Greenhouse conditions become ideal not only for the development of plants planted in the ground, but also for various infections. Disinfection of greenhouses and greenhouses helps reduce the likelihood of the spread of diseases. Let's consider the benefits and possible harm of a sulfur bomb for a polycarbonate greenhouse, the principle of its operation, timing of use in spring and autumn, rules of use and safety.
The benefits and harms of sulfur bombs for greenhouses
What does the treatment of a polycarbonate greenhouse give:
- disinfection of walls and ceilings, structure foundations, soil surfaces;
- smoke penetrates into all cracks, that is, into all hard-to-reach places where liquid solutions cannot get;
- 1-2 treatments will be required for complete disinfection.
The product also has disadvantages:
- sulfur bomb smoke is toxic and can cause poisoning if safety precautions are not followed;
- After many treatments, the greenhouse material becomes cloudy and small cracks appear on it;
- structures made of metal are damaged;
- sulfurous acid, one of the components of smoke, destroys all bacteria, not only harmful ones, and negatively affects the soil.
Fumigation of a polycarbonate greenhouse cannot be carried out shortly before planting plants in it, which limits the period of use of the sulfur bomb.
Mechanism of operation
Sulfur blocks are produced in the form of tablets (5-10 pieces in a package), which contain 750 g of active ingredient per kg of product. Once ignited, they begin to smolder and emit smoke, which contains sulfurous anhydrite and sulfurous acid. Poisons kill microorganisms and pests and repel rodents.
Smoke envelops the walls of the room and internal structures, disinfecting them. After treatment, pests, bacteria, and viruses die even in the most inaccessible places. That is, a complete disinfection of the room is achieved, which is unattainable with the help of other chemicals.
Terms of use and instructions for use
The greenhouse is treated with sulfur 1 or 2 times a year, at the beginning or end of the growing season - in spring or autumn, that is, when there are no plants in it. It is unacceptable to fumigate when the seedlings or seeds have already been planted or during the growing season. Sulfur can burn leaves and plants will be lost.
Fumigation is carried out in an empty greenhouse, without strangers.Before starting work, you need to prepare it: remove all unnecessary things that may interfere with the free spread of smoke. Close all cracks where smoke can leak into the street. Lightly moisten the polycarbonate surface with water.
Place a block in the middle of the greenhouse or place several at equal distances from each other on a hard surface: brick, cinder block, metal plate. To ignite, use paper and a wick. Kerosene and explosive gasoline are prohibited. After setting fire, exit the greenhouse and close the door tightly. Staying inside is strictly prohibited.
The effects of sulfur smoke persist not only on the day of fumigation, but also over the next 2-3 days. Then the greenhouse needs to be ventilated.
in spring
At the beginning of the season, you should use a sulfur bomb at least 2 weeks before planting seedlings. Therefore, the start time of work is calculated in accordance with what crop will be grown.
But the following conditions must also be taken into account: the air temperature must not be lower than 10 ºС, the soil must dry to a depth of 10 cm. The soil should not be wet so that sulfurous acid cannot enter the soil, where it will negatively affect soil bacteria.
in autumn
Autumn treatment of a polycarbonate greenhouse with a sulfur bomb is carried out after the harvest has been harvested and all plant debris has been removed. Just like in the spring, you need to focus on the air temperature in order to have time to process before the onset of cold weather and frost.
You need to fumigate the greenhouse until the tablets are completely burned, this may take 1-1.5 hours. The calculation of the number of tablets is carried out depending on the volume of the greenhouse and is 50-150 mg per cubic meter. m.
Safety regulations
When handling a smoke bomb, you must strictly observe safety precautions - the smoke is poisonous to animals and humans. First of all, you need to take care of protecting your respiratory organs and eyes, wear a respirator and goggles. If you inhale smoke, immediately get out into fresh air.
Is it necessary to wash the greenhouse after a sulfur bomb?
This is not necessary; on the contrary, it is recommended to leave everything as is for the best effect. 2 days after ventilation, you need to inspect the walls of the greenhouse; if there was mold on them, it should soften. In this state it is easy to clean off surfaces.
To restore the soil after exposure to sulfur smoke, add biological preparations containing beneficial bacteria or organic matter in which they are also present.
Fumigation of a polycarbonate greenhouse with a sulfur bomb is used in spring or autumn as a means of disinfection. It is especially effective when it is necessary to destroy pests or pathogens of bacterial infections, mold, fungi, which often affect greenhouse plants and can be resistant to folk and chemical remedies.
Sulfur bombs are used after growing the same crop in a polycarbonate greenhouse for several seasons in a row, when the likelihood of pathogens multiplying increases. With timely treatment of the premises from pests and pathogens, the chances of secondary infection are significantly reduced. This helps protect future crops from death or partial reduction in yield.
