How to make Bordeaux mixture at home

Amateur gardeners and professionals have long used Bordeaux mixture in the fight against fungal and bacterial diseases that harm the development of plants. Cooking Bordeaux mixture is a simple process. The main components in it are copper sulfate and slaked lime.

It is important to maintain the correct proportion and sequence of actions. Apply to plants immediately after preparation. Suitable for the application and treatment of almost all types of plants.

What is Bordeaux mixture and what is it used for

The composition of the mixture is aimed at destroying parasites, preventing and destroying fungi and bacteria growing on plants.

Application of the drug:

• spraying currants to prevent septoria and anthracnose;
• processing of potatoes and tomatoes from late blight;
• for cucumbers, in order to prevent and prevent the development of peronosporosis, etc.

The wide spectrum of action, ease of preparation and the availability of components made the mixture popular. The effectiveness of the drug also played an important role.

Preparation

In order for the liquid to be not only effective, but also not to harm the treated plants, the proportions must be observed exactly. There are two types of Bordeaux mixture: 1% and 3%. It is suggested to consider both options, and most importantly follow the recipe.

Solution 1%

Preparation of Bordeaux mixture (1%) begins with the purchase of components, preparation of containers.

Then, everything needs to be done as follows:

• pour copper sulfate (100 g) into 1 liter of hot water;
• pour another 4 liters of water (only cold);
• in a similar way, lime is dissolved in another container (120 g per 1 liter of water) and 4 liters of already cold liquid are also poured;
• before mixing, you need to strain the lime (pass it through cheesecloth, rolled several times);
• the resulting lime solution is poured, stirring, into the dissolved copper sulfate (but not vice versa!).

Note! Use not boiling water, but moderately hot water. The last point above the presented list is important for execution.

Solution 3%

Sometimes for processing it will be necessary to prepare a three percent solution of Bordeaux liquid. This will require 300 g of copper sulfate and 100 g more lime.

Otherwise, the procedure is no different, and the end result is 10 liters of ready-made Bordeaux liquid.

How to check the quality of the mixture

Checking the correctness of the proportions of the solution is as follows:

1. Reaction to acidity. If this parameter is exceeded, a regular nail that you dip into the solution will be covered with a layer of copper.
2. A too alkaline solution is determined in the same way, but instead of copper, the nail will turn blue.

In the first case, a little lime is added, and in the second, on the contrary, copper sulfate.A properly prepared 3% Bordeaux mixture will have no reaction. The solution cannot be used without testing!

How the solution is applied

The liquid is used to treat plants in cold weather. This condition must be observed so as not to harm the leaves (otherwise they can burn).

During the growing season, plants are treated with a 1% solution. Be sure to observe safety precautions when working with the drug.

Consumption and dosage

Adherence to the correct dosage will help the drug to become most effective.

The dosage is as follows:

• large shrubs and trees (including fruit and berry, coniferous and deciduous) 15-20 l / 100 sq.
• vine plantations and medium shrubs 10-15 l / 100 sq.;
• small bushes (strawberries, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes) - 5-10 l / 100 sq.

In the case of processing a large tree, when signs of fungal infection appear, the proportions are used differently. In particular, a 1% solution can be consumed at the rate of 10-15 liters for each tree.

Instructions for use

The liquid is used several times. In particular, in early spring, before the buds open and after that, the treatment is carried out using a 3% solution. A solution of 1% is used during the early growing season.

Works are carried out:

1. In the spring. The purpose of this processing is to eliminate disputes. And despite the autumn processing, pathogenic bacteria can survive the winter and begin to develop safely and harm the plant. The same applies to harmful microorganisms that live in the soil. Subsequent plant treatments are carried out using a 1% solution. Important conditions: dry and warm weather (not hot!), And as for the time of day - morning or evening.
2. Autumn. Such processing is carried out in November. It is this period that is considered the most favorable, since the foliage is no longer there, and microorganisms are vulnerable. During this period, the risk of harming the plant, even using a concentrated solution, is minimal.

Proper processing is effective enough to kill bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Precautionary measures

If you intend to work with Bordeaux mixture, you need to understand that it is toxic to humans. Working without observing safety measures can lead to extremely negative consequences for a person.

There are some basic tips to know:

• it is necessary to dilute the composition and spray it in closed clothes and gloves (contact with the skin can cause a burn);
• in order not to inhale fumes (which are extremely toxic), you need to use a respirator;
• if the solution gets into the mouth, poisoning cannot be avoided (main signs: chills, increased salivation, vomiting, metallic taste).

In the event that at least one symptom manifests itself, you need to immediately call an ambulance or consult a doctor.

How to replace Bordeaux liquid

Copper and iron vitriol are analogs of Bordeaux liquid. Copper sulphate is stronger in properties; it is offered on the market in the form of turquoise granules. This drug is slightly soluble in water.

As for the properties, some of them can be identified:

• in terms of toxicity, copper sulfate is worse than Bordeaux liquid;
• in terms of fixing on foliage, again inferior to the mixture;
• during rains, it can be washed off from foliage;
• application is permissible in a short time.

As you can see, the Bordeaux mixture is more perfect than its counterparts.At the same time, it remains a budget option, easy to use and with a wide range of actions.

Video: how to prepare Bordeaux liquid?