Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

The need to use blue vitriol for grapes is perceived by experienced gardeners as a good alternative to using more aggressive chemicals. Processing in the right proportions in spring, autumn and summer allows you to protect the vine from diseases and pests without disturbing its growth. About why copper sulfate is needed, how to dilute it for spraying a vineyard, it is worth talking in more detail.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Why process?

Seasonal processing of grapes with copper sulfate is included in the list of measures necessary to maintain a healthy vine. This is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to protect plants from harmful fungal diseases and pests. Plants are sprayed with copper sulphate in horticulture, they are watered on poor clay and sandy soils. Cuttings or chibouks also feel better during storage if they are first dipped in a 4% solution of this substance.

For a vineyard not located on chernozem soils, the problem of copper shortage always remains relevant. By spraying plants with preparations based on this substance, one can easily solve the problem of eliminating the deficiency that has arisen.

Copper sulphate refers to water-soluble forms, is well absorbed, but does not penetrate into the fruit. With its shortage, plants slow down their development, stop bearing fruit, and may wither.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Processing with copper sulphate is necessary for grapes, as it performs several functions.

  1. Top dressing. Compensating for the lack of nutrients, it is possible to ensure the maintenance of high plant immunity.
  2. Sanitation. The use of copper sulfate allows you to treat the vine from fungal diseases, parasitic infections.
  3. Disease prevention. Pre-treatment can provide the best conditions for planting and cultivating young vines.
  4. Increasing soil fertility. In this case, the solution is poured under the root or the soil is processed before planting the vine.

Top dressing with copper sulphate is traditionally needed for soils that have a predominance of peat or sand and clay in the composition. When using this substance, be sure to strictly follow the recommendations for its dosing.

Copper sulphate is effective in combating plant diseases such as scab, powdery mildew, mycosis, white or brown spot.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

How to breed?

It is possible to properly prepare a solution of copper sulfate for spraying, strictly observing the proportions and dosage of the substance. An aqueous suspension does not require a high concentration of the active substance. It will be enough to dilute the product in the proportion of 50 g per 1 liter of liquid. This is the highest concentration, suitable only for the autumn sanitation of the old vine. For spring prophylaxis, 1 g of solution per 1 liter of water is enough; a suspension with a 3% content of copper sulphate is suitable for the destruction of fungus and diseases.

When preparing the preparation for irrigation, it is very important to use glass, non-oxidizing dishes. Iron and plastic may react with the drug. In warm water, the crystalline blue powder dissolves better – this is worth considering.

It is necessary to prepare a suspension of copper sulfate immediately before spraying or root application – in contact with air, the substance quickly loses its effectiveness.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Instructions for use

You can process the vine with copper sulfate in the spring, summer or autumn months, depending on the purpose of fertilizing. It is worth carefully choosing the period in which the impact will be performed. For example, if you spray a solution on the leaves in the summer heat, they are more likely to be burned. In case of an urgent need for sanitation, the solution is simply diluted more strongly – this measure avoids problems, but reduces the fungicidal effectiveness of the drug.

Copper sulfate is best applied in the form of fine drops sprayed onto the affected areas of the vine. For these purposes, a special tank with a spray is used. Hand sprayers are convenient when processing small areas. In large vineyards, backpack models with an increased tank capacity are more effective.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

When processing copper sulfate, it is important to pay attention to the thoroughness of spraying. When destroying the fungus and treating diseases, at least 1,5 liters of suspension should be sprayed on each large shoot of grapes. The entire bush will require from 4 to 5 liters of a 3% solution. In the absence of a sprayer at hand, copper sulfate can be applied to the vine using a short broom made of thin rods. In this case, you should refuse to use a watering can – too large drops will burn the leaves.

If top dressing is performed, it is recommended to isolate the soil under the bush from possible contact with the chemical used. To do this, the surface of the soil is lined with a film, which is then removed.

It is important to follow the correct procedure: start spraying from the top of the bush, gradually moving to the shoots of the lower tier. The trunk and supports are processed last. When performing work, keep the sprayer at a distance of 20 cm, directing its mouthpiece from the bottom up.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

In the autumn

Autumn processing of grapes with copper sulphate is considered one of the most important and significant throughout the year. An old vine, before sheltering for the winter, needs full protection from fungi and parasites in the soil, as well as from their spores spread through the air. It is carried out after the bush completely sheds its leaves. For the southern regions, this period begins at the end of November; in the middle lane, the last spraying with copper sulphate falls on the third decade of October.

Before processing the vine is carefully inspected. If necessary, dry, severely affected areas are trimmed. The remains of withered foliage are removed from the branches, raked from the ground.

If they are left, larvae of insect pests can easily appear in rotting organic matter, looking for a convenient place to winter.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Before spraying in autumn, bare branches are tied into bundles. Then, a 5% solution of copper sulphate is sprayed onto each such structure. Since there are no leaves in autumn, the concentration can be quite high.

Before sending the cuttings for storage, it is also recommended to spray them or simply dip the root part in a solution of copper sulfate. Such preventive measures are not superfluous at all, especially when you consider that it is young chibouks that are most susceptible to fungal diseases. Weakened immunity does not allow them to effectively resist external threats. Neglect of sanitation will lead to the fact that the plants may simply die.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

In the spring

Preventive spring treatment should be carried out as early as possible. The optimal time will be when the vine has not yet thrown out the kidneys. During this period, the sanitary measures taken are the most effective. After the buds open, it is no longer possible to use copper sulfate. It is recommended to set the processing time by waiting for the average daily temperature to be above +5 degrees Celsius.

Spring and any other seasonal spraying should be carried out in dry and clear weather. If immediately after applying the drug it is washed away by rain, such measures will not bring benefits. All copper sulphate will enter the soil, oversaturating it with chemicals.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

When processing grapes in the spring, the correct procedure should be followed.

  1. Covering material is removed from the vine.
  2. Branches rise above the soil surface. They are attached to trellises that were installed in advance or left over from last year.
  3. For 2-3 days the vine is left to dry in the sun. This will allow the plant to prepare for further awakening.
  4. After the specified time, a solution of copper sulfate is prepared. Enough 1% concentration. The drug is used immediately, it is not subject to storage.

When choosing the time for the first treatment, it is important to take into account regional climatic features. In central Russia, this period begins in the third decade of March. In the south, spraying should be done at the end of February or a little later. For Siberia and the Urals, the processing time is postponed to the beginning of April, earlier the vine simply cannot be released from the shelter due to the high risks of freezing.

If at the beginning of spring it was not possible to spray with copper sulfate, it can be done later – before flowering. The main goals of treatment in this case will be to protect the stalks from fungal infections and decay, to increase the immunity of the plant, its resistance to parasitic infection. Spraying is carried out according to the standard scheme, from top to bottom, the props are also carefully covered with the drug – they often become sources of the spread of bacterial infections.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Spring is a good time to top dress the vines if needed. The lack of copper will be reported by the pallor and uneven color of the leaves, weakness and thinning of the shoots. For root dressing, a suspension of copper sulphate at a concentration of 1% is used.

Lettom

During the summer heat, any treatment is not recommended. But this time is favorable for the development and spread of grape diseases. If the damage to the vine is visible to the naked eye, it is necessary to choose a dry period for spraying. Basically, a solution at a concentration of 0,5% is used for summer processing, but if the presence of oidium, lichens is detected, the proportions will have to be increased to 30 g of copper sulfate per 1 liter of water. Spraying is carried out in the evening, in calm, cloudless weather.

If the spring terms for applying root dressing with copper-containing preparations were missed, it can be done in July. After the appearance of signs of a deficiency of this element in the soil, a solution should be prepared at a concentration of 0,2-0,3%.

A suspension of copper sulphate is introduced into the soil in a foliar way so as not to harm the plant.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Safety regulations

Copper sulphate is a toxic substance, for which quite strict requirements are imposed. Be sure to observe the exact concentration of substances, without changing the dosage at your discretion. At the same time, it is important not to forget about the rules of personal safety.

  1. When working with chemicals, whether it is preparing a solution or spraying it, care must be taken to protect the body, hands and feet. Clothing should be as closed as possible, it is better to put on rubber boots or galoshes on your feet, protect your body with a raincoat or work dressing gown.
  2. Rubberized (dousing) or nitrile gloves are mandatory put on hands. It is impossible to dose copper sulphate without means of protection. After work, even with gloves, hands must be washed with soap and water.
  3. In the process of spraying the plant, the hair must be protected with a headdress or hood, respiratory organs – with a respirator or an individual mask that prevents the inhalation of small drops of the solution. The eyes are protected with special goggles.
  4. It is forbidden to spray copper sulphate and compositions based on it in windy weather. This increases the likelihood of contact with the aqueous dispersion of the solution, which may be hazardous to health.
  5. In warm periods of the year, early morning or evening hours are selected for spraying. This will avoid evaporation of the solution before it penetrates into the plant organs. In addition, during the day you can tritely harm the plant – the leaves will simply burn.
  6. Skin contact copper sulfate, especially in high concentrations, can cause burns because it contains sulfuric acid. If contact nevertheless occurred, you should thoroughly wash the area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe body with soap and treat with an antiseptic. If irritation or burns occur, seek medical attention.
  7. When washing off the solution with rain, the treatment should not be repeated earlier than after 4 weeks. In this case, it is impossible to control the absorption of copper, and its excess in the soil is no less dangerous than its deficiency.

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Treatment of grapes with copper sulphate

Given all the safety rules, you can use copper sulfate when processing vineyards without risking your own health and plant safety.

For information on how to process grapes with copper sulfate, see the following video.

Anna Evans

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