Strawberry Processing

Copper sulfate is one of the most common and affordable means used in many areas of the national economy. This tool is actively used to prevent plant diseases, the development of mold and to combat insect pests. It is used to treat many crops, and in particular for strawberries, which are especially often exposed to pathogenic microorganisms. In the article we will talk about what constitutes copper sulfate, and how to apply it in a complex of agrotechnical measures in order to collect a rich berry crop.

What is copper sulfate

Copper sulfate, or copper sulfate (chalcianite, butite, chalcanthite) has the form of a powder or crystals of a bright blue color. The substance is readily soluble in alcohol, a solution of hydrogen chloride and water. When it enters a liquid, it attaches water molecules and passes into the crystalline hydrate of copper sulfate or, as its aqueous solution is called, copper sulfate. Upon loss of moisture, the substance crystallizes, turning into a powder having a white or grayish color.

Due to its antibacterial properties and availability, copper sulfate is widely used in household plots.

The versatility and good antiseptic properties determined the use of copper sulfate in many areas: chemical and food industries, construction, crop production, alternative medicine, animal husbandry, and veterinary medicine.

Did you know? With copper ultrafate used even in ancient India and Greece. With its help, ear and eye diseases, skin diseases were treated, and inflammation was removed from the tonsils.

Can strawberries be treated with copper sulfate

In order to get a good strawberry crop, it is recommended that a number of agricultural activities be carried out that will help prevent various diseases and insect damage. The use of the product during spring treatment and autumn preparation for winter will help to avoid the damage that crawling insects and various microorganisms can cause.

In order for the fragrant berry to bear fruit abundantly, proper care is necessary, in which preventive measures with the use of the drug as an alternative to expensive drugs take not the last place

It is recommended to use copper sulfate when growing strawberries in the following cases:

  • for soil disinfection;
  • for processing seedlings;
  • for fertilizing plants, especially with copper deficiency;
  • in a complex of spring agricultural techniques;
  • in the preparation of strawberry bushes for the winter.

Application features

In household plots, solutions of various concentrations are prepared, which are strictly adhered to in order to avoid damage to crops:

  • 0.5–2% solution - to prevent damage to the rhizome and the green part by insects and pathogenic bacteria;
  • 0.5–1% solution - for the prevention of infection of beds with mold and fungus (for this purpose, from 50 to 100 g of substance are diluted in 10 l of water);
  • 0.2–0.3% solution - for fertilizing plants and feeding them.

Important! Soil treatment with copper sulfate is recommended to be carried out depending on the composition of the soil. Peat and sand can be fertilized annually, loamy and other, more rich in copper - every 3 - 5 years.

In addition, copper sulfate is part of other solutions in combination with other minerals (except fungicides).

If twisting of leaves or excessive tillering with a decrease in ovaries is observed, 20 to 30 g of copper sulfate is dissolved in 10 l of water.

This solution is also a good prophylactic, the treatment of which helps protect plants from:

  • ashtrays;
  • ramulariosis;
  • scabs;
  • rhizoctonia;
  • slobbers, hookworms, pennies and other pests.

Autumn in preparation for winter

Autumn processing of strawberries with a solution of copper sulfate helps prevent the occurrence of powdery mildew, late blight, late blight and spotting.

Preparing the bushes for winter includes:

  • removal of leaves and weeds;
  • top dressing with diluted manure with the addition of iron sulfate;
  • spraying with a 0.3% solution of iron sulfate;
  • warming strawberries with lutrasil.

In autumn, it is also recommended to use a solution of copper sulfate, which is an excellent micronutrient. If there is a shortage of copper in the soil, beds are cast at the rate of 1 liter per 1 m². For this purpose, 5 to 10 g of the substance are dissolved in 10 l of heated water.

Did you know? The most expensive strawberry dish is served in one of America's restaurants. It consists of: strawberries, cream, mint leaves and a golden ring with a large diamond. Such a delicacy is worth $ 1.4 million.

In the spring

Spring treatment of strawberries must include spraying with an aqueous solution of copper sulfate. It is important to do this before the buds open.

To get the best possible result, you need to know in which cases you should treat the plantings and what concentration is needed:

  1. For spraying, a 1% concentration of the substance is most often used. In a ten-liter capacity, 100 g of crystals are dissolved. First, the entire norm of the mineral is dissolved in 1/4 of the heated water (+60 ... + 70 ° C), after which it is brought to the desired volume with hot water.
  2. Strawberry bushes are not processed in bright and burning sun. The weather should be dry, cloudy and calm. If rain is predicted, spraying should be carried out at least 3 hours before it begins.
  3. Fix the result of processing after 7-14 days.
  4. Recommended consumption of the finished solution: 10 liters per 25-30 bushes or 1 liter per 1 m² of area with a single spray.
  5. The finished solution has a pale blue color.

A softer effect on plants has a mixture of vitriol with calcium oxide (lime) in a ratio of 1: 1 (the so-called Bordeaux mixture). In spring, it is recommended to process just such a solution for processing strawberries. To prepare the Bordeaux mixture take 150 g of lime and copper sulfate. In order to avoid precipitation, it is recommended to separate both substances separately in two five-liter containers, after which, while stirring, pour copper sulfate dissolved in water with a thin stream into the milk of lime.

We advise you to read about processing strawberries from pests and diseases.

It is recommended to process the purchased seedlings before planting in order to prevent infection of the soil and healthy plants.

The treatment of strawberry seedlings with a solution of copper sulfate helps to avoid the occurrence of late blight:

  • immediately before planting plants on the beds;
  • 2 weeks after disembarkation;
  • at the first sign of late blight;
  • if damp and warm weather is kept for several days (frequent rains and air temperature within +20 ... + 25 ° С).

How to handle

The use of copper sulfate will be safe and effective if you are guided by the following rules:

  1. Processing crops should be in cool time, the optimum temperature is +3 ... + 5 ° С. This is best done in the early morning or evening. It is good if the weather is cloudy and calm.
  2. Bordeaux mixture is recommended for spring processing.
  3. In autumn, it is better to use copper sulfate.

Important! The copper sulfate solution can be stored without restrictions, so it is not necessary to use it immediately.

Copper sulfate is a poison of the second class of danger. Its use requires special precautions:

  • strictly adhere to the recommended concentration when mixing to avoid burns to plants;
  • process beds in protective clothing, and protect hands with rubber gloves;
  • wear eye protection to prevent contact with eyes;
  • use a respirator if possible;
  • if the product comes into contact with the skin, immediately wash the affected areas with a large amount of soapy water or clean water;
  • if the drug enters the mucous membrane of the eye, rinse them under running water in the open state, after processing it is recommended to thoroughly wash your face and hands with soap.

If copper sulfate enters the gastrointestinal tract in a concentrated or dry form, it can lead to severe poisoning and chemical burns. To avoid serious consequences, you must:

  • rinse the victim’s stomach with 0.1% potassium permanganate;
  • induce vomiting;
  • drink 1-2 tbsp. l magnesium sulfate or other saline laxative;
  • you can drink several egg yolks or 250-300 g of milk;
  • take activated carbon at the rate of 0.5 g per 1 kg of body weight.

If a toxic substance enters the body when sprayed through the respiratory system, you should immediately:

  • take the victim out to the street or open the windows, give fresh air access;
  • rinse the wings of the nose;
  • rinse mouth thoroughly with water.

Read also about the use of boric acid for strawberries during flowering.

Contraindications

  • The preparation of a solution of copper sulfate and its use has a number of contraindications associated with its properties:
  • It is impossible to spray flowering strawberries with a solution.
  • It is not recommended to process strawberries if the air temperature exceeds + 30 ° C.
  • You can not use the drug with an expired shelf life.
  • It is forbidden to mix the substance in food utensils, as well as in metal.
  • When working with the drug, you should not drink, eat, smoke.
  • Do not mix butite with other pesticides. An exception are drugs that contain sulfur (they are even recommended to be mixed for the preparation of tank mixtures).
  • It is forbidden to store the substance in close proximity to food or medicinal substances.

Strawberry is a capricious berry that requires constant care and a number of preventive measures. In order to avoid the various diseases that this crop is particularly susceptible to and to get a good harvest, you can use a variety of means. Using high-quality modern drugs, of course, will help to achieve a good result. But you can use time-tested available substances, such as copper sulfate.

Read also our e-magazine on strawberry cultivation.

With the correct preparation and timely processing of strawberries with this drug, it is possible to reliably protect seedlings and adult plants from pests and the action of pathogenic microorganisms without extra costs.

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