Treating grapes with copper sulfate is part of the arsenal of mandatory activities for any amateur gardener. The drug is widely used in agriculture due to its fungicidal properties - the ability to eliminate pathogenic spores, fungi, and various plant diseases. Along the way, it fertilizes the soil, that is, it performs two tasks at once. It is simply irreplaceable for vineyards, because fungal infections for the vines are often disastrous.
There are many rumors about the use of copper sulfate for grapes; after all, the substance belongs to the class of poisonous and can harm the plant if not processed correctly. But most experienced gardeners on specialized forums advise beginners not to be afraid to use this drug and not to abandon it. In a precisely selected dosage, the substance will only bring benefits to the vine.
Copper sulfate
What beginner gardeners should know about copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is a fertilizer that comes in the form of bluish crystals. From a chemical point of view, this substance is a compound of copper salt and sulfuric acid, so it also has another name: copper sulfate. The composition is perfectly assimilated in water, which makes it possible to obtain a solution for spraying grapes.
It is permissible to use fertilizer as a top dressing, because copper sulfate is the same copper, only in a different form, in which the microelement can be absorbed by plants. It is necessary for grapes for strong immunity, resistance to drought and frost. With its deficiency, there is a delay in growth and fruiting, and wilting.
Copper sulfate can be unknowingly confused with iron sulfate, although these are two completely different substances. Ferric sulfate is emerald green crystals.
Iron sulfate
Copper sulfate is added to the soil as a top dressing in very small doses, the same applies to spraying to combat fungal and other diseases. If you handle the drug carelessly, it can burn the vine and cause harm to yourself. The peculiarity of this substance is that even in a well-diluted form it very effectively helps with various kinds of problems, for example, it gets rid of phylloxera - a real threat to vineyards.
Interesting! Phylloxera is a small midge, a parasite that was brought to Europe from America in the 50s of the 19th century. And he almost destroyed the vineyards of the Old World because they did not know how to fight him. As a result, vine plantings in France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal were destroyed by 2/3 and were restored only by the middle of the 20th century.
Grape Phylloxera
Even though copper sulfate is toxic, there is no need to be afraid to use it on fruit-bearing vines. The drug does not penetrate deeply into the tissues and does not accumulate in them, but acts superficially and is quickly washed off with water. Therefore, ripe berries can be eaten without the risk of poisoning.
Effective folk remedies
If the gardener does not want to use special preparations to treat the bushes, you can use proven traditional methods.
Rotten hay
The fight against fungus can be carried out using rotted hay. To do this, 1 kg of hay is soaked in a bucket of water and left for a day. The resulting solution is strained and used to spray the bush.
Garlic infusion
Garlic has an antifungal effect. To use, chop the head of garlic and add a liter of water. The resulting composition is infused for a day, after which it is strained. The infusion is mixed with 5 liters of water, and the grape bush is sprayed.
Important. When spraying with garlic solution, it is necessary to carry out 2-3 procedures with an interval of 4-5 days.
In what cases is copper sulfate used for treating vineyards?
There are two ways to use copper sulfate on vine plantations:
- Feeding - a lack of a basic microelement leads to damage to plants by fungi and other ailments (due to weakened immunity).
- Sanitary treatment in order to eliminate signs of disease - that is, in essence, this is the treatment of grapes that are already parasitized by fungus and other similar unwanted organisms.
Treatment of grapes with copper sulfate
Depending on the purpose for which the drug is used, its dosage and method of application are determined. As a fertilizer, it is applied to the soil, and for treatment, the vines are sprayed with an aqueous solution of copper sulfate. Although the second method is universal, it is also permissible to feed plants in this way during certain periods.
Copper sulfate is usually fed to vines growing on infertile sandy-clayey and peat soils. If the vineyard is planted on black soil, then it does not require copper fertilizer. It is unacceptable to exceed the dosage of the substance when feeding, because an excess of copper in the soil is just as dangerous as a deficiency.
As a sanitary and therapeutic agent, the drug has proven itself well in the fight against scab, powdery mildew, brown and white spot, and mycoses. It is permissible to combine this remedy with others that are capable of penetrating tissue and killing diseases hidden inside. Such drugs include Strobi, Ridomil Gold and others.
Fungicide Strobi
Causes of infection
Often unfavorable conditions contribute to the problem.
Mechanical damage
Often the cause of the disease is mechanical damage to the cortex. When a crack forms, infection occurs with a disease that affects the tissue and manifests itself as symptoms on the leaves and young shoots.
Violation of the rules of care
Improper care and its complete absence very often leads to weakened immunity and the formation of symptoms of the disease. Lack of pruning of the vine and the growth of weeds can lead to the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease. Lack of drainage can also provoke the formation of anthracnose.
Lack of essential microelements
A lack of useful elements in the soil leads to weak immunity, as a result of which the plant begins to get sick and is attacked by fungal infections. An insufficient amount of phosphorus-potassium minerals can cause symptoms of anthracnose.
Violation of the watering regime
Excessive watering leads to the appearance of fungus. Also, with frequent rains, the fungus can mix with wind and drops, which contributes to the infection of healthy bushes.
High acidity level
Soil that contains a high level of acidity often promotes the appearance of fungal spores, this is due to the fact that this type of soil allows infections to multiply quickly, resulting in infection.
Pests
Flying pests that move from bush to bush can often cause disease on grapes. Since spores can move on the legs of insects and, if they get on a healthy plant, quickly progress.
Pros and cons of the method
Treatment of grapes with copper sulfate is often called the classical method. Indeed, it has been known for a long time and, despite the emergence of a large number of modern drugs, continues to be popular. This speaks to its undoubted advantages, which include:
- accessibility - you can buy copper sulfate at any hardware store;
- low cost, and in comparison with more modern analogues, even cheap - from 25 to 45 rubles per 100 g;
- economical consumption - with one 100-gram bag you can treat a large area, several times;
- when used correctly, the substance will not harm plants and humans, it is toxic in moderation and requires compliance with basic safety rules;
- the drug has proven itself to be an excellent preventive agent; it is capable of destroying not only the symptoms of diseases, but also fungal spores and pest larvae, preventing relapses.
Copper sulfate has proven itself to be an excellent prophylactic agent
. There are also disadvantages:
- the dosage must be strictly observed;
- the duration of the drug is short, so it must be used regularly, several times a year, at certain periods;
- You can still be poisoned by it if you work in the garden without protective clothing and are careless about safety precautions.
When to treat the vine
Specific terms for treating grapes with copper sulfate are established depending on the purpose of the procedure. But according to the standard, the vine must be sprayed in spring and autumn, and in summer the use of the drug is variable - it may or may not be carried out. In the hottest time of the year, gardeners prefer to use more gentle preparations, because copper sulfate can burn green leaves, but it is permissible to simply try to dilute it more strongly, although this will reduce the effectiveness of the product.
There are three seasonal treatments:
- in spring - preventative, for the purpose of feeding;
- in summer - for emergency care with severe signs of disease;
- in the fall - to completely destroy harmful microorganisms and spores.
Signs of contracting the disease
Anthracnose manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- the formation of brown spots on the leaves;
- the leaf becomes spotted and gradually dies;
- the berries become covered with small dark spots, which contribute to the appearance of rot and damage to the crop;
- the bark begins to crack, causing the vine to break and dry out;
- shoots become brittle, with small dark spots.
With severe infection, the formation of symptoms is observed.
How to prepare a solution of copper sulfate
The aqueous suspension with the drug should not be saturated, so it is diluted very strongly - no more than 5 g per 1 liter of water. But this is the extreme limit; more often they use proportions of 1 to 1 or 3 to 1. That is, the solution of copper sulfate for processing grapes can be made 1-5 percent, depending on the purpose of use:
- 1% – planned spring treatment of the vine, take 1 g of substance per 1 liter of water;
- 3% – sanitary treatment when signs of disease are detected, 3 g of the substance is taken per 1 liter of water;
- 5% – autumn treatment of old vines for the winter, take 5 g of the substance per 1 liter of water.
The aqueous suspension with the drug should not be saturated.
Plants with fully expanded leaves are sprayed with a very weak solution. The drug can burn greens, so it is necessary to make its effect as gentle as possible. To do this, mix only 0.5 g of copper sulfate and 1 liter of water.
It is good to use the substance in its pure form only in the fall, when there is no longer a risk of harm to plants and future ovaries. And in spring and summer, experienced gardeners advise using the so-called Bordeaux mixture, which, in addition to copper sulfate and water, contains slaked lime. This ingredient reduces the acidity of copper sulfate and makes it less toxic.
You can buy a ready-made mixture for preparing Bordeaux mixture at an agricultural supply store, or make it yourself by simply combining lime and copper sulfate in a ratio of 1 to 1. It is permissible to make such a preparation more concentrated - 10%, that is, dilute 10 g of the substance per 1 liter of water.
Preparation of Bordeaux mixture
On specialized forums, it is advised to add another additional ingredient to the solution - grated laundry soap (you can use the liquid version). Thanks to this additive, the mixture will stick better to the shoots and will not drain right away.
How to dilute copper sulfate for processing grapes correctly
Experienced gardeners advise paying special attention to two factors:
- The mixture should be prepared not in plastic or iron, but in glass containers;
- You need to take warm water - this way the drug and other ingredients will dissolve better.
The prepared composition is used immediately, because it quickly loses its properties.
Bordeaux mixture is one of the plant protection products.
Recipe for preparing a solution of copper sulfate for treating grapes in 5 liters of water (for example):
- We take a capacious container, pour warm water and stir the required amount of the drug in it (for 5 liters for a 1% solution you need to take 5 g of copper sulfate).
- In another bowl, dilute slaked lime - 100-150 g (1% solution) per 5 liters of warm water. Add liquid or shaved laundry soap here and mix well.
- Mix the vitriol solution and milk of lime, acting carefully so that foam does not form.
- We filter the resulting Bordeaux mixture through a filter several times, removing small stones and debris that are in the lime and can clog the nozzle of the sprayer.
During use, the drug needs to be stirred several more times - the lime quickly settles and the concentration of the ingredients changes because of this. Without stirring, you will first pour only water onto the vine, and then a highly concentrated product.
Processing technology
The best option is to use a household sprayer to treat grapes with copper sulfate, which is a must-have in every gardener’s arsenal. With its help, it will be possible to carry out the procedure correctly - until each shoot of the vine is completely and thoroughly wetted. It is necessary to pour at least 1.5 liters of the mixture onto each large branch - the so-called sleeve. In general, one large bush should require at least 4-5 liters.
If you don’t have a sprayer at hand, you can use the “old-fashioned method”: take a short broom and spray the mixture with it. But, firstly, you will spend more effort and time, and secondly, it will not be possible to cover the vine well with vitriol in this way.
Using a household sprayer to treat grapes with copper sulfate
It should be taken into account that the plant itself should be well irrigated, and not the soil underneath it - root feeding with copper sulfate is carried out separately and in strictly dosed doses. Therefore, before processing, it is recommended to cover the soil under the bush with film. You need to start watering from the top of the grape bush, gradually moving to the middle and lower tiers, then to the trunk. The spray mouthpiece is held at a distance of 20 cm from the branches, directing the stream from bottom to top.
The supports should also be treated; they are also often parasitized by fungus and its spores may remain.
Anthracnose-resistant grape varieties
Prevention and proper agricultural technology will, of course, protect the crop from fungal diseases. However, growing grape varieties that are resistant to anthracnose is a more reliable option.
These varieties include:
- Sauvignon;
- Yasya;
- Saperavi;
- Tsolikouri;
- Riesling;
- Nimrang;
- Tangra;
- Chasselas white.
However, it is also necessary to know the varieties that are vulnerable to the fungus. Among them, Lydia, Isabella, Husaine and Karaburni are considered the most defenseless. At the same time, they are practically not affected by downy mildew, gray rot and oidium.
Thus, recognizing the first signs of anthracnose in grapes, the gardener needs to act immediately. Since fungal disease is very difficult to cure, it is better to prevent it. To do this, you need to carry out preventive measures in a timely manner and follow agricultural techniques for growing crops.
Features of seasonal treatments
The best time to use copper sulfate for the purpose of prevention is the beginning of spring - when the vine is just awakening and has not yet thrown out its leaves. When the buds have already blossomed, it is no longer possible to spray - the drug can burn young greenery.
Spring treatment of grapes with copper sulfate
You should accurately predict the time - when the air temperature is already above 5 degrees, but the buds on the vine have not yet bloomed. It is also necessary to check the weather forecast to ensure there is no precipitation. Rain will wash the drug off the branches and transfer it to the soil, oversaturating it with fertilizer.
Spring treatment of grapes with copper sulfate
Treatment of grapes in early spring with copper sulfate is carried out according to the following scheme:
- We free the vine from covering material.
- Raises the branches above the ground and secures them to the trellises.
- Let it dry a little in the sun - a couple of days.
- We prepare the drug and use it immediately.
The standard dosage for treating grapes with copper sulfate in the spring is 1 g of the drug per 1 liter of water. The timing of the procedure differs slightly for different regions: in the middle zone the optimal time is the second half of March, in the south - at the beginning of the first spring month, in Siberia and the Urals - in early April.
If you did not have time or did not consider it necessary to use the drug in early spring, then this can be done later - when the vine is already preparing to bloom. In this case, the priority task is to wet the stalks with the composition in order to protect them from fungus and rot, as well as from parasites. Treatment of grapes before flowering with copper sulfate is carried out by analogy with the standard version.
In the spring, root feeding of the vine is carried out, if necessary. You need to look at the condition of the leaves: insufficiently bright color and uneven coloring indicate a lack of copper in the soil. For the same reason, the growth of shoots slows down, which is why the vine itself becomes thin and weak. Feed the plant with a 1% solution of copper sulfate.
Summer treatment
In the summer, the vine is rarely sprayed with copper sulfate, only if signs of disease are already very noticeable. Usually a very weak solution is prepared - 0.5%. But the proportions of copper sulfate for processing grapes can be increased if the vine is affected by lichens or oidium - in this case it is permissible to use a 3% solution.
Summer treatment of grapes with copper sulfate
If fertilizing with copper-containing preparations was not carried out in the spring, then it can be done in July if signs of microelement deficiency are observed in the soil. Fertilizer is applied foliarly at a concentration of 0.2-0.3 g of copper sulfate per liter of water.
Autumn processing
Before wintering, the vine needs to be thoroughly treated again to prevent the development of diseases and kill harmful spores. The procedure should be postponed until last - until the leaves fly off the bush. In the middle zone, the suitable period for treating grapes with copper sulfate in the fall is at the end of October-beginning of November, in the south - at the end of November.
The vine should be thoroughly inspected, severely affected branches should be removed, and the leaves remaining on the branches and fallen leaves should be removed. Then the shoots need to be tied into a bundle and thoroughly sprayed with a 5% solution of copper sulfate.
Treatment of grape cuttings with copper sulfate
The drug can be used not only for already planted vines, but also for cuttings left for storage. They can also develop fungus and mold. Therefore, before storing them, you should spray the shoots with a 4% solution of copper sulfate or dip them in it and remove them after 10-15 seconds.
Soaking grape seedlings in copper sulfate before planting
Safety requirements when working with copper sulfate
The drug can pose a danger not only to plants, but also to humans. Therefore, when treating grapes with copper sulfate, it is imperative to follow safety rules.
- Wear clothing that is as closed as possible with long arms and shoes that cover your feet well.
- Protect your hands with rubberized or completely rubber gloves.
- To protect your face, use a respirator or at least a regular medical mask.
- You should wear glasses over your eyes.
- Never spray the product in windy weather - there is a high chance that the dispersion will blow away onto you. It is better to carry out the procedure early in the morning or in the evening so that the liquid does not have time to evaporate under the rays of the sun.
Safety requirements when working with copper sulfate
Do not allow the drug to come into contact with the skin or respiratory system, as it contains sulfuric acid, which is very dangerous for humans.
Biological products
Biological preparations do not contain toxins harmful to humans and are used at various stages of crop vegetation.
The following agents showed the greatest effect in the treatment of anthracnose:
- "Mikosan";
- "Planriz";
- "Gapsin."
"Mikosan" contains an alkaline extract of special microorganisms (tinder fungus), which destroy pathogenic microflora and also help improve the immunity of grapes.
"Planriz" contains a strain of soil microorganisms Pseudomonas fluorescens, which helps fight fungal infections, making the soil healthier.
“Gaupsin” contains two strains of an aqueous suspension of bacteria that have an effect on fungi, saving plants from diseases, and on pests. The drug is not toxic to humans and does not affect the taste of berries. Unlike chemicals, biological products are allowed to be used during the blooming of flowers and during the fruiting stage.
Question answer
What to do if copper sulfate does get on your skin?
If, during the treatment of grapes with copper sulfate, some of the drug does splash onto the skin, you should wash it off well with soap and, if necessary, treat the affected area with an antiseptic. If after some time irritation or burns appear, consult a doctor. If the drug gets into your eyes, wash them immediately with plenty of clean water.
If you accidentally inhale the dispersion, your health may worsen - nausea, diarrhea, and weakness will appear. It is better to immediately consult a doctor with this problem, but before that you can drink a glass of milk or 2 raw eggs - this will help remove the poison from the body faster, but does not guarantee that the poisoning will remain without consequences. Drinking a lot of water or diluted potassium permanganate is not recommended.
If it rains immediately after treatment, can I spray the vine again?
Copper tends to accumulate in soil and tissues. And its excess is very dangerous for plants. Therefore, if the drug is washed away by a sudden rain, it will be possible to re-treat only after a month or even later.
How long does the effect of copper sulfate last?
The drug begins to work within a couple of hours after spraying and is quite effective. It provides protection to the vine for 2 weeks, but this time is enough to destroy fungus and pests.
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