Copper sulfate is known to gardeners as a good antiseptic and antifungal agent. It is accessible and cheap, effective, despite the fact that it is far from a new drug. Let's consider treating the soil with copper sulfate before planting, why it is done, and how to prepare the solution. How to treat soil and plants in the garden, vegetables, and greenhouses with it. How to adhere to safety precautions.
Why do you need to treat the soil with copper sulfate?
The substance is used to disinfect soil and tree bark from various infections and fungi. In addition, copper, an element necessary for plant development, enters the soil. The application of copper is especially useful in peatlands where copper deficiency is observed.
Application in early spring or mid-autumn controls pests that overwinter under the bark and overwintering pathogens. Cleaning the soil of spores and bacteria helps reduce the number of pathogens of root rot and other diseases whose carriers are in the ground.
Traditionally, vitriol solution is used to disinfect the internal structures of greenhouses from disease spores and pests hiding in them that have accumulated over the season.
Preparation of working solution
There are 2 types of copper sulfate solution for processing: 3% and 1%. The first is used for processing trees and soil, the second is used for processing green plants. To obtain a 3% concentration, you need to dilute 300 g of powder in 10 liters; to obtain a liquid of 1% concentration, you need to dilute 100 g per 10 liters. To water the soil, prepare a solution of 5 g of powder per 10 liters of water.
How to treat the ground with copper sulfate
In different cases, a fungicidal agent is used with different concentrations. Their method of application is also different.
For soil
A solution of a fungicidal agent is applied to the soil in the beds in the fall, after complete harvesting of the crop and plant residues. Application in the garden will be as follows: you need to dig up the beds, as usual, break up the clods and level them, moisten the soil from a watering can, spending per square meter. m. 10 liters of product.
For garden
A 3% solution is used to spray tree trunks and branches. It is carried out in early spring, when the buds have not yet blossomed. Do not spray on green leaves; burns may occur. If you spray later than necessary, it will no longer be useful; the pests will have time to emerge from under the bark and spread throughout the plant. Reapply in the fall when the leaves fall from the trees, but before the cold weather sets in.
Vegetables
Disinfection of plants with vitriol solution is carried out at the initial signs of the disease. Use a weak 1% solution. Plants are wetted with a sprayer until their leaves become wet.
For the greenhouse
Spraying of the greenhouse is done before the start of cultivation or at the end of the season, during the preparation of the structure for winter. The greenhouse is cleaned of remnants of vegetation, repaired, cracks are closed and damage is repaired. Wash glass, film or polycarbonate with water and dry. In places where mold is found, it is cleaned off and coated with a concentrated solution of vitriol. Wooden structures and the surface of the walls are treated with a 3% solution.
How to protect yourself
Copper sulfate, when it comes into contact with the skin in dry or liquid form, leads to irritation. To minimize contact with the drug, you need to wear gloves on your hands when preparing the solution and when spraying. Wear thick clothing, goggles and a respirator. Carry out disinfection at a temperature of 5-20 °C.After completing the work, wash your hands with soap, rinse your mouth, and rinse the solution from your skin.
Do not pour the remaining solution onto the ground near water sources. It is forbidden to use a more concentrated liquid than needed for application, otherwise you can burn the leaves and young stems - the plants will either slow down or die.
Copper sulfate is a reliable disinfectant for treating trees and shrubs against wintering pests. Destroys pathogens in the soil and on the surfaces of utility buildings: greenhouses, cellars, sheds. It is widely used both in private farms and in the agricultural industry as one of the powerful, simple and effective fungicides.
