Treatment of currants with Bordeaux mixture in spring and autumn

Bordeaux mixture for currants is the most common fungicide. The popularity of this drug among gardeners is due to its high efficiency, since it has a detrimental effect on the causative agents of many fungal diseases. The product is also easy to use and accessible. In order for its use to bring maximum benefit to the shrub and not cause harm, you should study the features of the action of the fungicide in advance.

Bordeaux mixture was invented by chemist Joseph Proust in the 19th century.

Is it necessary to spray currants with Bordeaux mixture?

Bordeaux mixture includes copper sulfate and slaked lime. They successfully complement each other and provide the fungicidal effect of the drug.This remedy helps to cope even with severe fungal infection of currant bushes, and its use as a preventive measure is also permissible. Therefore, it should be used for processing fruit bushes, which guarantees full development and high productivity.

You can treat not only the shoots of the plant with the product, but also the root circle in order to destroy soil fungi and prevent their further spread. After all, Bordeaux mixture does not oxidize the soil. The product can be used several times a season, depending on the degree of infection.

pros

This drug has many advantages, which explains the increased demand for it by gardeners. Because in comparison with other similar means, it is significantly superior to them.

Bordeaux mixture is not addictive to pathogens

Main advantages:

• availability;
• wide spectrum of action;
• strengthens the immune system;
• increases the resistance of currants to temperature changes;
• does not accumulate in fruits and leaves;
• the protective effect lasts for a month;
• suitable for treatment and prevention;
• does not harm pollinating insects;
• prevents calcium and copper deficiency;
• ease of use;
• possibility of repeated treatments throughout the season.

Minuses

But this drug also has certain disadvantages. To prevent them from becoming unpleasant surprises later, you should familiarize yourself with them in advance.

Disadvantages of the product:

• cannot be combined with other drugs in the tank mixture, except colloidal sulfur;
• if the rules of use are ignored, it causes burns on leaves and shoots;
• requires compliance with processing deadlines;
• When using, you must adhere to increased precautions.

When to treat currants with Bordeaux mixture

Experienced gardeners recommend using the drug in spring and autumn, which minimizes the risks of such treatment for currants and increases its effectiveness. Depending on the time of year, the method of application differs, which must be taken into account.

Using Bordeaux mixture for currants in spring

Currants should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture in the spring before the active growing season begins. It is recommended to treat bushes at a temperature of +3-7 °C. In this case, you can use a solution at a concentration of 3%.

It is also possible to use the drug for spraying bushes at a later time. However, if the buds have swollen and begun to bloom, you need to treat currants with Bordeaux mixture with a one percent solution.

Spring treatment of bushes helps destroy overwintering fungal spores. The preparation should be sprayed onto the shoots in an even layer so that when it drips down it penetrates into all the microcracks in the bark where pathogenic microflora may be hiding. You should also treat the top layer of soil at the base of the currant.

Bordeaux mixture has a contact effect and is washed off by rain

Spraying currants with Bordeaux mixture in autumn

When using this product in the fall, treatment should be carried out shortly before the first frost. The optimal period is November. In this case, you should spray the currant shoots and root circle with a three percent solution of the drug.This treatment helps to destroy pathogens of powdery mildew, black and gray rot, all types of scab and increase the immunity of the bush before winter.

It is recommended to use Bordeaux mixture for processing currants in the fall after leaf fall, when the shoots are completely exposed. But it is important that the air temperature is above +3 °C. Otherwise, spraying will be useless.

How to dilute and prepare Bordeaux mixture for spraying currants

To properly treat currants with Bordeaux mixture, you need to dilute the product. The working solution should be prepared in a plastic container immediately before use. When diluted, Bordeaux mixture retains its properties throughout the day. If necessary, you can extend the effect of the working solution for another day. To do this, it is recommended to add 5 g of sugar and mix thoroughly.

After preparing the drug, it is necessary to check its acidity. To do this, you can use a universal indicator. It is recommended to use the drug for its intended purpose without fear of changing its shade from yellow to blue.

If there is no indicator, you can use a nail or knife. They need to be dipped into the solution. If a red-brown coating appears, this indicates an increased concentration of copper sulfate. To prevent burns of the shoots, you should add lime milk to the solution in such an amount until the symptom disappears.

Ready mix

In the store you can purchase a ready-made Bordeaux mixture, which only needs to be properly diluted with water. This must be done taking into account the instructions for use in order to obtain an effective product.

To prepare a 3% solution, you need to add 300 g of raw material per 10 liters, 1% - 100 g. To determine the required dosage, it should be taken into account that a matchbox contains 22 g of the drug, and a heaped tablespoon contains 30 g.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Grind the dry Bordeaux mixture into a homogeneous powder in a mortar.
2. Pour the drug into a container.
3. Gradually pour 300 ml of hot water into it in a thin stream, stirring constantly.
4. Add the required volume of liquid to the concentrate and mix.

Compliance with dosages is extremely important when using a contact fungicide.

Preparation of the solution

You can dilute Bordeaux mixture for currants, even if you were unable to purchase ready-made concentrated powder. In this case, you need to prepare copper sulfate and quicklime. To obtain a 1% solution, you will need 75 g of the first component and 35 g of the second, 3% - 200 g and 100 g, respectively.

In this case, you need to prepare three plastic containers, since all components must first be prepared separately.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Fill a bucket with 5 liters of water at a temperature of +75-85 °C.
2. Pour copper sulfate into the liquid, stirring constantly to prevent the formation of lumps.
3. In another container, take 1 liter of hot water and add lime.
4. Mix until smooth.
5. Then pour 4 liters of cold water into the lime milk.
6. After the reaction is complete, stir thoroughly for another 15 minutes.
7. After this, pour copper sulfate into the milk of lime in a thin stream.
8. Add water to the required volume.
9. Stir until smooth.

Before use, it is recommended to strain the working solution through cheesecloth several times to remove any lumps.

The permissible flow rate of working fluid for an adult currant bush is 1-1.5 l

How to treat currants with Bordeaux mixture

It is recommended to carry out the treatment in dry, windless weather in the morning or evening. It is important to spray the bushes evenly. Since the protective effect of the drug does not apply to untreated areas. During the season, no more than three treatments of currants with Bordeaux mixture are allowed.

Spraying should be carried out starting from the top and ending at the base of the bush. After this, the top layer of soil in the root circle should be further processed. But before that, you need to remove fallen leaves and loosen the top layer of soil.

Is it possible to process currants if the buds are swollen?

The period of bud swelling is the most favorable for treatment with Bordeaux mixture. In this case, a 3% solution should be used. If you delay the processing of currants with Bordeaux mixture in the spring, you can also spray with the drug. But in case of swelling and bud bursting, the working solution should have a one percent concentration.

Is it possible to treat a bush with berries?

In case of fungal infection of currants during the fruiting period, Bordeaux mixture can also be used. However, spot treatment of shoots with a three percent solution is recommended. You can apply the product with a swab or brush.

If it is necessary to treat the bushes, Bordeaux mixture should be completely diluted for spraying currants at a concentration of 1%. But in this case, the waiting period before harvesting is 25 days.

It is prohibited to consume berries immediately after processing.

Is it possible to spray during flowering?

This drug should not be used during the currant flowering period. Ignoring this rule will lead to shedding of buds and ovaries. In this case, you should not count on a harvest.

Precautionary measures

When used in accordance with the recommendations, the drug does not pose a risk to human and animal health. However, its use still requires precautions.

Before dissolving the Bordeaux mixture for spraying currants, you need to put on gloves, a protective mask, goggles, as well as clothes and shoes that cover exposed areas of the body as much as possible. If the working fluid gets on the skin or mucous membrane, it should be immediately washed off with a stream of water.

It is forbidden to drink or smoke while spraying. Since getting the product into the digestive tract and respiratory tract causes poisoning. If this happens, you should take an absorbent, and if you feel worse, consult a doctor.

Conclusion

Bordeaux mixture for currants is an effective fungicide that can not only prevent fungal diseases from affecting bushes, but also cure them. However, the use of this product requires strict adherence to dosages and timing of use. Otherwise, it may not only be ineffective, but also cause damage to the bush.

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