Copper sulfate: application in gardening, how to properly dilute and instructions

Copper sulfate as a fungicide and fertilizer is widely used in gardening. This tool is well known to gardeners and vegetable growers. The use of copper sulfate in horticulture results in good plant development and increased yields. Consider when and why to use it, how to dilute the solution, in what dosage for different agricultural practices. What is vitriol compatible with, the rules for its storage, similar preparations.

What is copper sulfate, the principle of action

This is a copper s alt of sulfuric acid, crystals of a beautiful bright blue-blue color. They have no taste or smell. They dissolve well in heated water, are hygroscopic.

Vitriol is used in horticulture as a fungicide and copper fertilizer. The effect of the drug is due to the content of copper ions, in the first case - their detrimental effect on fungi, in the second - the need of plants for this element. In both cases, the action of copper enhances the immunity of plants, they become more resistant to diseases.

The element takes part in the formation of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates and nitrogen, which ultimately has a positive effect on the quality of fruits: root crops acquire a sweeter taste, cereal grains and oilseeds contain more fat, protein, sugars and acids, potatoes become starchy.

When and why it is used

Branches and trunks of shrubs and trees, vines are treated with vitriol in spring, while they are at rest, or in autumn, when the leaves have already flown around.It is important that there are no leaves on the plants, and the buds remain unopened, because a concentrated solution is used during spring and autumn treatments, which leaves burns on the leaves.

The purpose of using copper sulphate is as follows: to disinfect the bark on branches and trunks from fungi, destroy pests under it and prevent infection or entry of pests and their reproduction.

During the season, sulfate is used to feed plants with copper. The lack of this element is observed especially strongly on peat and sandy soils, less - on fertile ones, for example, on chernozems.

Copper vitriol is also used as an antiseptic, which is used to treat wooden structures to prevent the development of mold on the walls of cellars, greenhouses and other outbuildings. The frequency of treatment is 1 time in six months, the solution is applied with a brush or from a spray bottle. For better adhesion and enhanced fungicidal action, the substance is mixed with lime.

How to breed blue vitriol

Depending on the destination, the concentration of the drug will be different. General rules for preparation: only a non-metallic container is suitable for stirring the solution, you can take plastic, glass or ceramic. Take not cold water, it is best heated to 50 ˚С. In cold dissolution takes longer, the crystals quickly settle to the bottom. Dissolving and preparing the solution take longer.

For feeding

Once a season you need to fertilize the land with copper-containing fertilizers. Vitriol should be applied at the rate of 1 g per 1 sq. m. Since it is difficult to evenly scatter such an amount of powder, you need to dissolve it in water and water the ground. For spraying, the dosage will be different - dilute 1-2 g per 10 liters.

For treatment

To prepare a solution for processing branches of trees and bushes, you need to dissolve 300 g in 10 liters, thereby obtaining a 3% solution.Vegetables in the garden cannot be sprayed with such a concentrated agent; a 1.5% solution is prepared for them. It is necessary to carry out the last spraying 1-2 days before harvesting the fruits, be sure to rinse before use.

For burning out

Proportions for dilution - 500 g per 10 l, that is, a 5% solution. It is used, for the most part, to disinfect and destroy mold areas on the walls of buildings and structures. In the garden, a solution of this concentration is used to control mosses on trees. It is necessary to process extremely carefully, only on sleeping trees.

For whitewashing trunks

Trunks and lower parts of branches in the spring are usually treated with copper sulphate from fungi. It is simply dissolved in water, at a concentration of 3%, or mixed with lime in the same proportion. Whitewash trees 1 time with the onset of heat. The purpose of the treatment is to destroy pathogens and pests that are under the bark.It is important to whitewash on time, if you are late, the pests will spread throughout the plant and begin to multiply.

From pests

Such treatments can be carried out in spring and autumn, but if pests appeared on the plant during the growing season, use a 1% solution (you need to dilute 100 g of powder in 10 liters of water). The maximum frequency of spraying is after 2 weeks.

Instructions for use

Spray liquid should be prepared before use and used quickly, it does not keep for a long time. Stir until completely dissolved and during operation, also shake from time to time to maintain uniformity. When breeding, it is important to accurately dose the powder, if you exceed the norm, the solution will be toxic to plants, especially if applied on green leaves.

Spraying should be carried out in dry weather, on a calm day. The solution works best in warm weather.If it is expected to rain, it is best to postpone processing. If the solution is washed off, it should not be reapplied immediately. With an excess of copper accumulates in the plant, fruits, when it enters the soil, it accumulates in it. An excess is just as harmful to the life of plants as a deficiency. The action of the substance begins after 2-4 hours and lasts a week and a half.

As a fertilizer, vitriol is used more often for quick feeding with copper. It is applied by watering or spraying. A single application for plants is usually enough to get everything back to normal.

Safety precautions

Copper sulfate belongs to class 3 drugs in terms of toxicity. It contains agents with moderate toxicity. If you use the drug according to the instructions, poisoning is rare. However, in contact with the skin and mucous membranes, vitriol often causes irritation; to reduce the likelihood of this, you need to work with it only with rubber gloves.Protect your eyes with goggles and wear a respirator. Do not drink, smoke or eat during processing.

If the solution gets on the skin, be sure to wash it off with warm water. If signs of malaise appear that may indicate poisoning, conduct self-treatment: drink activated charcoal, drink at least 1 liter of water. Wait 15 min. and induce vomiting. If there is no improvement, see a doctor.

Compatibility with other substances

Do not dilute the drug in general mixtures with drugs from the FOS group and agents that can decompose when interacting with alkaline substances. Despite its generally good compatibility, copper sulfate is not recommended to be mixed with any other pesticides. It is advisable to keep the interval between treatments at least 1-2 weeks.

Storage rules

The shelf life of copper sulphate, as indicated by manufacturers, is 3 years. But many gardeners have found in practice that, subject to storage conditions, this substance can be stored without loss of properties much longer.

The main storage condition is a dry room. The powder, which is in the air, constantly absorbs moisture. The substance clumps and hardens. This does not affect its properties, but lumps dissolve worse.

The prepared solution is recommended to be used on the same day, but it can also be stored for no more than 3 months. That is, if something remains after processing, you do not need to pour out the solution, you can drain it into a plastic canister and store it under a closed lid.

Storage temperature range - from minus 30 to plus 30 ˚С. The powder is not afraid of freezing, so it is not necessary to keep it in a warm room. Copper sulphate should be placed separately from food, feed and household products. Store in a place where it is inaccessible to children and animals.

Analogues

Copper sulfate in agriculture and private sector is replaced by preparations containing copper.For example, you can use the means "Speed", "Chorus", "Hom", "Strobe". These are effective fungicides that are used in the same way as vitriol - to treat fungi and to prevent their occurrence. Fungicides are used on trees and bushes in autumn and spring, but they can also be used on vegetables and berries throughout the season. As a fungicide, copper sulfate can be replaced with iron sulfate, this substance has a similar effect on fungi.

As a fertilizer, the substance is replaced with complex ready-made fertilizers with a high copper content. If you need to add only this element, especially when its deficiency is pronounced, it is best to use copper chelate, in which it is presented in the most assimilable form by plants.

Copper vitriol is actively used as an antiseptic and antifungal agent, which always gives the expected result. We can say that for the treatment of bark from fungi and pests, this drug is indispensable.Despite the large selection of synthetic fungicides, gardeners continue to use it because the substance is easy to use, inexpensive, easy to buy at a gardening store, and has a long shelf life.

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