Treating grapes in spring against diseases and pests

A successful grape harvest depends largely on proper agricultural practices. These include disease and pest control throughout the season. Treatments begin in early spring, and it's important to know which products will be most beneficial and effective during this period.

Timely spring spraying minimizes the risk of plantings being attacked by infections and dangerous pests. Subsequent care is simplified, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals in the summer.

Why cultivate a vineyard in spring?

The main goal of spring treatments for grapevines is to prevent diseases and reduce the risk of insect infestation. It's easier to prevent a problem than to spend time and effort later on treating the vines or getting rid of spider mites or aphids.

Spring treatments don't preclude summer treatments, but they help significantly reduce the risk of disease. Summer weather is difficult to predict. Prolonged rains, drought, and cool temperatures all impact the health of vineyards and their yield. Treated plantings are less attractive to pests, reducing the risk of diseases, and increasing yields.

Methods:

• spraying;
• cultivating the soil around the bushes.

The bush sleeves, trunks, vines, and tree trunk circles are treated.

Chemical compounds, biological preparations, and folk remedies are used. Effective and environmentally safe formulations made from natural ingredients are suitable for prevention. However, when infections occur, these are often ineffective, forcing the use of chemicals.

Soil cultivation includes loosening the top layer (up to 13-15 cm) in the tree trunk circle, mulching with compost and peat.

Grape diseases

Among the most common infections that threaten the culture are:

• mildew;
• gray and black rot;
• oidium;
• anthracnose;
• septoria;
• chlorosis.

Fungal infections are dangerous because they spread too quickly throughout plantings, damaging shoots, leaves, and the berries themselves. Prevention diseases more effective than the treatment itself, while requiring less financial costs.

What grape pests need to be controlled in the spring?

Before the summer heat sets in, it's a good idea to treat vineyards against the dangerous and insidious phylloxera aphid. There are no effective pest control products, so preventative spraying is especially important.

Among the insects that cause the greatest damage to vineyards are:

• grape mites (spider, leaf and felt);
• leaf rollers;
• May beetles.

Pest larvae overwinter in the soil and plant debris around tree trunks. With the onset of warmer weather, the pests become active, transitioning from hibernation to a period of wakefulness and further development. During this time, it's important to follow the recommended spraying schedule.

When to process grapes in spring

In most regions of Russia, the crop is grown under cover. In early spring, with the arrival of warmer weather, the vines are gradually uncovered, tied to trellis wire, and aired after wintering. Once the cover is completely removed, preparations for the new season begin.

Deadlines:

1. Immediately after opening the bushes after wintering. middle zone – first half of April, late March in the south. They rely on the weather, preventing vines that are still fragile after the winter from being exposed to recurrent frosts. Fungicides are used.
2. The second time, grape bushes are sprayed is in the second half of April. At this time, buds are opening and the first leaves are appearing. Insecticides are used to control dangerous pests. If insects were detected on the bushes last season, the insecticide treatment is repeated (approximately 10-12 days later).
3. The third treatment occurs after the bushes have flowered. This final procedure uses a mixture of products.

The choice of treatment depends on the varieties planted in the area and the overall condition of the plants. If the plantings are healthy, and there were no outbreaks of infections or insect infestations last year, then folk remedies and low-toxicity chemicals are sufficient.

If pest infestations and diseases have been present in previous seasons, spring treatments will require more attention. Folk remedies alone won't suffice; highly effective insecticides and fungicides are essential.

How to treat grapes in spring

A gardener's arsenal should include various spray preparations grape vine.

Drug groups:

• chemical (active substance – a compound of chemical elements);
• biological (based on bacteria that cause the death of pathogens and microorganisms);
• products prepared according to folk recipes.

The compositions are also divided according to their intended purpose:

• fungicides (suppress fungal infections);
• insecticides (aimed against insect pests).

When choosing, take into account climatic conditions, grape varieties, their resistance to diseases and pests.

Chemicals

For spring treatment of grape vines, universal preparations with a wide range of effects are usually used.

Bordeaux mixture

A protective agent effective against mildew and anthracnose. Formulations are available in various concentrations:

• 3% - for spraying before bud break
• 1% - after flowering of bushes.

Effective for 8-12 days. Compatible with all major medications, with the exception of those containing thiram.

Copper sulfate

Refers to fungicidal A broad-spectrum agent. Used to prevent fungal infections and is highly effective.

For initial spring treatments, use a concentration of 300 grams per bucket of water; for repeat preventative treatments, use 100 grams per 10 liters. The effect lasts 7-14 days. Do not use the product during the grapevine flowering period.

Ferrous sulfate

Spraying grape plantings with a solution of ferrous sulfate yields good results. It is used:

• to protect against damage by gray mold, mildew, and anthracnose;
• to delay the timing of bud break in case of unfavorable weather forecast.

Working solution: dilute 500 grams of the product in a bucket of water. Timing of application: immediately after uncovering the bushes, before bud break.

Ridomil Gold

A proven systemic and contact mildew control product. Hazard Class II.

The main active ingredient is mancozeb.

Directions: Use 10 grams of product per 4 liters of water. The granules dissolve quickly in water, providing protection for up to two weeks.

Quadris

A product that is highly compatible with other fungicides. Active ingredient: azoxystrobin. Effects: Against fungal diseases (mildew, oidium). Timing of application: before and after flowering.

In addition to suppressing fungal infections, Quadris helps increase grape yields and improve the taste of berries.

https://youtu.be/yChNVlyropI

Colloidal sulfur

A broad-spectrum product used to prevent mildew and oidium outbreaks. It has a long-lasting effect and is considered one of the best spring preventatives.

Application: Spray grapes before bud break. Application: 40 grams per bucket of cool water. It is recommended to apply the product simultaneously with copper-based products.

Vermitek

Vermitek is a powerful pest control product against spider mites and grape itch mites. It quickly penetrates plant tissue and leaves no stains on the crop.

Active ingredient: abamectin. Directions: dilute 5-8 ml per bucket of water.

Spray the plantings with Vermitek immediately after the bushes open, during the period of bud swelling.

Bi-58

A new generation of products used for grapes is BI-58, a contact insecticide. Its active ingredient is dimethoate. In the spring, grapes are sprayed with a BI-58 solution as a preventative measure against spider mites, felt mites, and aphids.

Working solution: dilute one ampoule of the product (5 ml) in a bucket of water.

Use the solution immediately after preparation. Diluted BI-58 solution is not suitable for storage.

Biological agents

Actofit

The product contains products produced by a soil fungus that attack insect pests. Actofit (also known as agravertin or acarin) is effective on grapes against grape leaf rollers and spider mites.

Use: Preventative, immediately after insects appear. Working solution: dilute 20 ml of Actofit in a bucket of water. It is recommended to add soap shavings or shampoo to the solution for adhesion. Wait two days.

Trichodermin

The product is based on the saprophyte Trichoderma, which converts organic matter into inorganic compounds. It suppresses over 50 different infections and is available in granular and liquid form.

Non-toxic, compatible with other products (tank mixtures).

Working solution: dilute 50 ml of the product in a bucket of water. It is preferable to use non-chlorinated water. The first treatment should be at bud break, then 20 days later (as a preventative measure). It is recommended to treat the bushes in cloudy weather or after rain. Trichoderma is highly active in high humidity.

Fitosporin

The product is based on hay bacillus and also contains humic additives. It is renowned among gardeners for its effectiveness.

There is no waiting period; the results depend on weather conditions. Grapes are treated in the spring during bud break, and again after flowering.

Working solution: dilute 15 ml of Fitosporin in a bucket of water. It's best to first make a concentrated solution (in two liters of water), then dilute it to a full ten-liter volume.

Mikosan

An effective biopreparation based on mycosan, a substance derived from fungal cells. Used in vineyards as a preventative measure, it provides protection against fungal diseases and increases resistance to adverse weather conditions.

Application time: when the first leaves appear. Working solution: dilute 100 ml of Mikosan per 4 liters. Do not use in tank mixes with other biological products.

Ecogel

Ecogel is recommended for watering grape vines at the roots and for spraying before leaf sprouting. It contains chitosan, which activates the plant's protective functions and helps boost immunity.

As a result, grapes are able to resist dangerous fungal and bacterial diseases. Plants are watered at the roots before the first leaves appear, and sprayed after the leaves emerge.

Good results are achieved by using biopreparations Planriz, Nematophagin, and Gaupsin in spring.

Folk remedies

Natural-based treatments help combat fungal spores and pest infestations. These include:

• baking soda;
• ash;
• iodine;
• onion peel;
• garlic;
• potassium permanganate.

In spring, it is useful to treat grape vines with the following compounds:

1. Milk solution. Add a liter of low-fat milk to a bucket of water and stir. Spray to prevent powdery mildew.
2. During the budding stage, a mixture of laundry soap and ash is recommended. The mixture is diluted 1:1 in a bucket of cool water.
3. An iodine solution will protect against the appearance of gray mold: dilute a bottle in five liters of water and spray the vines when the leaves appear.
4. Garlic tincture produces good results. It helps against all types of mites and scabies. Mix 50 grams of crushed garlic cloves in 500 ml of water. Then dilute the mixture with water to make one liter. Apply to the vines in early spring, then again before flowering.
5. Before and after the onion peels have developed their color, use an infusion of onion peels. To do this, take half a ten-liter bucket of peels, fill it with water, and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Then remove the peels, let them sit for 24-30 hours, and strain. Add a little honey (a tablespoon is enough), stir, and spray the bushes.

What are some common mistakes gardeners make?

Even experienced winegrowers don't always properly treat their spring crops. Common mistakes:

1. Failure to adhere to treatment schedules. Spraying is carried out immediately after the vines open, then intervals are maintained, taking into account weather conditions and the condition of the plants. No treatments are carried out during the flowering period. Afterwards, preventative measures are resumed, the plantings are monitored, and the application schedule is adjusted.
2. The concentrations of drug solutions are disrupted.
3. Lack of preventative measures. Beginner gardeners, being extremely busy in the spring, often skip treatments, leading to disease outbreaks and crop losses.

Spring treatments are an important part of overall agricultural management. Without preventative measures, grapes are vulnerable to pests and diseases. Treatments in late spring are often ineffective, and the risk of crop and plant damage is high. Therefore, it's best not to experiment; it's best to follow the advice of experts and treat your plants according to recommendations.

Reviews

Evgeniy, Belgorod

I always have a grape harvest, and I find spring treatments very helpful. Over the years, I've developed my own regimen, and I sometimes make adjustments. I usually treat with Thanos and Topaz before flowering. After flowering, I use Topaz combined with Ridomil. This completely controls powdery mildew. Mildew occasionally shows up, but rarely.

Sergey, Kursk region

I always spray the vines in the spring, but the main work still falls in the summer. I always tailor my schedule to the weather conditions. In my climate, the main enemies are mildew and oidium. Therefore, I apply Topaz and Ridomil in April, and Topaz after flowering. The last three years, the summers have been nice and dry, so there has been no mildew. This is partly due to preventative measures.