Using copper sulfate in gardening in autumn

Inexpensive and effective copper sulfate is very popular among summer residents. Use of chemicals in gardening in autumn A copper-based fertilizer that has a beneficial effect on the life cycle of plants. The combination of its unique and diverse properties allows it to combat diseases and pests of fruit and berry crops in your garden.

Properties of copper sulfate

Copper sulfate is the pentahydrate of copper sulfate. The composition of this inorganic compound, copper salt, is described by the chemical formula CuSO₄∙5H₂O. This means that five water molecules are attached to one molecule of the base substance via hydrogen bonds.

Copper sulfate — a crystalline salt with an ultramarine hue. The odorless chemical has a bitter taste. When the pentahydrate is heated, H₂O molecules begin to split off, and at temperatures above 260°C, anhydrous white copper sulfate forms. In dissolved form, the substance undergoes a substitution reaction with metals and also reacts actively with alkalis, forming a blue precipitate of copper hydroxide Cu(OH)₂.

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In nature, the compound is common in rocks containing chalcanthite. The mineral, whose composition corresponds to the formula of copper sulfate, occurs in crystals of varying sizes. Large deposits are found in mines in the Northern Urals, near Nizhny Tagil, and in the Transcaucasus. In industrial production, the metallic sulfate salt is obtained from copper waste by dissolving it in sulfuric acid.

Copper sulfate is used in galvanic cells, in the production of mineral dyes, and in leather tanning. In agriculture, copper sulfate is used as a grain dressing and as a plant treatment to combat diseases and pests. Copper salt serves as a starting material for the production of various compounds of the metal with other chemical elements.

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Application in horticulture

Copper is a vital element for plant life. The metal is a component of enzymes that regulate oxidation and reduction processes. Dissolved copper salts have a beneficial effect on nitrogen and carbon metabolism, stimulate photosynthesis and chlorophyll formation, and protect against bacterial and fungal diseases.

Copper sulfate promotes stable shoot growth, develops and strengthens the root system, and increases plant yield. Using copper sulfate in gardening increases the content of ascorbic acid, sugar and starch in vegetables and fruits. Garden treatment with preparationsCopper salt-containing fertilizers increase the frost resistance of agricultural crops. Copper sulfate is used in autumn gardening for various purposes. The dosage for each application is specific.

Countryside antiseptic

Every year, autumn pruning is carried out in the garden. Gardeners must cut down damaged, diseased, and old branches. Knots protruding from the trunks are also removed. This causes wounds to the tree. Furthermore, a lack of micronutrients and unfavorable climatic conditions cause the bark to crack. The resulting cracks become a haven for harmful insect larvae and fungal infections.

To ensure the plant survives the trauma of pruning, damaged areas and cracks in the bark are disinfected with an antiseptic. A blue chemical works well for this purpose.

The dosage and treatment of plants with copper sulfate in the fall have their own specific requirements. To prepare a 1% copper sulfate solution, dissolve 100 g of the chemical in 10 liters of water. Add shavings of laundry soap to the resulting mixture. The detergent will prevent autumn rains from quickly washing the solution off the tree trunk.

Treatment of exposed wood is combined with spraying the entire plant; more substrate is applied to areas of open wounds.

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A healing fungicide

Thanks to its bactericidal properties, copper sulfate is effective in preventing diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms and harmful insects. In gardening, copper salt used to combat such tree and shrub diseases as:

• late blight;
• powdery mildew;
• root fungus;
• rust of bark and leaves;
• scab of fruit trees and root crops.

The proportions of the components and the procedure for preparing the solution are described on the product packaging. A 3% copper crystalline hydrate solution is typically used for spraying trees.

Copper-sulfur fertilizer

In autumn gardening, copper sulfate is used to improve soil fertility. The substances added to the soil nourish plants and replenish deficiencies in growth-stimulating elements. Copper sulfate is used as a standalone product and as part of complex fertilizers. Copper salt is used to make copper-potassium fertilizers and double superphosphate.

A Cu deficiency in the soil is detected by the plant's appearance. Numerous new shoots appear on the trees, which quickly dry out and die. The leaves turn pale green, and the edges turn white. Cracks appear in the bark. A copious secretion of gum begins.

Over-fertilizing the soil with copper fertilizers is undesirable. Excessive CuSO₄∙5H₂O causes brown spots on the leaf surface, so a low-concentration solution is recommended. To prepare the solution, use 5 g of crystalline powder per 10 liters of water. The recommended application rate is 5 liters of liquid per square meter.

Processing rose bushes

Any garden plant needs to be prepared for winter cold. Rose bushes are no exception. A rose bush's unpreparedness can be determined by the presence of reddish shoots. This indicates that the rose hasn't accumulated enough carbohydrates and is continuing to grow. In this case, phosphorus fertilizer should be added to the soil and the shoots should be pinched back. Soon the leaves will turn green, and pre-winter treatments can begin. Preparing roses for winter is carried out in stages:

1. Pruning dry and diseased branches and leaves, which are then burned.
2. Cleaning and loosening the soil around the rose.
3. Preparation of a solution of sulphate salt.
4. Treat the plant and surrounding soil with a chemical. Approximately 1 liter of solution is used per plant.

When spraying roses, use a 3% solution of the preparation. This concentration is achieved by diluting 30 g of copper sulfate in 1 liter of water. After all treatments, cover the plant with spruce branches or a special synthetic covering material.

Precautionary measures

This moderately toxic chemical is classified as a hazard class IV substance. Harmful effects become apparent when 0.5 g of the compound is ingested. The lethal dose depends on the person's age, weight, and physical condition and can range from 40 to 120 g.

If copper sulfate enters the digestive tract, the victim's stomach should be rinsed with a dilute solution of potassium permanganate. Diuretics and laxatives should also be used. Dry contact with the skin is harmless, but it is advisable to wash it off immediately. If the product gets into the eyes, rinse them thoroughly and continuously with a gentle stream of running water.

When preparing the copper sulfate solution and spraying garden plants, wear gloves and a respirator. A hygienic medical mask and clear goggles can be used instead. Store the chemical in a tightly sealed glass or plastic container out of the reach of children. Keep the product away from food and animal feed.

The effect of using copper sulfate The importance of this chemical in a garden plot is difficult to overestimate. The chemical is sold in specialized gardening stores and building materials supermarkets. Anyone can prepare and use the working solution in the garden, and following safety precautions is easy.