Content
Clay mash is a very cheap, but at the same time effective and widespread means for protecting the bark and root system of trees from pests, fungi, burns and rodents. Most gardeners use a mixture made from clay, lime, hay, straw, copper sulfate and other components in order to protect the crop and increase fruiting rates.
The benefits of clay mash for trees
Clay mash is an affordable remedy that is used to treat and protect fruit trees. The mixture is characterized by antiseptic properties. It is easy to prepare. Among the main advantages of a clay chatter are:
- waterproof;
- protection from sunlight, cold and chapping;
- protection against pests, pathogenic microorganisms and fungi;
- restoration of damaged areas;
- minimal costs for its creation.
It is recommended to prepare a clay mash for trees in order to protect the bark of fruit trees from rodent attacks. Despite the low cost of the composition and the ease of its preparation, this method is considered more effective and less harmful than special preparations that are sold in garden stores and are not cheap. The use of this affordable product can significantly increase the survival rate of seedlings and extend the shelf life of root crops.
How to make mash for trees
Clay mash is easy to prepare and can be made from available ingredients. Many gardeners, in addition to the main components, add growth stimulants, copper sulfate and other components to the mixture. A clay mash prepared for apple tree bark allows you to heal both minor wounds and fairly extensive damage. The restorative function of the mixture is achieved due to the presence of beneficial microorganisms that have antiseptic properties and nourish the bark with valuable minerals and trace elements.
How to make a clay mash for seedlings
You should prepare a clay mash for the roots to prevent them from drying out during transportation or transplantation. The mash is made from water, earth and clay with the addition of sawdust, which sticks to the roots and retains moisture. After processing, the roots need to be wrapped in plastic wrap or burlap.
The root system of a seedling can remain in the chatter for up to 7-8 days without the risk of drying out
Before planting in the ground, the roots are removed from the coating by thorough washing.
Clay mash for whitewashing trees
It is recommended to make a clay mash for trees so that the lime mortar does not drain from the trunk and provides reliable protection from insect pests and temperature changes. If there are deep wounds and damage to the tree, the trunk requires pre-treatment with a three percent solution of ferrous sulfate. Then you need to apply a bandage to the problem areas, for the manufacture of which you take cotton fabric or a bandage soaked in clay mash. It should not be made of silk or satin fabric and should not be tightened too tightly. The mixture can be supplemented with a small amount of cow dung.
Clay mash for tree bark
You can prepare a clay mash for puttingty on trees using this recipe:
- Slaked lime (no more than 2.5 kg), fatty clay (1 kg) and copper sulfate (45-55 g) are poured into a bucket of water.
- All components are mixed until the lumps completely disappear and a homogeneous consistency is obtained.
The clay-lime mixture can be used to whitewash trees both in spring and summer.
Properly prepared mash should not spread along the trunk.
How to prepare a clay mash for processing cuts
A cut on a tree is an open door for various pathogenic microorganisms and fungi. Untreated damage negatively affects growth rates and fruiting. You can prepare a clay mash for processing cuts and cracks using the following technology:
- Mullein is mixed with clay in a ratio of 1:2.
- A small amount of hay or chopped straw is added to the resulting mixture.
- Pour water into the mash and stir until it reaches the consistency of thick sour cream.
The clay composition for cutting is applied only to the damaged area. The edge of the damage should remain clean. The recipe for tree mash can be supplemented with other ingredients, but you must carefully monitor the proportions. Otherwise, the finished mixture may turn out to be too liquid and will drain from the trunk or harm the bark (root system) due to the too high concentration of additional components.
Terms and rules for treating trees with clay mash
Before treating a tree with a clay mixture, it is necessary to clean the base of the trunk from lichen and remnants of exfoliated old bark. This manipulation is carried out manually, since plastic or metal scrapers can injure the tree. To clean cracks and grooves, it is recommended to use a wooden knife or a sharpened sliver. It is necessary to get rid of unnecessary branches during pre-treatment in dry weather, otherwise the cuts will take a very long time.
The next step is disinfection. It is also performed exclusively in dry weather conditions without the threat of rain. For disinfection, a mixture is used that includes copper sulfate and other copper-containing preparations. When processing, only fine spraying is used, since drops of the solution should simply settle on the surface of the bark and envelop it in a protective layer. Disinfection using soap and ash infusion is considered effective.
The wounds are closed and treated with a clay mixture only after all preparatory procedures have been completed.
Whitewashing of trunks is done no more than three times a year: the main procedure is performed in the fall from October to November, the next one at the very end of winter or with the onset of spring. The third whitewashing is carried out in mid-July, but some gardeners consider it unnecessary and limit themselves to two. The procedure is necessary for both young seedlings and adult trees. Some experts warn that whitewashing can harm annual crops due to burning of the delicate bark.
The autumn procedure is considered the most important, since it protects the fruit tree from larvae, spores of various fungi, sunburn, temperature changes and other negative factors.
How to make a clay mash for storing root vegetables and flower tubers
Using a clay mash you can preserve carrots, beets, celery and other vegetables until spring. After dipping, they must be dried and placed in a cellar or other suitable storage place. Thanks to the clay mixture, it is possible to preserve tubers of dahlias and other ornamental crops by bathing the planting material in a mash with the addition of manganese or copper sulfate. After the clay crust has completely dried, the tubers are placed in boxes and stored. With the onset of spring, you need to tap the crust without much effort to loosen it.
Preservation with a clay mixture allows you to preserve not only moisture, but also the taste of the root vegetable, vitamins and most useful components. Many gardeners find that by spring a significant portion of their beet or carrot supplies are lost due to rodent attacks.Using a clay mixture, you can easily prevent any invasion of crops from a variety of pests.
Conclusion
Clay mash is a universal remedy for protecting fruit trees from fungi, mold, parasites, rodents, sunburn and chapping. The main advantages are ease of preparation and incredibly low cost of the mixture. With the help of mash you can not only protect the harvest, but also preserve root crops until spring without losing their pronounced taste and beneficial properties. If used correctly, this tool has virtually no drawbacks.
