Grapes are a widespread crop in horticulture. This shrub with tasty and healthy berries is grown in the southern regions of the country. At the same time, the plant is quite whimsical to the effects of the external environment, especially in early spring. Various pests and microorganisms also have a negative effect on the growth and ripening of berries. To combat them, the treatment of grapes with iron sulfate (ferrous sulfate) and other solutions is used.

Spraying grapes - benefits

A good harvest can only be obtained if the bushes are healthy and provided with all the necessary trace elements. Today there are a large number of fertilizers, fungicides and insecticidal preparations. But for many decades, copper and iron sulfate have occupied a worthy place in the process of growing and caring for this plant.

Ferrous sulfate is a salt formed by the reaction of sulfuric acid and ferrous iron. This sulfate in its usual state is a crystalline salt of greenish or turquoise color.

It is important to remember that ferrous sulfate differs from copper sulfate both in chemical composition and in the way it affects plants. Spraying with them is two completely different processes that have different goals.

Processing stages

Pollination of plants with this preparation is traditionally carried out in two stages:

Treatment of grape bushes with iron sulfate in the spring, before buds are formed. Spraying is carried out immediately after the onset of warm days. The cover layer is removed and sprayed thoroughly.

The spring procedure is characterized by a lower concentration of vitriol.

Iron vitriol is useful for grapes in the fall. At the end of the vegetative period, when the processes freeze, prevention is carried out. In both cases, both the vine and the ground around the bush are sprayed. Spraying the surrounding area is necessary to prevent the development of microorganisms. Poor harvesting of leaves leads to the creation of excellent conditions for the vital activity of bacteria. In this case, a nutrient medium for them is formed in the decaying particles.

Both spraying is necessary to maintain the optimal amount of iron in the plant and protect against microorganisms. But there are still some peculiarities.

Spring treatment - frost protection

Grapes are a thermophilic crop that is very sensitive to changes in temperature. In spring, if the weather is warm and sunny, plants "wake up" from hibernation. But in spring the weather is often deceiving. After warm days, late frosts can hit, which will have a detrimental effect on already formed kidneys. In this case, the vine will freeze, which will reduce hopes for a good harvest, or even lead to the death of the bush.

Spraying of grape bushes in spring with iron sulfate, is carried out before the appearance of swollen buds and leaves. This allows a film to form on the surface of the vine. This film delays the germination period of the buds by about two weeks, which makes it possible to tolerate temperature changes without loss.

Treatment of grape cuttings with iron vitriol can be very useful. Before planting the bushes, the upper part of the cuttings is exposed to a weak solution with a concentration of 0.5-1%. This allows you to slow down the development of the kidneys for several days. At the same time, small young roots are formed in the lower part. Such cuttings take root and germinate better in spring.

Important! This remedy, unlike many others, does not have a toxic effect on the human body. All work can be carried out without the use of personal protective equipment. In contact with skin or eyes, it is easily washed off with water.

Ferrous sulfate use as fertilizer

The presence of a sufficient amount of various microelements is a prerequisite for a good harvest. Among them, the gland is assigned one of the most important roles.

Due to the insufficient amount of iron, all vegetative processes in plants freeze. The growth of new shoots decreases, the leaves turn yellow. Normal concentration assists in the active production of chlorophyll. This, in turn, promotes the accumulation of nutrients. As a result, we get healthy plants, the brushes increase and the yield increases.

Most often, iron deficiency is associated with the characteristics of the soil. Alkaline lands are traditionally poor in this element. Also, a thoughtlessly abundant amount of potash fertilizers affects the concentration of this trace element. Iron, when interacting with potassium, forms insoluble salts that cannot be absorbed by plants.

Fertilizing the soil with this agent increases the concentration of iron. It is in an unbound, dissolved state and is very well absorbed by plants.

Important! Spraying should be carried out before bud break and leaves appear. Contact with the solution on already green leaves can cause chemical burns. These consequences are also fraught with the preparation of too concentrated a solution.

Insecticidal properties

Grapes are also susceptible to infestation by various insects and their larvae. Whether or not vitriol is effective in pest control, there have been heated debates for a long time. However, experienced gardeners do not refuse this remedy. Processing of trunks and near the bush space ensures the death of almost half of the eggs laid by pests.

Fungicidal properties

A large number of diseases caused by various microorganisms are dangerous for grapes. Among them, the most common are spotted necrosis. Microorganisms prek
rasno develop in the grape bark. The nutrient medium is also the remnants of last year's leaves, unharvested brushes.

Most often, special fungicides are used to combat them. The use of this remedy for the prevention of such diseases also found its admirers. This drug creates an acidic environment in which many known microorganisms die.

Also, this remedy is used for the defeat of the bark of bushes with various types of mosses and lichens. Spraying with a concentrated solution allows you to rid the trunks of shrubs from gray rot and other pest colonies.

Autumn processing

After the entire mass of leaves wither and fall off, you can carry out an off-season spraying. It is an important prophylactic agent aimed at combating pests and pathogenic microorganisms. The whole process is identical to the processing in the spring. The difference may be in the concentration of the solution used.

For processing, you need to choose a dry, windless day. It is advisable that there is no rain in the near future, since the preparation is easily washed off with water.

Iron vitriol for processing grapes. How to breed correctly.

• For processing in the spring after removing the covering layer - 0.5-1%.
• To combat microorganisms (mildew, oidium, etc.) - 4-5% concentration.
• Against mosses, lichens - 3%.
• As microfertilizers for foliar feeding - 0.1-0.2%.
• For the treatment of chlorosis - 0.05%.
• For autumn processing, before covering for the winter - 3-5%.

With all the variety of modern means, available and proven ferrous sulfate is indispensable in the arsenal of any gardener.