Bordeaux mixture: how to cook and apply correctly

Hello! Friends from Sevastopol came to us a month ago. They brought a bunch of goodies, including delicious apples.

Moreover, they brought several buckets and said that they can not go bad for a long time, so we can enjoy fresh fruit for a long time. And so it turned out. We still eat these apples, and it’s as if they were only torn from a tree.

One of the secrets that friends told us about is the use of the Bordeaux mixture. Bordeaux mixture - how to cook and how it is useful for fruit trees, read on.

How to make Bordeaux mixture

When the summer is already in full swing, we will rejoice at our harvests, but this variety can be overshadowed by various insidious enemies that cause fungal diseases: fruit rot, scab, etc. among apple trees and pears; gray rot in cherries and plums; rust and septoria in currants and gooseberries; various diseases in raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes. Where to look for a council on them?

Therefore, use potent chemicals only as a last resort and only selectively - in those places where the concentration of pathogens or diseases exceeds a critical level. So the solution may be the preparation and use of Bordeaux fluid.

The drug is prepared immediately before use, mixing a solution of copper sulfate with lime. The order of work is this. In a glass or enamel bowl in 5 l of water, 100 g of copper sulfate is dissolved. Separately, milk of lime is prepared by mashing 100-150 g of fluff lime in 5 l of water.

Quicklime is first extinguished by adding a little water and letting the lime “boil” (do not use only plastic and plastic dishes, otherwise melt during the reaction!), And then cool.

You can check its quality by lowering a clean iron nail into the solution for several minutes: if it is covered with copper coating, the solution is unsuitable for use, as it will cause a severe burn of the leaves, and a characteristic brown net will appear on the fruits, they will crack. In such a mixture, you need to add milk of lime. The risk of burns increases in hot, humid weather.

Most often, a Bordeaux mixture of 1% concentration is used, that is, 10 g of solution - 100 g of copper sulfate and 100-150 g of lime. For a single early spring blue spraying, a preparation of 3% concentration is used - 300 g of copper sulfate and 400 g of lime per 10 l of water.

It should be borne in mind that Bordeaux liquid can not be used less than 15 days before harvesting fruit crops, and currants and gooseberries - 25 days. Raspberries and strawberries are sprayed before flowering and after harvesting. In general, the period before flowering is the most favorable for the use of this drug. Apple trees and pears can be processed no more than 6 times, cherries and plums - 4, currants and gooseberries - 3, raspberries and strawberries - 2.

Many gardeners use this method to protect against late blight: they pierce plant trunks with centimeter pieces of copper wire, freed from insulation and enamel, since this good is now enough in stores. The wire remains in the trunks for the entire time of plant growth.

Instructions for use in gardening, preparation and composition

Among the oldest drugs, so far effectively protecting plants, is the Bordeaux mixture. Its development dates back to the end of the 19th century, when the fungicidal effect of an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide and copper sulfate was discovered.

Initially, the drug was used to process vineyards, and later began to be used for spraying other green spaces.

What is it used for?

The use of Bordeaux fluid in gardening helps to effectively deal with most pathogenic lesions on the bark and leaves. In fruit crops after processing, a greater number of fruits ripen, and deciduous and conifers significantly intensify their growth.

In places of removal of bark and on saw cuts of branches treated with Bordeaux mixture, rot crusts and darkened areas of wood will not form.

Use the mixture with caution, since copper compounds are toxic to humans. Processing of fruit trees is recommended 2-4 weeks before harvest.

This increases the quality and durability of the fruit during storage, while reducing the residual concentration of copper on their surface. There is still controversy regarding the appropriateness of applying the composition on a summer cottage during the growing season, since the components of the drug can get into earlier fruiting trees or shrubs.

In horticulture, the use of Bordeaux fluid can lead to the appearance of a net structure of fruits and a change in their size. This effect is especially noticeable on cherries. A win-win option is to treat the trees before budding, destroying most microorganisms at the initial stage.

A high concentration of active substances from the first 3% solution will adversely affect the development of a plant that has already thrown leaves. For processing green plants using a 1 percent solution.

Composition and principle of action of the drug

The finished mixture is an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide and calcium sulfate containing suspended copper hydroxide. The classical formulation of the drug includes three initial components - copper sulfate, quicklime and water. The concentration of the solution refers to the content of the initially taken copper sulfate based on the final aqueous mixture.

The mechanism of action of Bordeaux fluid is the effect of residual copper ions on pests and fungi, occurring at the cellular level. The mixture is effective not only in the treatment of shrubs and trees, but also in flowers with affected inflorescences. The repellent effect of the composition on many harmful insects is noted, which the presence of the drug repels from plant damage.

For humans, Bordeaux mixture is also harmful. The main ways it enters the body:

If you suspect poisoning with copper compounds, you should call a doctor who will adjust the treatment and prescribe important stimulating drugs.

How to prepare a mixture at home without harm to health?

To prevent poisoning with Bordeaux mixture is quite simple, if you follow the general recommendations:

• use a respirator, mittens, a hat and protective outer clothing when preparing and spraying the product;
• do not smoke, drink or eat in between sprayings;
• do not spray the mixture in the immediate vicinity of fruits and vegetables, which will be collected within 2-3 weeks;
• always rinse the crop with water before use.

Keep in mind that during the spraying process, individual aerosol portions are dispersed tens of meters. The result may be the ingress of substances to trees and shrubs that are remote from the treatment site.

The scheme of mixing the components and obtaining the finished composition consists of several stages:

1. the initial samples of copper sulfate and quicklime are dissolved with stirring in a small amount of hot water. A separate container is taken for each solution. Slaking lime is not carried out in plastic buckets, since they can melt, and metal containers are not suitable for dissolving copper sulfate and storing Bordeaux mixture;
2. both solutions are diluted with water to a volume of 5 liters, after which they are mixed;
3. a solution of copper sulfate is poured in a thin stream into a continuously stirred solution of lime;
4. the finished mixture is an opaque suspension of blue color. Its suitability for processing plants should be checked by measuring pH with litmus paper. If an acidic medium is detected, a small amount of lime mortar must be added to the Bordeaux liquid. The readiness of the drug is indicated by a weak alkaline or neutral environment.

The colors of the litmus indicator: in a neutral environment - does not change color (yellow paper), in an acidic one - it acquires a crimson color (some mistakenly consider it red), in an alkaline one - it shows a blue color.

The ratio of the components (on the final volume of 10 l):

After preparation, the drug should be used immediately (do not insist), until the finely dispersed particles of copper hydroxide are combined into larger conglomerates. Periodic mixing allows you to maintain a dispersed state of the solution.

For the preparation of liquid with your own hands, the cheapest thing is to buy all the ingredients separately. Buy a ready-made kit that includes all components and litmus paper will be easier, but more expensive.

Features of application, dosage and consumption

A suspension of the drug is applied to the surface of plants in early spring and summer by spraying. The finished solution is poured into the tank, into which pressure is then pumped (manually or from a carbon dioxide cylinder). Spray the mixture evenly on trees and shrubs, trying to get the liquid on all sides of the leaves and branches.

Features of using the tool:

• the composition should be sprayed carefully, avoiding its spills on itself and on the ground;
• Before work, you must make sure that there are no people in the treatment area without protective clothing (especially children) and animals;
• Do not carry out work with a high probability of precipitation;
• application should be done strictly in the wind.

The number of treatments is:

1. before the appearance of the kidneys - 1 (3 percent solution);
2. during the growing season - 3-4 (1 percent solution);
3. the frequency of treatment (the duration of the liquid) is 10-14 days.

Mixture Consumption:

Large trees with external signs of fungal infection can be sprayed with a 1% solution of the mixture at the rate of 10-15 liters per tree.

Liquid remains an effective and cheap drug for the treatment and prevention of diseases of green spaces. Its widespread use in horticulture is facilitated by the availability of components and the simplicity of self-preparation.

The versatility of the tool allows for the joint processing of most plants and contributes to the overall improvement of the site.

Bordeaux liquid: how to cook

Bordeaux mixture is a very famous solution of copper sulphate in milk of lime. It is used as a fungicide (a chemical for combating fungal diseases of vegetable and horticultural crops).

Since ancient times, copper sulfate was used by physicians as an integral part of powders and poultices, and today it is quite possible to find medical prescriptions with its use. But the wonderful protective properties of this substance for plants, according to history, were "discovered" quite by accident.

Today, copper in the Bordeaux mixture faithfully serves our gardeners and gardeners. Before plant damage by any disease, treatment with this compound will be an excellent prophylactic. And with infections - a medicine.

Such a mixture can be bought in a dry store. Each package contains copper sulfate, lime and (should be!) A special indicator strip to check the correctness of the manufacture of the liquid mixture.

If there is no finished mixture, you can prepare it yourself. It is only necessary:

1. purchase components;
2. keep proportions;
3. strictly adhere to the cooking sequence.

Before plant damage by any disease, treatment with this compound will be an excellent prophylactic.

According to experts, the preparation of the mixture is far from arbitrary. You can’t just mix the components and dilute everything with water.

Despite the remarkable properties of Bordeaux fluid - the healer of plants, we must remember: a small concentration of copper in the soil is good, and excess is harmful! Therefore, let us not forget the words of Paracelsus: “Everything is poison, and nothing is devoid of toxicity. Only one dose makes the poison invisible! ” An excess of suburban chemicals will certainly settle in our bodies with a heavy burden of already human diseases ...

Preparation and use

At the cottage there are always pests and plant diseases that need to be quickly disposed of. Bordeaux fluid, the use of which in summer residents in large quantities, can easily cope with many of them.

Now it remains to learn how to prepare Bordeaux liquid or as it is also called a mixture. In general, copper sulfate, freshly slaked lime and water are used here. Its use is possible in a concentration of 1% and 3%.

1% mixture

For 10 liters of water, and if possible use rainwater, take 100g of copper sulphate and freshly slaked lime. Now in wooden, glass or clay dishes, dilute copper sulfate and add water up to 5 liters, in another vessel you need to do the same with lime.

To do this, take an iron, but a stainless object (knife, nail ...) and lower it to the bottom of the prepared Bordeaux liquid. If you see a reddish coating, then bust. You can fix this by adding lime, if you neglect the check, then you risk burning the plants.

3% mixture

For 10 liters of water, and if possible use rainwater, take 300g of copper sulphate and 400g of freshly slaked lime. Further cooking technology is similar to 1% of the mixture. Bordeaux liquid can be bought dry. The package will contain vitriol, lime and an indicator strip to verify the correct preparation of the mixture.

Bordeaux fluid is used in the spring before the buds open for spraying. Here you need to use a 3% mixture. During the growing season, use a 1% mixture for spraying from anthracnose grapes, rust on varieties of currants, gooseberries, but not more than 3 times.

The final spraying of plants with Bordeaux mixture is carried out a maximum of 25 days before harvesting the berry crop and 15 days before picking apples if apple trees from scab were processed. Raspberries can be processed 2 times (before flowering and after picking berries).

Instructions for use

“Bordeaux mixture” - is used to prepare Bordeaux liquid, which in turn is used to combat diseases (late blight, coccomycosis, rust, scab, curly, etc.) on various plants. In viticulture, Bordeaux liquid is used in the fight against mildew, anthracnose, black rot, rubella, cercosporosis, melanosis, etc.

In the early spring, a 3% concentration of Bordeaux liquid is used (300 g of copper sulfate and 400 g of lime per 10 liters of water). And during the growing season, a 1% solution is used (100 g of copper sulfate and 100-150 g of lime per 10 liters of water).

Early spring spraying before and during budding with a 3% solution of Bordeaux fluid:

Spraying during the period of development (vegetation) of plants with a 1% solution of Bordeaux fluid

• Culture: Apple trees, pears, quinces
  • Harmful object: Scab and other spotting, moniliosis, phylosticosis.
  • Working solution consumption: up to 6 years - up to 2 l per tree; fruiting trees - up to 10 l;
  • Maximum number of treatments: 6
• Culture: Apricot, plum, cherry, peach, cherry
  • Harmful object: Coccomycosis, klyasterosporiosis, curly, moniliosis, etc.
  • Working solution consumption: up to 6 years - up to 2 l per tree; fruiting trees - up to 10 l;
  • Maximum number of treatments: 4
• Culture: Currants, gooseberries
  • Harmful object: Anthracnose, septoria, rust.
  • Working solution consumption: up to 1.5 l per bush
  • Maximum number of treatments: 3
• Culture: Raspberries, Strawberries
  • Harmful object: Leaf spotting.
  • Working solution consumption: up to 1.5 liters per 10 m2;
  • Maximum number of treatments: 2
• Culture: Grapevine
  • Harmful object: Mildew, anthracnose
  • Working solution consumption: up to 1.5 liters per 10 m2;
  • Maximum number of treatments: 6
• Culture: Tomatoes open and closed ground
  • Harmful object: late blight, macrosporiosis
  • Working solution consumption: up to 2 l per 10 m2.
  • Maximum number of treatments: 4
• Culture: Potato
  • Harmful object: late blight, macrosporiosis
  • Working solution consumption: up to 1 liter per 10 m2;
  • Maximum number of treatments: 14
• Culture: Cucumbers
  • Harmful object: Anthracnosis, peronosporosis, ascochitosis, olive spotting, bacteriosis
  • Working solution consumption: up to 2 l per 10 m2.
  • Maximum number of treatments: 3
• Culture: Beetroot
  • Harmful Object: Cercosporosis
  • Working solution consumption: up to 1 liter per 10 m2;
  • Maximum number of treatments: 3
• Culture: Melons, Watermelons
  • Harmful object: Anthracnosis, peronosporosis, ascochitosis, olive spotting, bacteriosis
  • Working solution consumption: up to 1 liter per 10 m2;
  • Maximum number of treatments: 3
• Culture: Onion (not feather)
  • Harmful Object: Peronosporosis
  • Working solution consumption: up to 1 liter per 10 m2;
  • Maximum number of treatments: 3
• Culture: Floral and ornamental crops
  • Harmful object: Rust, spotting, etc.
  • Maximum number of treatments: 3

Cooking

The solution of copper sulfate and milk of lime is prepared in 2 separate containers, then, with constant stirring, the solution of copper sulfate is poured into the milk of lime with a thin stream. It is not recommended to dissolve copper sulfate and prepare Bordeaux liquid in iron containers.

Then, with continuous stirring, copper sulfate is slowly poured into the milk of lime (but not vice versa). If it is necessary to do this without an assistant, alone, then the milk of lime is strongly unwound in a circle, and while the rotation continues, a solution of vitriol is poured in a small stream, then a new unwinding, etc.

Properly prepared Bordeaux liquid is a bright blue color, a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction (preferably the latter). A highly alkaline solution is poorly retained on the plant, and acidic can cause leaf burns and brown mesh on the fruits or cracking.

The active principle of Bordeaux liquid is the basic copper compounds, slightly soluble in water and providing a long protective effect. Bordeaux liquid is a mixture of a solution of copper sulfate with milk of lime: the opaque suspension has a sky-blue color.

A further increase in the amount of lime leads to the formation of copper oxide hydrate [Cu (OH) 2], which changes the fungicidal effect.

With a lack of lime in Bordeaux liquid, copper sulfate remains free, as a result of which the mixture has an acid reaction and, along with a decrease in fungicidal action, can cause burns to the plant. The Bordeaux liquid possesses the best protective properties at a ratio of CuSO 4: Ca (OH) 2 = 1: 0.75.

Correctly prepared Bordeaux liquid should have a light blue color and a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction can be checked with universal indicators, in a quality preparation, indicator blue litmus paper does not change its color, and white phenolphthalein becomes pale pink.

If there is no litmus paper, then you can use a nail or stainless steel wire. When immersing a nail or iron wire into it, copper should not settle.

If copper forms on the nail, then this means the solution is acidic and there is not enough lime in it. In this case, in order to avoid a strong change in the concentration of Bordeaux liquid, milk of lime should be taken concentrated (10-15%). You can not dilute the resulting solution - this leads to its separation.

Bordeaux liquid is used on the day of preparation, if used the next day, then add sugar (5-10 g of sugar per 10 liters of 1% Bordeaux liquid).

When using Bordeaux liquid in vineyards, it should be borne in mind that the copper contained in Bordeaux liquid suppresses not only the disease, but also the plant itself, i.e. in vineyards, a decrease in the strength of the growth of vine shoots may be observed. An alternative is the application in viticulture of organic (not containing copper) fungicides.

When spraying after flowering and many times further, the drug can cause the formation of a net on the fruits, impair their quality, cause premature dropping of leaves and partial dropping of the ovary, etc., which is associated with a change in physiological processes, but not only from the use of copper-containing preparations, and other reasons. During this period, it is advisable to use a new generation of copper-containing fungicides.

The preparation of Bordeaux liquid is laborious, it is incompatible with insecticides, i.e. pest drugs.

But it is not worth completely abandoning it, since the use of only new fungicides that do not contain CALCIUM can cause calcium starvation, which is increasingly noted on fruit trees. After the period of “the beginning of budding,” it is better to use its copper-containing substitutes - “Copper chloride” (or copper oxychloride, “Hom”,) and “Cuproxat”.

What is Bordeaux mixture for?

A solution of copper sulfate, diluted with milk of lime - the famous Bordeaux mixture. It is used to destroy fungi of garden plants.

Fungicide developed in the city of Bordeaux. Hence the name. France was the first to invent this drug, the use of which began in the 19th century. For the correct manufacture of Bordeaux solution, you need to know some subtleties.

The recipe and composition of Bordeaux fluid

This mixture is indispensable in the process of growing garden and vegetable crops. Bordeaux mortar fights pests and diseases in the garden or garden. It includes copper - a tool for the prevention and treatment of diseases of horticultural crops. This liquid is easy to prepare at home.

You need to buy a finished powder, consisting of vitriol and lime. It is necessary to correctly determine the acidity of the solution. An indicator strip of paper is inserted into the bag to make the desired acid proportion of the mixture.

In this case, copper “works” like poison, and lime neutralizes its effect. The resulting liquid must be used on the same day. There is a way to extend the life of the solution, for this 5 grams are added to a 10-liter capacity of the mixture. Sahara.

Solution manufacturing

1% solution of Bordeaux fluid is prepared from 100 g. copper sulfate and 120 gr. quicklime. Copper powder is dissolved in a liter of hot water. Crockery can be used clay, enameled or glass.Gradually pour 5 liters of cold water into the solution.

In another container, it is necessary to extinguish lime with a liter of hot water. The solutions are filtered through a dense layer of gauze. We mix by pouring copper sulfate into a liquid with lime, not forgetting to constantly shake or mix.

To obtain a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture you will need 450 g. quicklime, 300 gr. copper sulfate, 10 liters of water. Preparation is similar to 1% solution. A high-quality mixture retains its properties in a closed package, which is why it is better to use an increased concentration for the preparation of liquids.

Storage of lime in an unpressurized container is unreliable. A reaction occurs with water and carbon dioxide, and this leads to a loss of healing properties. The quality of the components depends on the manufacturer.

Bordeaux fluid should be with excess lime. There is an equivalent unit of measure for all components of a solution necessary for a good chemical reaction. This ratio is within 1: 3.5.

Nuances

When mixing the reagents, the solution should be as cold as possible, only in this case the necessary small crystals of the chemical substance will form. It is forbidden to add water to an already prepared mixture. It is necessary in advance to prepare diluted to the desired consistency solutions of copper and limestone.

This means that the content of copper sulfate is increased. Such a liquid can burn plants. To rehabilitate the solution, add lime water until there is no reaction to iron.

Recommendations for use

Processing plants must be carried out before flowering. The buds should not bloom yet. At high atmospheric humidity and high temperature spraying is strictly prohibited. You can easily get an extensive burn of foliage. It is not recommended to mix ready-made Bordeaux liquid with karbofos and with organophosphorus compounds.

The liquid copes well with pests of apple and pear crops (fruit rot, leaf spotting, rust). The mixture is effective in the fight against diseases of cherry plum, plum, cherries (coccomycosis, klyasterosporiosis and many others). Bordeaux mixture will help with diseases of root crops and shrubs of roses, currants, grapes.

Bordeaux fluid irrigation should be done on time. It is necessary to ensure that the coating of the plant with the drug is complete, not partial. Only then will there be a visible result. Bordeaux solution, in comparison with other drugs, lasts longer and better.

Fluid requires careful handling. Even a one percent mixture can cause burns in delicate varieties of roses, grapes, berry bushes and trees. The most sensitive crops are apricot and cherry. Burns lead to cracking and deformation of the plant fruit. For such plants, there is a substitute for Bordeaux fluid - HOM, Blue Bordeaux, Kuproksat.

Treatment with a three percent mixture is called eradicating spraying. Foliage after the procedure takes on a blue hue. Some people call the procedure - blue spraying. The effect lasts up to a month. However, with increasing temperature or humidity, the protection time is reduced.

Bordeaux mixture has a pronounced preventive effect. Gardeners recommend prophylaxis in order to prevent diseases of horticultural crops. Bordeaux liquid can be mixed with colloidal sulfur - this is the only possible drug for the mixture.

Many experienced gardeners use "substitutes" Bordeaux mixture (organic preparations "Champion" and others, copper chloride). This is due to difficulties in the process of preparing the liquid. Preparations that replace Bordeaux mixture are easy to prepare.

Bordeaux liquid: features of application and preparation

Bordeaux liquid is a chemical substance that has proven itself in the fight against a variety of fungal diseases of garden plants.

If the dosage is correctly taken into account, then the drug will not bring harm to either plants or people, while it will kill fungus and late blight on plants. Many gardeners are faced with the problem of the appearance of a fungal disease in planted plants.

This leads to the fact that the entire crop disappears, and the garden culture perishes. For this reason, many people go to stores to purchase a popular product called Bordeaux liquid, the use of which requires some knowledge.

This drug shows an excellent effect, while it is inexpensive. Make the required fluid quickly. It is best to treat plants with this agent in the spring, this gives the highest result. It is recommended to spray in the early spring and during the growing season.

In summer, it is also not forbidden to treat garden crops with a solution, but do not forget that it is a chemical substance, so it can be dangerous not only for a plant, but also for a person who sprays. Do not abuse the drug.

For example, the last time apples, pears and other trees should be processed a month before harvesting, and vegetables - for half a month.

Ingredients

Using Bordeaux fluid, copper ions act on fungi and pests. The tool can process not only trees, but also flowers.

If you use a solution of copper sulfate, you can see better the effect, but the plant itself will die from it.

rules

It is also important to properly prepare the mixture so as not to harm your own body. To do this, follow these rules:

1. During cooking, use gloves, wear a respirator, protective clothing
2. It is forbidden to smoke, drink, eat food between the processing of horticultural crops
3. Do not spray near vegetables that will be harvested soon
4. Before consuming fruits, they should be washed well.

But you need to understand that during processing, aerosol particles fly to a large area. Therefore, the liquid is able to get to distant places.

Mixture preparation

Preparing Bordeaux liquid is not difficult. To do this, you should adhere to such a scheme and perform several actions. Samples of quicklime and copper sulfate should be dissolved in water. It must be hot.

The mixture should be stirred. It is impossible to use containers made of plastic for this, since they will simply melt. It is also impossible to dissolve copper sulfate in metal buckets. After this, the solutions should be diluted with water. It needs to be taken up to 5 liters. The mixture with copper sulfate is poured slowly into the mixture with lime.

The drug will be ready if the medium is alkaline or neutral, so you need to check the acidity level of the solution. If you place litmus paper in a neutral environment, it will not change color, in acidic - it will become crimson, and in alkaline it will acquire a blue tint.

When the product is ready, it must immediately begin to apply. It is forbidden to leave the mixture to insist, from this it can deteriorate. So that it does not lose its properties, it must be periodically stirred.

If the solution is stored for a long time, the particles of hydroxide will begin to stick together, and this will lead to them becoming clogged in the sprayer. If you want to preserve Bordeaux liquid for several days, then you need to pour 10 grams of sugar into it.

But you can also make a purchase of a ready-made kit, this will require you to spend more money. But it will already have litmus paper and all the necessary components.

Application features

Apply this tool to garden crops at the beginning of spring, as well as in summer. It is sprayed using special devices.

The prepared solution is poured into the tank. Spraying should take place equally on all parts of the plant. The liquid should get on all the leaves. Therefore, the spraying procedure requires attention.

You should also adhere to such spraying rules:

There are some rules regarding the number of treatments:

1. Until the kidneys appear, you need to conduct one spray, use a 3% solution
2. It is carried out during the growing season, you need to do 3-4 treatments, and take a solution of 1%.

Different garden crops require a different amount of solution:

• for trees you need to make about 20 liters per 100 square meters
• for small bushes - about 15 l
• for small bushes - up to 10 l

If signs of fungus appear on large leaves, then they can be treated with Bordeaux fluid. This mixture is an effective tool, which does not require a lot of costs. With its help, you can cure a plant or rid it of an existing disease.

This liquid has been widely used since it is easy to prepare and easy to use. Moreover, it is universal, which allows it to be used for a variety of garden crops.

The most effective crop control tool

The most effective means of combating numerous diseases of fruit, berry and vegetable crops remains Bordeaux mixture.

Its solution is used to treat apples and pears from scab and fruit rot, stone fruit from hole blotch and gray rot, raspberry from purple blotch, currant and gooseberry from anthracnose and septoria, tomatoes from phytophthora, peach from curly leaves, grapes - from mildew, etc.

The best results are given by early spring spraying. Before buds open (along bare branches and vine), a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture is sprayed, and during the growing season (along leaves) a 1% solution is prepared so as not to burn the foliage.

The leaves are sprayed no more than 3 times and stop spraying on the berry plants 25-30 days before harvesting, on apple trees - 15 days.

During flowering and fruiting, Bordeaux liquid is not used and copper-based preparations are not used, because from them the fruits are covered with a brown net and crack. In the autumn, Bordeaux is used after harvest.

Solution preparation

The effectiveness of spraying plants, largely depends on the quality of the solution. A properly prepared solution has a light blue color, a homogeneous consistency (no flakes) and a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction, which is checked using indicator paper or any metal product (bolt, nail, nut, strip of metal) without rust.

In order to bring the finished solution of Bordeaux mixture with an acidic reaction to a neutral or slightly alkaline state, a solution of lime (milk of lime) is gradually added to it and after each addition its reaction is checked.

When used for spraying a solution with an acidic reaction, it is more likely to burn leaves, which will then fall off. A solution with a slightly alkaline or neutral reaction is best.

The Bordeaux mixture contains in a ratio of 1: 1 two main components: copper sulfate and slaked lime. To prepare Bordeaux liquid, they are dissolved in water, each in a separate container, and then a thin stream of lime solution (milk of lime) is poured into a solution of copper sulfate and they are constantly mixed with any wooden object.

You can pay off more lime at once, because it will come in handy during the season. Unused slaked lime can be stored until next year in a room with a plus temperature. Frozen lime loses its properties.

For the preparation of solutions, any glass, wooden, ceramic, enameled container is used, except for a metal one (the exception is copper, but no housewife will give such dishes for chemicals).

In most cases, a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture is used: for 10 l of water, 100 g of copper sulfate and 120-150 g of slaked lime.

100 g of copper sulfate is diluted in 1 liter of water and the volume is adjusted to 5 liters. It is highly soluble in water, so there is no need to use hot water. In another container, hydrated lime is diluted in a small amount of water (2-3 l), mixed well, and then brought to the desired volume - 5 l.

The finished solution is filtered and immediately used. They store it no more than a day, because he quickly changes his composition. The mixture is easily precipitated, so it must be filtered from sand particles and mixed well before use.

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