Every grape grower knows that a good harvest is possible only from a healthy bush. It requires regular care, which includes not only spraying with fertilizers in the early spring, but also treating the plant in autumn with iron sulphate, as well as cutting and sheltering the branches.
Why process grapes before wintering
Over the summer, a large number of different diseases can form on the branches. Autumn processing of grape bushes from pests and diseases prepares them for the winter period. If this is not done, it will be difficult to cure a weakened plant in spring. Due to parasites, the leaves of the vine will die, which will adversely affect the future harvest and can lead to the death of the entire bush.
Spring treatment helps the plant feel good and bear fruit all summer. But it is worth remembering that in winter the grape bush needs nutrients and vitamins even more in order to survive the cold period and build up reserves of energy by spring.
How is grape processing in autumn from diseases
To rid the bush of grapes from diseases and small parasites, spraying the surface of each vine. The solution for this can be prepared from different drugs, but more often gardeners use vitriol. Copper and iron sulfate do an excellent job of disinfecting branches, kill fungus and mold, and also have an acaricidal effect (they destroy ticks and other harmful insects).
Some spray the grape bush with a solution of diesel fuel. Half a liter of diesel fuel is mixed in 10 liters of water, then the branches are processed with this mixture. This should be done after all the leaves fall off so that burns do not appear.
Processing of grapes with iron sulphate
Iron sulfate is a micronutrient fertilizer that is widely used for processing fruit trees. It consists of granular crystals of green color, for which it is often called green vitriol.
You can start processing grape shrubs immediately after the loss of leaves. 0.5 kg of iron sulfate is taken on a bucket of water with a volume of 15 liters. It is necessary to breed until the granules are completely dissolved, after which spraying can begin. Despite the fact that the substance is characterized by a quick oxidative reaction and is considered harmless to the human body, it is recommended to wear gloves and protect the respiratory organs.
If your garden is not young, grape processing in the fall with iron sulfate is very important. The solution perfectly fights lichens, cytosporosis, moss, black cancer and scab, and also eliminates branches from harmful insects and larvae. To destroy various types of fungi, iron sulfate is added to the whitewash, which covers the trunks of the bush.
Spraying with iron sulfate eliminates iron deficiency. Regular treatment in the fall and spring allows the bark to become more elastic, and the leaves larger. As a result, more new shoots grow, which leads to an increase in the number of fruits. Berries become larger and acquire a healthy appearance.
It is worth noting that iron sulfate should not be mixed with slaked lime. Such solutions are prepared, as a rule, using copper sulfate.
Blue vitriol for spraying the garden
Copper sulfate is called copper sulfate, which consists of crystalline formations of light blue color. It is used for preserving and feeding trees. It fights well with all types of parasites and diseases.
Grape processing in autumn with iron sulfate is carried out from the second half of October, when leaf fall ends. About 0.1 kg of copper sulfate is diluted in 10 liters of water and stirred until the granules dissolve. After that, the whole bush is sprayed with a mixture. On average, about 2 liters of solution are consumed per plant. You need to work with gloves, a gauze bandage, glasses and waterproof clothing.
Bordeaux liquid can destroy grape aphids and various fungal diseases, which can be bought in the form of a powder or prepared independently. Make a mixture of freshly slaked lime, copper sulfate and water. It is important to observe the necessary proportions so as not to harm the plant. Apply this solution in the same way as iron and copper sulfate, - for processing grapes in the autumn or spring.
Making Bordeaux Liquid
In gardening, 1% or 3% solutions of Bordeaux mixture are used. For a 1% solution, 0.1 kg of copper sulfate, 0.1 kg of slaked lime and 10 liters of water are taken. It is advisable to use rainwater. Vitriol and lime are bred separately from each other. After this, the solution of vitriol should be poured into liquid lime with a thin stream and mixed. In order not to burn the bush, you should check the resulting mixture by dipping an iron object into it. It should not have a red coating. If it appears, add more lime.
The technology for preparing 3% Bordeaux liquid is identical to the first two. Only for the same amount of water you need to take 0.4 kg of slaked lime and 0.3 kg of copper sulphate.
When to start autumn grape processing
Classical processing of grapes in autumn is done after the last harvest. It is combined with cutting and sheltering branches. The young vine is not suitable for wintering, so all unripe branches must be removed. All the same, they will die during frosts, while causing great damage to the plant, spending nutrient reserves.
In addition, fresh shoots are more susceptible to diseases that can be transmitted to the entire bush during the winter shelter. Cutting of young branches is a very important step in preparing the plant for wintering, after which grape processing begins in autumn with iron sulfate.
Cutting grapes before shelter
Remove fresh shoots of grape shrubs should be a little time after the last harvest. If you immediately prune new branches, the plant can weaken and lose a significant part of the nutrients that were used to develop the young vine.
It is best to trim with the arrival of the first cold weather or immediately after the loss of leaflets. During this period, all useful substances begin to collect in the root system, which guarantees their safety.
Having removed young shoots, it is worth taking a closer look at the rest. Grape processing in autumn with iron sulfate should be carried out after cutting off all branches that are not sent for wintering. These also include those vines on which there are any type of disease.
If you pay due attention to the treatment of the shrub and conduct it correctly, grapes will delight you with a rich and healthy harvest every year.