratio of 1:3.

It is better to use a decoction of the tops immediately, but if necessary, you can store it for up to six months in tightly sealed glass bottles in a cool place.

For better adhesion, 30 g of laundry or green soap should be added to the broth before spraying (per 10 liters of solution).

In what cases should currants not be processed?

In the spring, it is strictly prohibited to treat currant bushes with insecticidal preparations and most fungicides during the period of flowering and the formation of the first ovaries.

Firstly, the strong aroma from the active ingredients can repel bees. Secondly, most insecticides also kill beneficial insects.

Also, do not spray plants during fruiting. In this case, there is a high probability of deposition of chemical compounds in the fruit. A person can get poisoned.

The exception is the use of gentle folk remedies.

ON A NOTE. Treatment with boiling water should not be carried out when the buds are swollen, as there is a high probability of harming the shrub.

Preparations for treatment

The plant can be treated with both chemical and biological preparations. The use of folk remedies gives a good effect.

When carrying out treatment, keep in mind that pests give preference to different types of currants. Black currants are most often attacked by borers, moths, and mites. And on the red and white - aphids and sawfly.

Before you start processing currant bushes, find out the weather forecast for the near future. If it starts to rain after spraying, all the preparations will be washed away and there will be no result. And also try to carry out processing in calm weather. I once started processing in a strong wind (there was no other opportunity) and treated myself instead of bushes.

Chemicals

Chemicals are very effective in controlling pests and diseases. At the same time, they are toxic and can cause harm to humans and the environment. Therefore, when using chemicals, strictly follow the instructions and apply at the appropriate time.

1% solution of Bordeaux mixture or 1% solution of copper sulfate - used for anthracnose, septoria, rust and other spots. Spraying is carried out as soon as the first leaves appear on the bushes. You can buy Bordeaux mixture ready-made or make it yourself. To prepare, dilute 100 g of copper sulfate and 100 g of lime in 10 liters of water.
Iskra, Inta-CM, Karbotsin - against aphids, gall midges, leaf rollers, sawflies and moths. Used when flower buds begin to form. The greatest treatment efficiency is achieved when spraying in cool weather, below 15o.
Karbofos, Actellik - against aphids, gall midges, leaf rollers, sawflies and moths. It is also used at the beginning of the formation of flower buds, but it is most effective to carry out the treatment at an air temperature of at least 15°.
Akarin, Iskra-bio, Aktara - against currant bud mite, aphids, thrips, scale insects. Apply when leaves bloom and inflorescences appear. The greatest processing efficiency is achieved at a temperature of 24–25°. Repeated spraying can be done after flowering and after harvesting.
Vectra, Strobi, Topaz, Thiovit Jet, colloidal sulfur - against powdery mildew, anthracnose and septoria. Treatment is carried out immediately after flowering. Effective at temperatures of 19° and above. Repeatedly after harvesting.

Diseases and pests, and their control, table

In the table below we provide data on the main pests and diseases of currants, their manifestations, as well as methods of combating them in the spring.

Table. Diseases and pests of currants and methods of combating them

Disease/pest	Signs and symptoms	Methods of prevention and control
Anthracnose	Brown spots. Falling leaves	Removing infected leaves. Treatment with 3% Bordeaux and Hom
Rust	Reddish pads on the reverse side of the leaf	Removing infected leaves. Treatment with Topaz. Sanitary pruning
Ascochyta blight	Grayish spots with black speckles	Spraying with Acrobat or Ridomil
Powdery mildew	White mold on fruits and leaves	Spraying with Topaz and Fundazol
Terry	Small terry leaves. Lack of fruits	Burning infected bushes. Preventive treatment with Fufanon or Actellik.
Mosaic	Yellowish mosaic spots	Burning infected bushes. Preventive treatment with Fufanon.
White spot	Fine white specks with a black-brown border	Spraying with Hom, Abiga-Peak
Kidney mite	Enlarged kidneys	Scalding with boiling water. Spraying with Karbofos
Gall aphid	Reddish swellings on the leaves	Pruning infected branches. Spraying with Fitoverm
Ognevka	Cobwebs on berries	Destruction of diseased branches. Treatment with Lepidocide
Spider mite	Yellowish spots on leaves. Cobweb on the reverse side of a leaf plate	Treatment with Fitoverm
Shchitovka	Living “growths” on the bark of shoots	Treatment with Nitrofen

Fighting bud mites and aphids on black currants in spring

affected black currant branches by the bud mite
The bud mite infects the branches and buds of black currants and is the causative agent of the disease of black currant disease.

To protect yourself and significantly reduce the likelihood of being injured by a legal tick, follow these steps:

carefully examine the currant bushes and their buds. Break off all affected parts with your hands/knife and burn,
in early spring, spray the plants with chemicals or garlic infusion,
choose blackcurrant varieties that are resistant to these parasites, for example, Mila, Belorusskaya sweet, Premiera, Moskovskaya,
plant calendula between the bushes and rows, place pots of geraniums in the summer, lay out wormwood.

In order to eliminate different types of aphids, you should:

manually remove all affected leaves/clusters and burn them,
spray with either prepared preparations or tobacco infusion. In the second case of dry raw materials, take 0.5 kg per bucket of water and leave for 2 days,
plant flowers and plants between rows and bushes that repel aphids, for example, marigolds, nasturtiums, onions, garlic, fennel.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Do I need to process currants in the spring if they didn’t hurt me?

Preventive spraying with gentle fungicides and insecticides will definitely not harm even healthy bushes.

When to process currants in spring?

Treatments in spring are carried out in several stages. You need to start from the very early spring. If your bushes are not neglected, then 1-2 treatments will be enough.

What is better, store-bought or folk remedies?

More effective, of course, are chemicals. If you use them wisely, there will be no harm to the plants.

What drugs are the most effective?

It all depends on the severity of the disease and the type of pest or disease. But in general, Fitosporin (among fungicides) and Aktara (among insecticides) show the greatest effectiveness.

Can I use medications left over from last year?

Yes, as long as they have not passed their expiration date and have not been exposed to low temperatures.

What are the available means to process currants for a quick effect?

Perhaps ammonia solution is the best choice. The drug will not only significantly reduce the population of parasites, but will also saturate the currant leaves with nitrogen.

Soil care and watering

If the bush was covered for the winter, then the cover must be removed. Bent branches need to be straightened and given the opportunity to straighten on their own. The area should then be thoroughly cleaned. Around the bushes and directly in the tree trunk circle, old dry leaves, various debris and mulch left over from last season are raked using a rake. Everything collected is burned. Under no circumstances should fallen leaves be collected for compost, because pest larvae and spores of pathogenic bacteria overwinter in them. It is better to remove garbage as early as possible so that it is not blown by the wind throughout the area and does not infect other crops.

First you need to remove leaves and old mulch from under the bushes and be sure to burn them

Then the soil around the currant is dug up with a shovel to a depth of about 15–20 cm; near the bush itself it is carefully loosened with a hoe no deeper than 5 cm, so as not to damage the root system.

After the soil dries out, especially in the southern regions, currant plantings must be watered regularly. In this case, you should be guided by several rules:

watering is carried out as needed, on average usually once every 7–10 days;
3–4 liters of water are consumed for each bush; there is no need to flood the plants, as the roots can rot from excess moisture;
use settled, lukewarm water rather than cold tap water;
It is better to water in the evening after sunset, then the liquid will have time to well saturate the soil between the roots overnight;
there is no need to pour water from above into the center of the bush, watering is carried out along the perimeter of the crown;
Watering is carried out until the berries grow and begin to color; during this period, an excess of moisture is harmful, since the fruits can crack right on the branches.

Water the currants about once a week

In the Siberian region, we rarely water berry crops in the spring, since our winters are usually snowy and there is a lot of moisture. Currants need to be watered only on the hottest days of July, when there is minimal rainfall. But if suddenly we have warm spring days, then we need to monitor the bushes and, if necessary, moisten the soil, otherwise the berries will be small.

Rules for processing shrubs

To achieve maximum results from preventive treatment, it is important not only to accurately observe the dosage when preparing the solution, but also to correctly carry out the procedure itself. Time, the stage of plant development, as well as weather conditions should be taken into account. To carry out spraying, you will need specialized tools and protective equipment, which must be prepared in advance.

Processing times

All work on caring for plants in the garden is based on the natural cycle of plant development. Currants have a clear growing season and dormancy, the onset of which depends on the climate, variety and age of the bush. Before starting any preventive measures, it is recommended to carefully inspect the bush, prune it and take into account the weather forecast for the next 10 days.

In early spring

You can treat your garden from diseases and pests almost immediately after the snow melts. First of all, they use strong methods that can cause damage to the plant - watering the tree trunk with boiling water, treating with ammonia and stinging. It is recommended to spray the bush using traditional methods before active swelling of the buds on the shoots begins, which helps avoid the spread of ticks. The second mandatory treatment should occur at the beginning of flowering. Then the procedures are repeated after 10-14 days. Find out how to treat brown spots on currant leaves at this link.

In summer

Most harmful insects are activated after warming, as well as at the time of currant flowering. This is due to the beginning of the movement of juice in the shoots, which is important for their nutrition. In summer, treatment with home remedies is carried out until late autumn. Traditional methods do not harm the plant, nor do they impair the quality of the crop. Preventive spraying is carried out twice a month; it is recommended to alternate the products to achieve a lasting result. Mandatory stages for work are the flowering period, the beginning of the formation of ovaries and the entire period of mass fruiting.

When growing varieties that require pollination at the time of flowering, it is recommended to temporarily refrain from cultivating the garden. Biological insecticides can reduce summer activity and the number of beneficial insects.

Tools

To process the garden and prepare the working solution, you may need quite a few different tools. It is recommended to prepare them in advance, especially when growing currants in the first year. Important accessories:

protective equipment - gloves, boots and a respiratory mask;
metal containers with a volume of 8, 10 and 12 l;
measuring cup and scales;
spray;
watering can with different dispersion modes;
sieve or fine mesh for straining;
smoke generator for fumigation.

The simplest processing method is dusting. It is carried out by hand without the use of special tools. Some gardeners use plastic bottles with holes drilled in them to evenly distribute the dry powder.

Technology

There are several ways to treat garden plants against infection by insects and diseases. Basic preventive methods:

Root application . This is the usual watering of shrubs using a watering can with fine dispersion. The solution is used to treat the entire area of the tree trunk circle, as well as the row spacing. The method is especially effective against larvae overwintering in the soil, ants and mole crickets, and root nematodes.
Foliar application . It is dusting, spraying or fumigating bushes. As a rule, the working solution is prepared with a lower concentration to avoid damage to the leaves when the product gets on them. It is used to prevent infection of almost all herbivorous insects.

For comprehensive protection of shrubs, it is recommended to combine both methods. This allows you to increase the stability of the green parts and roots of the plant. Usually the methods are alternated using different means.

Mistakes made by new gardeners

Homemade treatments are mildly toxic and safe for plants. Inexperienced gardeners can make mistakes that lead to a deterioration in the health of the bush and depletion of the soil. Common violations:

incorrect choice of water temperature for preparing the solution;
non-compliance with the dosage, especially when working with strong substances (ammonium, mustard powder, vinegar);
frequent treatment, simultaneous use of chemical and household insecticides;
earlier work;
use of expired components, violation of storage and preparation regime.

It is important to choose the right application method. If necessary, use personal protective equipment.

conclusions

Traditional methods of processing currants in spring reduce the risk of developing pests and infections.
To create the products, simple ingredients that are found in any home are used. These are vinegar, laundry soap, mustard powder and others.
It is recommended to carry out the procedure 2-3 times with an interval of 3-7 days to reduce the number of insects.
For processing, you should have personal protective equipment, a spray bottle or sprayer, a watering can and a bucket.
Currant processing in the spring is carried out after the snow has melted on the site. The specific time for the work depends on the climate in the region. The procedure begins in April-May.

This material will tell you how to protect currants from aphids.

Processing and spraying currants with folk remedies

The treatment is carried out throughout the entire growing season; homemade recipes do not emit harmful substances. It is important to strictly follow the dosage, regimen and method of application.

Serum

This is a secondary product of milk processing. 93% consists of water, the rest is whey protein powder. They are a source of amino acids that are absorbed by plants. They are considered a natural source of beneficial minerals and vitamins. The substance has an acidic environment, due to which it is able to destroy pathogenic microorganisms that cause infections.

The serum is used for treatment diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Spraying is recommended to be carried out 4-5 times during the summer with an interval of 10 days.

Whey solution is used to accelerate the maturation of compost in a limited container, such as a barrel or bucket.

Is it possible to treat with honey?

Used to trap large insects, such as mole crickets or ants. A few drops of honey are poured onto a flat surface and left next to the bush. Pests get caught in a viscous mass, after which they cannot get out. Honey solution is useful for spraying currant varieties that require pollination. The pleasant smell attracts wasps and bees, which spread pollen. Care must be taken as the sweet aroma may attract some leaf-eating moths, which can destroy the plant within 1-2 years. Read here how to feed blackcurrants in June.

How to prepare garlic infusion

An effective remedy for the prevention and control of bud mites, aphids and some herbivorous caterpillars. To prepare garlic infusion, you will need 400 g of raw materials, which are poured into 10 liters of water. Mix the ingredients thoroughly to a homogeneous viscous mass. Leave in a dark place in a container with the lid closed for 5-6 hours. It is recommended to dilute the finished solution in a ratio of 1:10 to avoid burns to the leaves. For spraying an area of 10 square meters. meters requires 1 liter of strained liquid. The product is also used to treat the tree trunk area in early spring - garlic destroys larvae overwintering in the ground.

Is tobacco dangerous?

Tobacco leaves have a powerful insecticidal effect. They are used in amateur and industrial gardening for preventive treatment of gardens against pests. The product is natural and contains substances that do not accumulate in fruits and green parts of the bush. You can grow the raw materials yourself, use ready-made tobacco dust, shag. The preparation contains phosphorus and nitrogen compounds that enrich the soil.

As an alternative to tobacco, potato or tomato tops, which belong to this family, are used. However, they contain fewer beneficial phytoncides.

Tobacco dust

Biologically active substance obtained by processing dry tobacco leaves. Available in the form of powder and crumbs for fumigation of garden crops using a smoke generator. Sold in its pure form, as a mixture with slaked lime. The product is known as a strong insecticide. Effective on most herbivorous insects, effective against mites and aphids. In the form of an infusion, tobacco dust is used for spraying and watering the soil, in powder form - for dusting bushes in spring and summer.

How to make and spray bushes with tobacco infusion

Scheme for preparing the working solution:

Pour 400 g of tobacco dust or shag into 10 liters of hot water.
Let it brew for a day.
Dilute in a 1:1 ratio.
Add 50 g of grated laundry soap.

Tobacco infusion cannot be stored for a long time - it loses its beneficial properties. For spraying 10 sq. m area requires 2-3 liters of solution, as well as 40-50 g of powder for dusting or fumigation. Find out how to feed red currants after flowering here.

Is it possible to use mustard during flowering?

Mustard infusion is a popular household insecticide. It is used for the prevention and control of glass beetles, aphids and moths. Suitable for dusting, spraying. To prepare the solution, pour 200 g of dry powder into 10 liters of water and let it brew for two days. Before the procedure, dilute with water in a ratio of 1:5, add laundry soap in the amount of 40 g. Treatment is carried out from early spring to late autumn. Mustard does not worsen the taste of currants and does not disrupt metabolic processes in the bushes. It is recommended to carry out the procedures only in dry and windless weather.

To prevent garden pest infestation, experienced gardeners practice planting white or yellow mustard next to currants. The plant develops quickly; before flowering, the bushes are buried in the ground as green manure.

Boiling water

The product is suitable for spring watering of shrubs before the active swelling of the buds begins. Boiling water is poured over the near-trunk area of the soil in which the larvae are located. Using the method, you can get rid of spores of pathogenic fungi found in the ground (anthracnose, rust and powdery mildew). To water one plant, 10-12 liters of hot water, heated to a temperature of 80-90 oC, is enough. 2-3 hours after the procedure, it is recommended to deeply loosen the soil, then mulch with sawdust in a layer of up to 8 cm.

Onion peel solution for spraying

Biological insecticide used to treat the garden throughout the summer. Onion infusion helps get rid of the larvae of herbivorous butterflies, aphids and spider mites. To prepare the solution, pour 200 g of husk into 10 liters of warm water. Let it brew for 12-15 hours, then strain. The product is used for spraying shoots and leaves. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in the evening, waiting for dry weather. Onion peels are also used for digging into the ground, after mixing it with wood ash.

Soap (soap solution)

The product is used to prevent infection of currants by spider mites and bud mites, as an additional component for preparing an ash-based solution or herbal infusion. Soap has an insecticidal effect due to its alkaline environment and enhances metabolic processes in the bush. The method is easy to use, economical and available throughout the season. This article will tell you how to feed currants in the spring for a good harvest.

Economic

Natural soap has high alkalinity, due to which it has a negative effect on many herbivorous insects. To prepare a working solution, only 40-50 raw materials per 10 liters of warm water are enough.

The product is used both for watering and for spraying leaves, shoots and even flowers. It is advisable to repeat the procedure every two weeks to maintain lasting protection of the bush from infection.

Decorative soaps are not suitable for working with garden plants. It contains various chemical flavorings and preservatives that can worsen the taste of the berries.

The benefits of tar for currants - tar soap

The advantage of tar soap is its pungent odor that repels harmful insects in the garden. It is made from natural substances and is therefore safe for plants. To prepare a soap solution, you need 30-50 g of product, previously ground on a grater. The method is suitable for watering and spraying currants throughout the growing season. After treatment, the active effect lasts for up to several weeks due to the persistent aroma. Tar is added to an infusion of ash, tobacco dust or mustard to enhance effectiveness.

How to treat bushes with vinegar

A popular method of protecting shrubs from aphids, bud and spider mites. It is important to be careful, since in high concentrations vinegar can cause burns to leaves and roots. The effectiveness of the method is determined by the high acidity of the solution, which negatively affects insects. To prepare the solution, you need to mix 200 ml of table vinegar and 10 liters of cold water. Use for spraying shrubs starting in early spring. The method is not suitable for root application, and is also not combined with treatment with a soap solution. This material will tell you about the treatment of currants with Bordeaux mixture in the spring.

How to dilute fertilizer with ammonia

From a chemical point of view, the product is an aqueous solution of ammonia at 10% concentration. Some gardeners use ammonia as a source of nitrogen, which is not entirely correct. In the preparation, this macroelement is contained in an extremely volatile compound; upon contact with air, it dissipates almost immediately and does not accumulate in the soil. Suitable for pest prevention and control. Recommended for killing aphids, ants and some types of mites.

It is used for spraying green parts with a solution prepared at the rate of 40 ml of ammonia per 10 liters of water. As an enhancer, add 40 g of crushed soap to ensure closer contact of the product with the plant. It is recommended to carry out treatment no more than 3-4 times per season, starting in early spring.

Ammonia has a pungent odor and can cause hand burns. When working, you should follow safety rules - use a respiratory mask and gloves.

Spray technologies

In gardening, mechanized or manual spraying of bushes is used. On private plots, only the second method is used, since it only requires a watering can and a sprayer. During the procedure, it is important not only to follow safety rules, but also deadlines, since untimely processing can lead to the most unpleasant consequences.

Which tools to use

To carry out a complete treatment of currant planting with folk remedies, you will need:

sprayer or atomizer with dispersion regulator;
protective suit;
glasses or mask;
disposable or rubber gloves;
boots;
respirator.

In addition, to prepare folk remedies, you may need a 10-liter metal bucket, scales for measuring the weight of ingredients, and a mixing tool.

Almost all recipes for folk remedies for spring processing involve an infusion process, so the bucket for their creation must have a lid.

Rules

To enhance the effect of the treatment without causing harm to yourself and the plant, you should follow simple rules of procedure:

work only with protective gloves, a respirator and a mask;
follow the preparation technology, dosage and infusion time;
The infusion cannot be used if it is stored for more than 24-48 hours. Folk remedies should be stored in a cool and dark place;
if vinegar or ammonia gets on exposed parts of the body, rinse the area with plenty of water;
The processing time must be strictly observed; work cannot be carried out after the buds have begun to open.

Almost all folk remedies for currant processing are enhanced by adding a solution of copper sulfate or quicklime. This will allow you to quickly get rid of insects and also additionally feed the plant.

Deadlines

The time for preventive treatment completely depends on the climate and the region where the currants are planted. First of all, you need to focus on the time of snow melting. You need to start work immediately after this moment. In the south of the country, this usually occurs from the second ten days of April; in the northern regions and Siberia, processing is carried out later - until the end of May.

You cannot process the plant after the buds begin to swell - this leads to a decrease in the growth rate of currants and a deterioration in yield.