Instructions for the use of colloidal sulfur for processing and spraying grapes
Many gardeners grow grapes for fresh drinks and fruit dishes. When growing grape bushes, they are often faced with the fact that they suffer from some fungal pathologies. To protect the seedlings, you will have to treat them with colloidal sulfur for grapes. However, before that, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of the use of this mixture.
Colloidal sulfur administration
Before proceeding with the processing of grape seedlings, you will have to familiarize yourself with the description and purpose of the chemical. Gardeners use it to treat plants for diseases that are caused by fungi. Also, mixtures made from colloidal sulfur are used to prevent pest attacks. Regular use of the sulfur mixture helps to eliminate fungi in the vineyards, as well as prevent their further development.
Experienced growers distinguish several purposes for treating bushes with such a substance:
- Prevention and elimination of diseases such as anthracosis, oidium, powdery mildew.
- Protecting planted seedlings from plant mite attacks and preventing the development of pests.
The effectiveness of the fungicidal agent is based on the vapors that the sulfuric solution releases. After spraying, the treated bushes begin to envelop in pairs. They are absolutely safe for plants, as they do not penetrate into their plant tissues. The components of the sulfur substance get inside pests and fungi, after which they are gradually destroyed at the cellular level.
Method of administration and dosage
It is recommended to figure out in advance how to treat grape bushes with a fungicide. This will help the instructions for using the drug, which will describe all the nuances of spraying.
First, you will have to prepare a working solution, which will be used for processing. To prepare a spray liquid, 50-60 grams of sulfur powder is gradually added to ten liters of water. To make the solution more concentrated, the dosage is increased to 70-80 grams. The powder must be diluted in water so that the mixture becomes homogeneous.
When creating a working fluid, the mixture is thoroughly mixed so that there are no lumps and undissolved sulfur powder in it. Gardeners with many years of experience in the use of fungicides advise to prepare a solution from heated water, since the powder dissolves better in it.
Spraying grapes held on the same day the liquid was prepared.
At the same time, it is better to deal with the processing of grapes in calm weather, so that the fungicide does not get on the plants that are nearby.The amount of sprinkling in the vineyard depends on how affected the bushes are. On average, they are processed at least six times a season. With a serious infection of plants with fungal diseases, the number of treatments is increased up to ten times per season.
Precautions
Many people believe that colloidal sulfur is only beneficial and absolutely safe for humans, but this is not the case. If you use a fungicide carelessly, you can harm your health. There have been cases when, due to improper use of the sulfuric solution, people developed poisoning and allergic reactions.
To avoid such problems, you will have to familiarize yourself with the basic precautions for using the fungicidal mixture.
Before spraying grapes, you need to take care of personal protective equipment, which is necessary to prevent liquid from getting on the skin surface. The best choice is a jumpsuit made of durable rubber. A respirator with goggles is suitable for eye and respiratory protection. Also make sure that there are no animals or people nearby when spraying the plants.
When treating grape seedlings with sulfur, do not drink, eat or smoke. When the spraying is over, the mouth, nose and hands are thoroughly rinsed. Laundry soap is used to wash off the particles of the fungicidal liquid that may have got on the skin.
Pros and cons
Like most fungicides, colloidal sulfur has its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages are the following:
- Duration of action. Sulfur belongs to such substances, the effective effect of which is quite intense and long-lasting. Therefore, one spraying is enough for 2-3 weeks.
- Good compatibility with other drugs. Experienced gardeners often use colloidal sulfur together with other insecticidal and fungicidal preparations.
- Safety. The vapors that are released during the processing of grapes are not able to penetrate into the leaves or berries.
- Release form. Due to the fact that the drug is sold as a loose powder, it is quite easy to control the dose.
- Versatility. A mixture made from sulfur is versatile, as it is used for treatment and prevention.
The disadvantages of a sulfuric solution are much less than advantages. Among the main disadvantages are the insecurity of sulfur for humans, as well as the difficulty of spraying tall grape bushes.
Processing time
Before using colloidal sulfur, you need to understand the timing of its use.
It is recommended to observe the following processing times:
- The first spraying can be carried out in early March, when there are no leaves on the bushes yet. In this case, non-concentrated mixtures are used.
- Experienced growers recommend reprocessing when the first open buds appear on the branches. Most often, they open in mid-April.
- The third time the grapes are sprayed in the first weeks of May, when the bushes are covered with young leaves.
- The fourth treatment is best done in July or June, before pollination.
Storage conditions
The prepared sulfuric liquid cannot be stored for a long time, as it quickly deteriorates. Therefore, you will have to use it within 5-7 hours after preparation. However, colloidal sulfur in powder form can be stored for a long time at home. Rooms with moderate air humidity and room temperature are suitable for this. At high humidity, the powder will begin to clump and deteriorate.
For storage of fungicides, places are selected that are reliably protected from children. Better to put them in boxes that are locked with a key. Under optimal conditions, colloidal sulfur is stored for 1-2 years.
Conclusion
Grapes, like other plants, are often attacked by pests and suffer from dangerous pathologies. Colloidal sulfur can be used to cure it and protect it from insects. However, before that, you will have to familiarize yourself with the description of this tool and the nuances of its use for protection of grapes.
