Quite often, many gardeners have a question about what is the best way to use preparations and means for fertilizing and processing beds with cucumbers. In this article, you will learn how to use a solution of milk with iodine for spraying cucumbers and how this procedure affects plants.

Is it possible to water cucumbers with milk with iodine?

Today, for feeding and other treatments of cultivated plants, a whole list of highly active chemicals is widely used. However, for many decades before their invention, farmers used folk methods of protecting and fertilizing plants. They were based on all kinds of mixtures of readily available and common substances that differ in instant reaction with living tissues (table salt, ammonia, soap solution, ash, etc.).

One of such means is the traditionally popular combination of milk and the most popular antiseptic - iodine. In addition to the fact that such a tool has a beneficial effect on plants, when used correctly, it is completely harmless. Unlike modern preparations, the components of the mixture do not accumulate in plant tissues, which is important for obtaining a high-quality and safe crop.

Did you know? Iodine, as a chemical element, was discovered in 1811 by the French chemist Bernard Courtois. During experiments on the interaction of algae ash and sulfuric acid, the scientist received a brown precipitate with a sharp specific smell, which later became considered as a separate substance. Despite the existence of many conflicting opinions, the processing of cucumber plantings with this solution makes it possible to improve the metabolism of cucumbers and their immunity. Due to this, even on poor soils, the deficit of various substances is eliminated, which increases the yield of cucumbers up to 30%. It is also worth mentioning that such a drug is able to increase the immunity of plants and protect them from all kinds of pests and infections, and this is quite important in monoculture growing regions.

Advantages and disadvantages of folk remedies

• The main advantages of milk-iodine solution:
• complete harmlessness;
• to prepare the product, you can use sour milk or lactic acid products (low-fat kefir, yogurt);
• budgeting;
• high efficiency;
• the crop of plants sprayed with a solution does not need quarantine;
• the mixture can be used for spraying not only cucumbers, but also other fruit crops.

• There are few disadvantages of such a drug:
• not able to be stored for a long time;
• when uncontrolled use can cause burns to plants;
• not recommended for young seedlings or sprouts, as they often inhibit their growth.

The principle of the solution

Like a person, for the successful growth and development of a plant requires a huge amount of all kinds of amino acids and trace elements, including calcium, potassium, cuprum, ferum and phosphorus, which are rich in milk. Fertilizing with milk makes it possible to improve the fruiting of plants and the concentration of all kinds of vitamins in them, as well as enhance the effect of other fertilizing and means.

In turn, a pharmacy solution of iodine is a source of not only a valuable element, but also a highly effective antiseptic. Low concentrated solutions are able to protect plant tissues against damage by rot (root, stem, leaf) and bacterial infections. Since most of these pathologies are considered incurable or difficult to eliminate, spraying with iodine makes it possible to destroy dangerous microorganisms, even before damage to the tissue of the cucumber.

Do not forget that iodine solutions inhibit the growth and development of various parasites. It has not only specific aromatic properties, but also is able to destroy insect tissues. As a result, this makes it possible to eliminate dangerous parasites, which are often carriers of pathogens of infectious diseases.

The interaction of pharmacy iodine and milk in a complex solution makes it possible to have the widest possible effect on the plant. Sour milk derivatives and iodine compounds play a bactericidal and insecticidal role. They destroy dangerous microorganisms and parasites, which increases the overall immunity of the plant at times. In turn, trace elements, amino acids and vitamins from this solution contribute to the improvement of the physiological activity of cucumbers and their metabolism. Thanks to this, in just a few weeks you can achieve an instant increase in the aerial mass of plantations, as well as activation of fruiting.

Important! Only fresh milk is suitable for preparing top dressings; a boiled or pasteurized drink does not have useful qualities.

The recipe for the solution

Today, there are many recipes for all kinds of dressings and products based on dairy products and an alcoholic solution of iodine. The most versatile mixture is prepared from equal parts of fresh milk and settled water. 3 drops of iodine and 3 g of laundry soap are added to 1 liter of liquid. Fresh milk can be replaced with whey, which does its job worse than milk.

Widely used in vegetable growing and other dressings, based on dairy products and iodine. One of them is top dressing from yogurt. Prepare it, similar to the recipe described above, yogurt should be mixed with water (1: 1), then add 1 drop of iodine to 1 liter of such liquid. With abundant damage to plantations by insects or infections, the iodine concentration is increased to 1 ml / 1 l.

Important! During the preparation of the solution, the iodine concentration must be strictly observed, this substance is quite aggressive and can easily cause burns to plant tissues. Ordinary yeast can enhance the effectiveness of the milk-iodine preparation. They contain a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients, which, when combined, can enhance the effect on the tissue of plants of each of the components. To cook it, you need to dissolve 25 g of fresh yeast in 1 liter of fresh milk, heated to + 30 ° C and stand for about 12 hours in a warm place at +22 ... + 25 ° C. After the solution ferments well (white foam appears on the surface), the liquid should be diluted with 1 liter of milk, after which add 2 tbsp. l chopped wood ash and 5 drops of iodine solution.

Video: Milk and iodine from yellowing of cucumbers

The basic rules for processing cucumbers with milk and iodine

Long-term experience of gardeners proved that a favorable effect on milk solutions of milk with iodine is observed only if spraying is carried out according to a certain method. To do this, you need to study in detail the general rules for the use of fertilizers and protective preparations in modern crop production.

Find out how to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse if they do not grow or grow poorly.

But, if you do not have free time for this, when spraying cucumbers, you can successfully use the following rules:

• plants are sprayed whole, from all sides, including unripe fruits;
• the remains of the solution can be poured into the trunk circle, in which case it is possible to achieve a complex effect on all growth zones of the cucumber;
• treatment of plants is carried out only after rains, since the milk-iodide solution acts superficially and is not able to instantly penetrate into tissues;
• spraying is prohibited during direct sunlight of the bushes, as this is fraught with a decrease in the effectiveness of the procedure;
• apply milk-iodide mixtures regularly, while it is necessary to strictly observe the frequency between each procedure;
• in order to avoid the negative effect of the mixture on young seedlings of a cucumber, the milk-iodide solution is diluted twice with water.

How to water cucumbers with milk with iodine

Such solutions are used on the basis of general recommendations for spraying fruit crops with fertilizers and all kinds of protective equipment. In this case, it is necessary to distinguish between the use of milk-iodide solution for feeding, and for treatment against pests and diseases. Despite the fact that during the procedures the same mixture is used, the ways of its application are very different.

As a top dressing and protection

To regulate the nutrition of the stands, it is recommended to use the solution every 10-14 days, this mode will make it possible to optimize the mineral nutrition of the stands, as well as a quick increase in productivity. They use a preparation for root top dressing; for this, the upper soil layers are abundantly moistened with a milk-iodide solution. At the same time, it should be remembered that it is not worth fertilizing the soil directly around the stem. To do this, around each bush you need to make a small ring, at a distance of 10 cm, where nutrient fluid is directly poured.

The maximum efficiency of use is observed only if nutrients are introduced at a distance of about 10-15 cm from the zone of the plant’s exit from the soil. This is explained by the fact that in this zone a dense network of root branches develops, due to which nutrients instantly interact with the plant. The consumption of the drug per adult bush should be within 0.5 liters.

For prophylaxis against pests and infections, such top dressing is often combined with irrigation of the stem and foliage. For this, the amount of the drug used is increased to 1 liter. Thus, for spraying one adult plant, it is necessary to apply no more than 0.5 l of liquid.

For the treatment of diseases

To overcome a dangerous infection or pest, cucumber plantings are sprayed every 3-4 days, until the symptoms of the lesion disappear completely. All the aboveground part of the cucumbers, including the reverse side of the leaves and fruits, is subject to processing. However, spraying the stem of the root zone to a height of 10-15 cm above the soil level is not recommended, in order to avoid wilting of the entire bush. One treatment procedure for an adult bush requires about 0.5 l of solution.

Did you know? The homeland of the cucumber is officially considered the Hindustan Peninsula, including the foot of the Himalayas. Despite the fact that the species was domesticated about 6 thousand years ago, to this day you can meet its wild species on this territory.

Useful tips for processing cucumbers

When processing plantings, both folk remedies and chemical preparations, in order to increase the effectiveness of the procedure, it is advised to adhere to the following recommendations:

• spraying of plants is carried out only in cool time, it is best for this early morning or late evening;
• if after spraying the rains have passed, the treatment is repeated, since the rains almost completely wash away any solutions from the surface of the plants;
• to avoid burns of young plants, spraying with solutions should be carried out only when they reach phase 5 of these leaves;
• in order to avoid intoxication of bushes, mixing of various plant protection products is prohibited;
• after processing the bushes for 24 hours, watering and irrigation of the beds is prohibited, during which time the introduced substances will completely react with the environment and plants;
• processing of bushes begins from the bottom, moving to the top, this greatly simplifies the procedure and increases its effectiveness.

Today, milk-iodine spraying is one of the simplest and most effective methods for improving the yield and quality of cucumber fruits. In addition, using this method, you can resist specific infections of the culture, which makes it possible to grow cucumber in a monoculture for several years. Use the recommendations described above and you will be completely protected from the use of harmful chemical plant protection products on the site.