5 reasons to use iron vitriol for vineyards

Description and mechanism of action of the drug

Iron sulfate is a by-product of the processing of wire or metal sheets with sulfuric acid. Under the influence of sulfuric acid on the metal, a solution of ferrous sulfate is formed. The by-product, which is a bluish green transparent crystals, is odorless. The distinctive features of iron sulfate are called low toxicity, good solubility in water and the ability to oxidize in air. The drug is characterized by a low degree of decomposition under the influence of high temperature conditions.

Iron vitriol is used to protect cultivated plants from harmful insects and pathogens of various diseases. The use of iron sulfate solution in viticulture prevents the development of spotted necrosis, bacterial cancer and mildew disease. When spraying the drug, a protective film is formed on the surface of the vine. In this case, the active substance remains on the bark, without penetrating into the plant. The active substance neutralizes on its own after 14 days.

Video "The use of iron sulfate in the garden and in the garden"

In this video, experts tell you how to use ferrous sulfate to protect cultivated plants.

Benefits of processing with iron sulfate

The benefits of using ferrous sulfate in vineyards include:

• destruction of pathogens;
• active fight against chlorosis;
• an increase in the atoms of the active substance in the soil;
• soil enrichment with useful and nutritious microelements.

Timing of spraying the vineyard

The treatment of the vineyard with a solution of ferrous sulfate is carried out twice a season - in spring and autumn. The day should be warm, fine and sunny. Spraying vines in wet and rainy weather is considered ineffective, since the active substance is washed off along with the raindrops.

In the spring

The first processing of the vineyard is carried out in early spring, when nature is just beginning to wake up after winter. Late spring frosts are dangerous for fruit crops. The formed buds can freeze, which will negatively affect fruiting and yield. Spraying the vine with a solution of vitriol increases the vitality of the plants and protects against an unexpected drop in air temperature.

The procedure is carried out before the start of active sap flow. To prepare a solution of 0.5% concentration, you need to dilute 50 g of the powdery substance in a bucket of water.

In autumn

The second treatment is a preventive measure for plant protection.It is carried out at the end of the harvest, when the last grape leaves have fallen. The optimal timing for spraying the vineyard is from mid-October to early November.

For the treatment of young plants, a 3% solution of ferrous sulfate is used (300 g of the drug is taken for 10 liters of water). But for spraying "age" shrubs, it is better to use a solution of higher concentration - 5%. In 10 liters of water, you need to dilute 500 g of iron sulfate crystals.

Concentration and solution preparation

The form of release of ferrous sulfate is a crystal-like powder of a bluish-green hue. The volume of one package is 150 g. For the treatment of horticultural and horticultural crops, the powder is converted into a solution. For preventive spraying of the vineyard, 150 g of powder should be dissolved in 10 liters of water.

According to the instructions for use, the drug should be diluted based on the purpose of its use:

1. Destruction of pathogens and harmful microorganisms - 450 g of powder per bucket of water.
2. Treatment of plants from moss and lichens - 300 g of ferrous sulfate per 10 liters of water.
3. Active fight against chlorosis that has spread in the vineyard - 5 g of ferrous sulfate per bucket of water.
4. Carrying out root feeding during the preparation of plants for wintering - 100 g vitriol per 1 m².
5. Implementation of foliar top dressing on the crown with a lack of iron - 15–20 g of substance per bucket of water.

Application for vineyards

There are several methods of using ferrous sulfate in viticulture. Let's consider the most effective options for processing fruit crops.

Top dressing

The yield of grapes depends on the amount of micro- and macro-nutrients present in the soil. Lack of iron inhibits the growth and development of plants.

Root feeding of cultivated plants will help to increase the fertility of the substrate. For feeding grapes, a solution of ferrous sulfate with a concentration of 0.1–0.2% is used. Dissolve 1-2 g of the drug in 1 liter of water. If signs of chlorosis are detected, the concentration of the solution is increased to 0.5%.

Pest control

Vineyards are often attacked by leaf rollers, ticks, cicadas, worms, woodworms and other harmful insects. To protect fruit crops from invasions of parasites, a 5% solution of ferrous sulfate is used. Re-spraying is carried out after 7-10 days.

Spraying the vineyard with crystals of ferrous sulfate diluted in water does not give one hundred percent protection against insect pests.

Fight disease

Many grape varieties are affected by mildew, powdery mildew, gray mold, powdery mildew, spotted necrosis and other diseases. Iron vitriol, according to experienced gardeners, effectively fights the diseases listed above. The drug forms an acidic environment, which is detrimental to most pathogenic microorganisms.

Fight against pathogens of fungal infections is necessary with a solution of ferrous sulfate with a concentration of 4-5%. Spraying of plants is carried out twice, maintaining a 14-day interval between procedures.

How to get rid of lichens and mosses

Iron sulfate diluted with water (500 g of powder per 10 liters of water) and an extract from wood ash help get rid of lichens and moss. To prepare the hood, you will need wood ash (1 glass), 3 liters of boiling water and 7 liters of water. First, mix the ash and boiling water, after 2-3 days add the remaining water.

The finished product is sprayed only with areas of plants affected by lichen and moss. A mixture of ferrous sulfate and ash extract is used 2 times, while the interval between procedures should be at least 10 days.

Wound treatment and disinfection

Violation of the integrity of the bark of the vine is a very serious problem. Infection can penetrate into the resulting wounds and cracks, which is fraught with the death of plants. For disinfection of wounds, a 1% solution of ferrous sulfate is prepared.Please note that during the period of active fruiting, it is not recommended to spray the vine with a "medicinal" agent.

Precautionary measures

Ferrous sulfate does not pose a danger to humans and their health. However, it is better to dilute the powder and handle the plants with protective gloves. When the drug comes in contact with the mucous membrane or skin, the affected area should be thoroughly washed with plain water.

Do not try to dilute the powder in a metal container. Iron sulfate reacts with metal. To prepare the solution, you can use glass or plastic dishes.

Common mistakes

A typical mistake of every second novice gardener is the use of a high / low concentration solution. A high content of ferrous sulfate can have the opposite reaction - the plant will die from burns. With a low concentration of the active substance, spraying the vineyard will not be beneficial. For this reason, it is recommended to strictly adhere to the drug consumption rates indicated by the manufacturer.

Do not try to treat bacterial infections in grapes with iron sulfate. As practice shows, the disease continues to progress, since treatment with iron sulfate is ineffective in such situations. To get rid of a bacterial disease, you need to replace the iron sulfate with copper.

Due to its wide range of effects on pathogenic microorganisms, ferrous sulfate copes well with fungal infections. A properly prepared solution of ferrous sulfate will help to increase yields and protect the vineyard from pests and dangerous diseases.