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Yakov Pavlovich
Professor, Head of the Department of Vegetable Growing
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A very effective alternative to chemical treatments for cucumbers is the use of Fitosporin. Due to its wide spectrum of action, low toxicity, and a wide variety of release forms, this drug is used not only in gardens and summer cottages, but also in greenhouses
What Fitosporin is, what its composition is, how it is used on such a melon crop as cucumber will be discussed in this article.
Description of the drug
"Fitosporin" is a biological fungicide for protecting plants from fungal and bacterial diseases. Its basis is living cultures. Effective in treating all types of rot and many other diseases of cucumbers. It is used at all stages of plant formation.
Many summer residents are interested in the question of when can they eat cucumbers after treatment with Fitosporin. The natural fungicide is not a pesticide; there is no waiting period for harvesting cucumbers - the crop can be picked immediately after treatment with the product.
The drug has a long shelf life of 4 years, it retains its qualities at temperatures of –50...+40°C.
All about phytosporin All secrets of phytosporin
Storage conditions
It is recommended to store Fitosporin at temperatures ranging from -50 to +40 degrees, avoiding areas with direct sunlight. The latter are destructive to living bacteria that the product contains. You should also keep the drug in a dry place, away from moisture. The prepared concentrate must be placed in a cool place. Food and children's toys should not be placed near the container containing the medicinal substance.
Varieties
There are several types of “Fitosporin” found in garden centers; their active ingredients are the same. The most popular is “Fitosporin-M”, the properties of which are enhanced by the additive “Gumi”. There is “Fitosporin-K Olympic”. Fungicides have a low content of additional components.
"Fitosporin-M" is produced in the form of:
- gray-white powder, packaged in 10 and 30 g (disadvantage – the need for preliminary dilution in water);
- pastes of dense mass, brown in color, in a package weighing 10-20 g;
- liquids - ready-made substrate, facilitated effect on fruits.
"Fitosporin-M", produced in the form of a powder or paste, is odorless. The liquid solution of the product emits a pungent odor of ammonia, which disappears when diluted with water.
Release form
The product is available in the following form:
- powder;
- paste;
- liquid.
The drug can be used in a number of other cases. Suitable for processing tubers, after which they are well stored. If you treat cucumbers, in particular tubers, they will not be subject to any types of rot, including fruit rot.
The instructions for use say that the drug can be used at any time, regardless of the stage of crop development: growing season, flowering period and fruit ripening. The harvest will be protected even on the day it is processed.
Composition, active substance
The main active ingredients of the bacteriological agent are live spore culture and cells (2 billion/g) of soil bacteria Bacillus subtilis - strain 26D (bacillus subtilis). These bacteria are perfectly preserved at sub-zero temperatures and can withstand heat.
In case of negative impact, they quickly turn into a spore state. When the powder reacts with water, the spores are activated, and when treating sick cucumbers, the effect of pathogenic bacteria is completely neutralized.
Additional substances of "Fitosporin-M":
- “Gumi” additive is a natural growth stimulator, contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium;
- chalk – used as a thickener;
- microelements - copper, zinc, manganese, boron.
In what cases is the medicine used?
"Fitosporin-M" is used when infected with pathogenic fungi that cause bacteriosis, rot, phomosis, and late blight. Effective in the fight against powdery mildew. "Fitosporin-M" is used for yellow leaves on cucumbers of unknown origin. It is used to disinfect seed material and to disinfect the soil before planting seedlings. The product is used to regenerate plant microflora after treatment with pesticides.
The preparation contains humic acids, so it is used as a growth stimulator, for feeding and as an immunomodulator.
Attention ! The presence of humic acid stimulates the development of the root system. The drug is suitable for root feeding and is not suitable for irrigation in the morning and daytime, since living spores die under the influence of sunlight.
Compatibility of the biofungicide with other products
Fitosporin-M is incompatible with drugs that give an alkaline reaction. When interacting with such agents, it precipitates and loses its beneficial properties. Fitosporin is compatible with the following drugs:
- Chemical fungicides: Vitivax 200, Strobi, Tilt premium, Fundazol and Quadris.
- Insecticides: Decis, Aktara and Fitoverm.
- Fertilizers and growth stimulants: Amulet, Plantafol, Kornevin, Ribav-Extra, Zircon, Epin.
- Antibiotic Fitolavin.
There is no need to combine a biofungicide with growth stimulants if it contains humic acids. There are different types of Fitosporin on sale. The packaging says what vegetable it is intended for. The drug contains micro- and macroelements that the culture needs most.
Important!
There is no need to additionally feed cucumbers with mineral fertilizers, otherwise there will be an excess of nutrients, which is not harmless.
How to use correctly
Depending on the form of release, the drug is diluted with different concentrations.
Powder
Fitosporin powder is soaked an hour before use, dormant spore cultures should be activated.
Directions for use:
- cucumber seeds are soaked for 1.5-2 hours before sowing in a solution composed of 1.5 g of dry matter per 100 ml of water;
- for pre-treatment of the root system of cucumber seedlings before planting, to prevent rot, soak for two hours in a solution made up of 2 g of powder and 1 liter of water, before planting the cucumbers, water the soil for disinfection;
- when affected by pathogenic fungi, cucumber seedlings are sprayed in the evening in the same concentration, treatment is carried out 3 times every 10-14 days.
It is not recommended to dissolve Fitosporin-M in running water. Chlorinated tap water will kill living bacteria. It is better to dissolve the drug in settled water.
Paste
The paste contains the additive “Gumi”, so it is used as a growth stimulant. The paste is diluted with water at the rate of 50 g of paste per 100 ml of water. Immediately before processing, additionally dilute:
- for soaking cucumber seeds - 2 drops of solution per 100 ml of water, keep in solution for 1.5 hours;
- spray the vegetative parts of cucumbers for the prevention and treatment of various lesions - 4 drops of solution per 250 ml of water.
Liquid
Liquid “Fitosporin” is a ready-to-use solution that does not require dilution with water. Designed for processing cucumber bushes leaf by leaf during the growing season. Cucumbers selected for storage are also subject to treatment with the liquid preparation. The seeds are soaked in the liquid before sowing.
Liquid fungicide is available under various names: “Golden Autumn”, “Storage”.
Advantages
Use the drug strictly according to the instructions
Gardeners and gardeners note the high quality and effectiveness of the product. It is unique and allows you to carry out various procedures for caring for vegetables. Select the dosage indicated in the instructions and water, spray, and fertilize.
Fitosporin performs the following important functions:
- treatment of several diseases at once (especially rot, powdery mildew, pest attacks);
- protection of leaves from damage by pests;
- preserving the root system and protecting it from pathogenic organisms from the ground;
- active growth stimulator of seeds, bushes, fruits;
- 4 safety class for the human body;
- 70-90% success rate in the fight against fungi, insects, aphids, bacteria;
- reducing the influence of harmful chemical fertilizers on the cucumber bush;
- used throughout the growing season;
- increase in yield by more than 15%;
- excellent compatibility with similar tools, etc.
An important advantage of Fitosporin is its affordable price. The average cost of a 100 ml jar of the drug is 125 UAH, of powder – 15 UAH. (10 g), paste mixture (200 g) – 35 UAH. Thanks to this, every gardener can purchase the product in different forms.
Fitosporin extends the shelf life of cucumbers.
But living Bacillus subtilis bacteria die instantly when exposed to direct sunlight. There may also be some difficulties with dosage, because... dispenser is missing.
Processing methods
Plant protection is recommended at all stages of development. The natural fungicide has a mild effect: it can be sprayed and watered the soil without restrictions.
Soaking the seeds
To disinfect cucumber seeds, before sowing, soak them in a solution of 4 drops of the drug and 250 ml of water. The procedure is carried out for 1.5-2 hours, washed with running water and sown in peat pots.
Soil disinfection
The product is applied to the soil for disinfection. The drug contains substances that increase resistance to the negative effects of pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The soil is treated with a solution consisting of 15 g of powder and 10 liters of water. Soil disinfection is carried out before sowing and after harvesting in the fall.
Treatment for diseases
To treat diseases, 30 g of fungicide is dissolved in 10 liters of water.
The prepared mixture is used to treat infected cucumber bushes on one hundred square meters. Depending on the type of disease, root treatment or spraying is carried out. In case of severe damage, the volume of concentrate and the frequency of treatments are increased.
“Fitosporin” is a real “reanimator”, capable of bringing even a withering plant back to life.
Prevention of infections
To prevent infection, cucumbers are treated with Fitosporin solution every 1-2 weeks. To do this, use a solution obtained by mixing a glass of water and four drops of the prepared concentrate. When treating the plant, the composition must be applied to both sides of the leaves.
It is also recommended to treat the root system with Fitosporin every 14 days to prevent the development of rot. During the rainy season, this procedure should be repeated 2 times within one week. At this time, it is necessary to monitor the humidity level, avoiding excessive watering and regularly ventilating the greenhouse or greenhouse.
Rules of use, seasonality and frequency of processing
"Fitosporin" is used to process cucumbers at all stages of development. In early spring, seeds and seedlings are prepared, and the ground is prepared before sowing. In summer, vegetative and fruiting bushes are treated. In late autumn, the soil is disinfected in preparation for the next season.
Irrigation is not carried out on rainy days, as rain will wash away the protective film formed during spraying. For foliar treatment, add 10 ml of liquid soap to the working solution for better adhesion of the drug to the green mass. Powder not diluted with water has no effect.
Important ! It is not recommended to treat cucumbers with a natural fungicide in sunny weather. Living bacteria die in the light.
How many times can you spray cucumbers with Fitosporin? The frequency of foliar treatments is every 7-10 days, depending on the degree of damage. Watering the solution at the root is carried out once a month.
Instructions for use of “Fitosporin M” for cucumbers
When using a biofungicide for disinfection, selected seeds are dipped into the prepared working solution. They are kept in liquid for 30 minutes. Then they are washed and dried under running water, spread on a paper napkin. You can additionally spray them with a solution of a vegetable growth stimulating agent.
To disinfect the soil mixture for growing seedlings, prepare the liquid according to the consumption rates. Next, it is used to spill the soil in seedling containers or pour it onto the bed where the cucumbers will grow.
To treat cucumbers in beds in open ground or a greenhouse, the prepared working solution is evenly applied to the green part of the bush. When spraying, pay special attention to the underside of the leaves, where parasites especially often settle. If the bush is too thick or heavily infected, the drug is applied more generously. In the active stage of the disease, the solution is watered at the roots of the bushes. Additionally, the lower part of the stems is treated with the drug. All damaged parts of the plant are removed and burned before treatment. You can see in detail about the treatment of cucumbers with “Fitosporin M” in the video.
Reviews
According to reviews from gardeners, the drug “Fitosporin-M” is superior in effectiveness to many other products and is indispensable for cucumbers.
Ilya, Volkhov: “When the cucumbers turned yellow, I immediately remembered Fitosporin.” I always buy pasta, it’s more convenient. It is better to leave the diluted solution in the room for a day; in a couple of hours, as stated on the package, the bacteria do not have time to wake up.”
Irina, Orsk: “Before planting cucumbers, 3-4 days before, I treat the soil with Fitosporin.” The product has time to activate and begin to act during this time. The cucumbers don’t get sick all season, the harvest is good.”
Solution "Fitosporin Reanimator"
In addition to the main components, it contains vitamins and other useful enzymes. Judging by user reviews, this drug saves from many diseases that are usually considered incurable. It is diluted in a ratio of one to twenty at the initial stage of the disease, and in a ratio of 1:2 during the acute phase. In order to save the plant, the soil and top should be treated every forty-eight hours. Water for diluting the concentrated composition should be boiled and cooled. Its temperature should not be below twenty degrees.
In order for bacteria to wake up and become active, they need at least two hours. Only after the allotted time can you start using the composition
When processing a plant, it is very important to spray the lower part of the leaf blades. The fact is that bacteria and fungi are very often located at the bottom or at the base of the leaf
The work is carried out after sunset, since beneficial bacteria die under direct sunlight and in the heat.
Toxicity and precautions when working with the drug
The product is safe for humans and has a hazard class of 4. Can be used in an apartment. Upon contact with mucous membranes, it causes minor irritation.
When working with the drug it is recommended:
- protect your hands with rubber gloves;
- use a respirator and safety glasses when spraying;
- if the solution gets on the skin or mucous membranes, rinse them with running water;
- when swallowing the drug, it is recommended to drink activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight.
