Copper and iron sulfate: instructions for treating cucumbers

Cucumbers

To ensure a good harvest, plants need to be provided with essential micronutrients and protected from pests and diseases. To avoid spending money on expensive products, copper and iron sulfate are used—they are effective and inexpensive for treating cucumbers. The main thing is to follow the rules for preparing and using solutions.

Features of copper sulfate

The product is classified as toxic and has a hazard class of 3. When handling it, be sure to wear protective equipment: a respirator, rubber gloves, and goggles. It causes poisoning if ingested.

Copper sulfate (also known as copper sulfate) has the formula CuSO4*H2O. It is a blue or light blue crystalline substance. It contains 24% copper. It is used both for preparing solutions and in dry form. Copper sulfate has an unlimited shelf life if properly packaged.

It does not dissolve in cold or warm water. Therefore, when preparing the mixture, use liquid with a temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Celsius.

Features of ferrous sulfate

It's less toxic than copper sulfate, but protective equipment should still be used when working with it. It's formed by the reaction of ferrous iron with sulfuric acid. It's the richest source of iron, comprising 53% of its composition.

It has a crystalline structure very similar to salt. It is blue in color with a distinct green tint. It dissolves readily in warm water. It is used exclusively in aqueous solutions; plants cannot absorb it in its dry form.

Important!

Do not prepare solutions using these compounds in iron containers. They will react with the metal. Glass or plastic containers are better.

Benefits of using when growing cucumbers

These products are used at all stages of cultivation, from seed preparation to disease protection. They are effective in pest control and as a source of micronutrients.

Main purposes of use:

Fungal disease prevention. Treating planting material, soil, and young plants significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Pest control. Copper sulfate components inhibit whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, and many other insects.
Early-stage disease control. This solution can kill most fungal diseases at their earliest stages. If the disease has spread extensively, it's best to use specialized treatments.
Fertilizing cucumbers and preventing micronutrient deficiencies. Copper deficiency causes poor plant growth, while iron deficiency causes chlorosis.

To avoid harming plants, strictly adhere to the proportions when preparing the solution. The solution should not be stored for long periods of time; it should be prepared immediately before use to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Uses for growing cucumbers

Copper and iron sulfate should be used according to a specific schedule. They should not be used too frequently, as an excess of micronutrients is just as harmful as a deficiency. There are several application options, each with its own benefits:

Preparing seeds for planting: Use a 2% copper sulfate solution. Soak the seeds in it for 9 hours; this will kill any infections and ensure faster and more consistent germination. After soaking, be sure to rinse the seeds in warm water.
Pre-plant soil treatment for cucumbers. Prepare a 3% copper sulfate solution and water the beds at a rate of one liter of solution per square meter. This should be done a week before planting. A whitish coating may appear on the soil; this is normal. A garden watering can is easiest to use.
Disinfection of greenhouses and hotbeds. When growing cucumbers indoors, treat the interior of the structures with a 3% copper sulfate solution before planting. Apply with a brush or spray. Do not use the solution on bare metal; if any, paint or cover them with plastic wrap first.
Applying a micronutrient to the soil. Copper deficiency is common in peatlands, sandy soils, and sandy loam soils. Apply as a dry powder in the spring before tilling or plowing. Apply approximately 1 gram per square meter, spreading the mixture evenly over the entire surface. Apply no more than once every 5 years, as the soil becomes very saturated.
Foliar feeding for iron or copper deficiency. If iron is deficient, use a 0.1% solution of ferrous sulfate (10 g per bucket of water). If copper is deficient, use a 0.03% solution (3 g per bucket of water). Spray the foliage, preferably with a spray bottle for an even layer, focusing on the undersides of the leaves and stems.
Preventative treatment against diseases and pests. Prepare a 3% copper sulfate solution and apply it to cucumbers at least two weeks before flowering. Perform this treatment if the plants are attacked by pests or affected by fungal diseases every year.

Important!

Apply foliar fertilizer only in the morning or evening. Water evaporates much more slowly, and micronutrients are better absorbed by the plant.

When growing cucumbers, copper sulfate is used much more often due to its antiseptic properties. However, iron sulfate should also be used at least once a season. If the plants show signs of chlorosis (leaves turning yellow while the veins remain green), then treat the problem every two weeks.

Fighting diseases

Using copper sulfate on cucumbers as a disease control agent is not difficult. To maximize effectiveness, strictly follow the proportions and choose the right recipe.

The composition helps with the following diseases:

Gray mold. Mix a tablespoon of fine wood ash with a teaspoon of copper sulfate, crushed in a mortar. Sprinkle the mixture over all affected areas to prevent the disease from spreading.
Root rot. Prepare a solution of one liter of water, two tablespoons of copper sulfate, and one cup of wood ash. Wet the lower part of the stems generously to a height of approximately 20 cm and water the root zone of the plants. Alternatively, you can make a solution by adding one teaspoon each of copper sulfate, superphosphate, and zinc sulfate to a bucket of water. Water the soil at a rate of 5 liters per square meter.
Downy mildew or penosporosis. Use Bordeaux mixture to treat plants; the recipe is described below.
Powdery mildew. First, dissolve 7 g of copper sulfate and 100 g of laundry soap (preferably grated) in water separately. Then add both solutions to a bucket of warm water to make a total of 10 liters of the finished solution. Treat the plants thoroughly, being careful not to miss any areas.
Ascochyta blight. Prepare a solution of 5 g of copper sulfate, 10 g of urea, and 10 liters of water. Apply to plants in the evening after sunset. Spray cucumbers at least twice, 7 days apart.

Preparation of solutions and features of their application

To ensure the effectiveness of the product, the copper sulfate must be diluted correctly. Without this, the treatment will be ineffective. These recommendations apply to all types of solutions.

Follow these simple rules:

Use only plastic or glass containers. Do not use buckets or other food-grade containers. It's best to have accurate scales on hand to ensure accurate dosing.
Dissolve the required amount of copper sulfate in a small amount of hot water. The optimal temperature is 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, but it can be dissolved at 50 degrees Celsius if you stir vigorously until the precipitate completely disappears.
When using multiple components, it's best to add the copper sulfate solution last. To ensure better surface adhesion, you can add a small amount of soap to all foliar treatments.
Do not store the prepared solution. Prepare it only as long as needed, as it quickly loses its properties.

Safety precautions when using

Since these chemicals are toxic, safety precautions should be taken when working with them. Avoid wearing short-sleeved clothing, even on hot days. It's best to work away from children to avoid any potential problems.

Remember the following:

Work only with rubber gloves, a respirator, and safety glasses. Avoid splashing the solution on mucous membranes.
Store in a cool, dark place. The ingredients are sold in sachets, but it's best to use a tightly sealed glass or plastic jar. Keep away from food. Eliminate any possibility of children finding the ingredients.
Prepare the solutions outdoors. If you have to do this indoors, open windows or turn on ventilation. When pouring the dry mixture, make sure it doesn't get blown away by the wind.
Avoid spraying cucumbers in windy conditions. This is especially dangerous when spraying – fine mists easily travel long distances and can cause poisoning to people or animals.
Wash your hands and face thoroughly with soap after work. Do this even if nothing came into contact with your skin. Wash protective equipment and all used equipment thoroughly.
Do not harvest cucumbers for at least 5 days after treatment. It's better to wait 7-10 days. Wash the fruit thoroughly, as the copper sulfate settles on the surface and does not penetrate.