Bordeaux liquid for beginner gardeners seems to be something incomprehensible and difficult to use. Experienced people will say that there is nothing complicated here. And they will be right. Having prepared it yourself for the first time according to these instructions, you will understand that everything is quite simple. The main thing is to properly prepare it so that the processing is beneficial.

Bordeaux liquid was invented 100 years ago and is still effectively used by all gardeners around the world. This is a mixture of milk of lime and copper sulfate, a popular and effective insecticide used to treat fruit trees, shrubs, and vegetables. A universal preparation that protects plantings not only from fungal, but also from bacterial infections.

In addition to treatment from plant diseases, the solution nourishes with a microelement - copper. Copper deficiency is more common in peaty and acidic sandy soils. Crops grown under such conditions suffer from chlorosis, which is manifested by a lag in the development and growth of the plant.

How to make Bordeaux liquid

The main active ingredient is copper sulphate, but its aqueous solution is a rather strong acid, which can burn the plant during processing. In order to neutralize the action of the acid, lime is used - alkali.

In the original recipe, it is better to use quicklime, that is, you must first extinguish the lime, and then use the resulting mass. Much easier to do otherwise. It is better to buy a special Bordeaux mixture. Here, the required amount of vitriol and lime (fluff) has already been measured. The package contains 100 g of copper sulfate and 200 g of slaked lime.

This package is designed to prepare a 1% solution for 10 liters of water. If you are conducting the first autumn spraying, then you need to prepare a 3% solution. So, for its preparation, 3 such packages are needed for a bucket of water.

How to do it right

Prepare 2 plastic buckets, in one of them we will plant vitriol, in the other - lime. Never use iron buckets to prepare solutions.

1. First, we breed vitriol. Pour 100 g (half a glass) into a bucket, add a little water first and stir. Shaking the bucket, let the powder dissolve. Then add up to 5 liters of water. For dissolution, it is better to use moderately hot water, so the powder will dissolve faster.
2. We open the package with lime. It's small in the package. Naturally, if it gets on the mucous membranes, it can cause a burn, so be careful and careful. Better breed. Put on a respirator or mask. Gently pour the lime into a bucket, add a little water, stirring with a stick so that there are no lumps. Then add the remaining 5 liters of water to the bucket. Mix thoroughly.
3. When both solutions are ready, they are mixed. Pour the vitriol into the lime in a thin stream, constantly stirring with a stick. When mixed, a beautiful blue color is obtained.

Do not confuse! We pour vitriol into the liquid! And not vice versa.

Application in horticulture

A 3% solution of Bordeaux liquid is used for early spring processing, when the buds have not yet swollen. The same concentration is used for late autumn processing at the end of November. In different regions, the dates are different, March - April. The rest of the time, spraying is carried out with a 1% solution. The multiplicity of processing, concentration and what it is used for can be seen in this table.

Observe the concentration of the prepared liquid. An improperly prepared solution of Bordeaux liquid, for example, when using its own lime, the concentration may be impaired. By treating plants with such a solution, you can burn the leaves. If the concentration is less, you will not get the expected result after processing. This can be checked using the litmus paper that comes with the package.

The reaction should be neutral or slightly alkaline. This will be indicated by coloring the paper in blue. If it turns red, add some milk of lime to the solution and check again.

You can check the correct concentration of the solution in a simple way. Dip any iron object (nail, wire, knife, etc.) into the liquid. If there is an excess of copper, then red spots will remain on the surface - traces of copper. If not, then the solution is normal and can be used.

• When mixing, the solutions should be cooled down, so you get a good working solution.
• It is forbidden to add water to the already prepared working solution.
• Spraying is best done from a special sprayer.
• Be sure to filter the working solution before spraying.
• Wear protective clothing, gloves, respirator or mask when spraying. After work, remove protective clothing and be sure to wash your hands and face.
• Use the prepared solution on the day of its preparation. The next day, the beneficial properties of the insecticide are lost.
• Processing is carried out in dry and cool weather, since high humidity can burn the leaves.
• It is advisable to thoroughly moisten the plant completely before treatment with Bordeaux liquid, so that the liquid flowing down gets into all the cracks in the bark. It is there that the greatest number of fungi and bacteria, as well as pests, accumulate.

Analogues of Bordeaux liquid

For beginners, dilution and application of Bordeaux liquid will seem difficult. Therefore, it is often asked whether there are similar fungicides that are easy to use and equally effective. On sale there are drugs:

• Abigo Peak,
• Kuproksat,

The price of such drugs is not high, and they are no less effective. There are other, more effective drugs that "treat" the plant from the inside. Of course they cost a little more. These include Oksikhom and Polyhom. The advantage of their use is that they can be mixed with pest control products, as well as stimulants and fertilizers. Of course, Bordeaux liquid cannot work like that, it cannot be mixed with anything.

There are preparations much stronger than Bordeaux liquid: Strobi, Kvardis, Skor, Ridomil, Akrabat and Vectra.

A ready-made solution of Bordeaux liquid is also on sale - a concentrate in a bottle. For use, the finished water-suspension concentrate is diluted with water, according to the instructions for use. In this case, it is not necessary to separately dilute the components, combine them and check the correct concentration.

Quite by accident, at the end of the 19th century, a farmer from the city of Bordeaux (France) invented a mixture for processing his vineyards. To do this, he mixed lime and mortars. The effectiveness of this drug shocked all winegrowers of Bordeaux. It is used in the fight against fungal and bacterial diseases.

Benefits of the mixture

1. Long lasting on treated plants. At the same time, the quality of the effectiveness of this pesticide is not lost.
2. Bordeaux mixture is a chemical preparation that has a high fungicidal activity. This means that it is very effective in fighting fungi and their spores.
3. The treated plants have a good visibility of the quality of spraying.
4. The ease of preparation of this mixture and its low cost compared to other similar products are additional pluses for buyers.
5. For all its effectiveness, this liquid is very gentle on plants.
6. Plants treated with Bordeaux liquid 3 hours before rain have time to get the necessary protection. This mixture in this case has good resistance to rain.

Disadvantages of the drug

1. Used immediately after preparation. Keep no more than a day.
2. When preparing the mixture, you have to use 2 containers. Lime is quenched in one container. Copper sulphate is dissolved in another.
3. Do not use metal products. Use clay, wooden and glass containers.
4. If the mixture is prepared incorrectly, without observing the preparation technology, then such a solution can harm the treated plants. In this case, they will receive severe burns when spraying, or will not bring a positive result.

Compound

These are separate powders of copper sulphate and lime in a dry state.

This drug is in the liquid state a compound of solutions of these substances.

Depending on the processed types of vegetation, the time of year of use, a solution of a certain concentration is prepared. In some cases, it is necessary to prepare a 3% liquid, in other situations, a 1% preparation is required.

Solution preparation

1% solution

For 10 liters of such a chemical preparation you need:

1. Pour 100 g of crushed copper sulphate with a small amount of warm water (no more than 50 ° C).
2. Bring the resulting volume to 9 liters.
3. In the second container, it is necessary to dilute 100 g of lime with water at room temperature. Take a small amount of liquid. This water is added in small portions. You need to get a creamy liquid. Add enough water to get 1 liter of this solution.
4. The resulting lime "milk" is filtered.
5. A solution of copper sulfate is gradually poured into lime while constantly stirring. The injected jet must be very thin. The operation must be carried out when both fluids are at room temperature.
6. The color of the prepared liquid indicates its correct preparation.

   If it has a blue color, this indicates proper preparation.

   Additionally, you need to determine its reaction: acidic or slightly alkaline. Better if it is the second option. A drug that has an acid reaction is very phytotoxic (suppresses the growth and development of plants). Slightly alkaline adheres very well to the treated surface of plants.

7. Strongly alkaline drug is short-term in its action.
8. The easiest way to determine the reaction of a liquid is to dip a clean new nail or metal wire into it. If, after 1-1.5 minutes, metal products are covered with a reddish coating, the environment is acidic. This condition can be corrected for a slightly alkaline reaction by adding a solution of lime to it.
9. Filter the mixture through a very fine kitchen sieve or loose cloth just before spraying.

3% solution

The whole technological process is the same as discussed earlier. The difference is that in this case 300 gr. vitriol and 300 gr. lime. Each of these powders is gradually dissolved in 5 liters of water (vitriol in warm, lime at room temperature). The whole technology is similar to the previous instructions.

Application

1% composition use as a re-spray during flowering and the appearance of small ovaries on fruit trees. The first time the treatment is carried out with a stronger, 3% composition. Applies in the fight against scab, leaf spot, at phyllostictosis(brown spot, fungal disease), moniliose(fertile rot, fungal disease). The same solution is used for protection from downy mildew on grapes and from late blight on vegetables.

3% mixture is used in spring and autumn periods for processing garden, fruit and berry plants. In autumn, they are applied after the leaves have fallen from the leaf trees. In the spring, you need to spray with a liquid before the buds open.

The principle of using this mixture is that it must be applied to healthy plants. Thus, it protects them from diseases. Such preventive work is more effective than treatment, especially for advanced forms of diseases, it allows plants to have a protective "screen" from pathogenic bacteria and fungal pests.

This chemical product is applied in cloudy dry weather. On a hot sunny day, plants can also get burned from a properly prepared preparation of the recommended concentration. The time of day for such work is early morning (without dew on plants) or in the evening. It is not recommended to carry out processing on days of expected precipitation.

The old-fashioned method of spraying with a household broom is ineffective, since the broom sprays the plants unevenly. In addition, there is a large loss of the drug, which flows down the broom before splashing. Efficient is the work performed by the sprayer.

Step by Step Guide to Applying Bordeaux Blend

1. Spraying is carried out in early spring before and during bud break..
2. Prepare 3% Bordeaux mixture according to the instructions (see above).
3. Fill the manual or electric garden sprayer with the prepared liquid.
4. Take precautions, wear overalls, gloves and goggles.
5. Handle:
   • fruit trees: non-fruiting seedlings: up to 2 liters per tree. fruiting up to 10 l;

The most effective means of combating numerous diseases of fruit, berry and vegetable crops remains Bordeaux mixture.

Its solution is used to treat apple and pear trees from scab and fruit rot, stone fruits - from perforated spotting and gray rot, raspberries - from purple spotting, currants and gooseberries - from anthracnose and septoria, tomatoes - from phytophthora, peach - from curly leaves, grapes - from mildew, etc.

The best results are obtained by early spring spraying. Before bud break (on bare branches and vines), a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture is sprayed, and during the growing season (on leaves), a 1% solution is prepared so as not to burn the foliage.
Spray on the leaves no more than 3 times, and stop processing on berry bushes 25-30 days before picking berries, on apple trees - 15 days before picking the fruit.

During the period of flowering and fruiting, Bordeaux mixture is not used and copper-containing preparations are not used, since from them the fruits are covered with a brown mesh and crack.
In autumn, it is used after the final harvest.

Solution preparation

The effectiveness of spraying plants largely depends on the quality of the solution. A properly prepared working solution has a light blue color, a uniform consistency (no flakes) and a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction, which is checked using indicator paper or any metal product (bolt, nail, nut, metal strip) without rust.

Litmus paper turns red in an acidic environment and blue in an alkaline environment. A metal object in an acidic environment is covered with a reddish-copper coating, and in an alkaline environment it acquires a blue color.

In order to bring the finished solution of the Bordeaux mixture with an acidic reaction to a neutral or slightly alkaline state, a solution of lime (milk of lime) is gradually added to it, and after each addition its reaction is checked.

When used for spraying a solution with an acidic reaction, there is a high probability of burning the leaves, which then fall off. It is best to use a solution with a slightly alkaline or neutral reaction.

Contains in the ratio 1:1 two main components: copper sulphate and slaked lime. To prepare Bordeaux liquid, they are dissolved in water, each in a separate container, and then a solution of lime is poured into a solution of copper sulfate in a thin stream and they are constantly mixed with any wooden object.
At the time of connection, both solutions should be cold. And the colder the better.

Quicklime is poured with water and the container is immediately covered with a lid, because a violent reaction occurs. 100 g of lime is poured into 1 liter of water, and after quenching, it is diluted to the desired volume. The solution is allowed to cool.

You can pay off more lime at once, because it will come in handy during the season. Unused slaked lime can be stored until next year in a room with positive temperature. Frozen lime loses its properties.

For the preparation of solutions, any glass, wooden, ceramic, enameled container is used, except for metal containers (the exception is copper, but in our time such dishes have become very rare).

In most cases they use 1% Bordeaux mixture solution: for 10 liters of water 100 g of copper sulfate and 120-150 g of slaked lime.
In 1 liter of water, 100 g of copper sulfate is diluted and adjusted by volume to 5 liters. It dissolves well in water, so there is no need to use hot water.
In another container, slaked lime is diluted in a small amount of water (2-3 l), stirred well, and then brought to the desired volume - 5 l.
The solutions are combined as described above, and the reaction of the finished mixture is checked.

More concentrated 3% Bordeaux mixture solution prepared in the same way: for 10 liters of water, 300 g of copper sulfate and 400-450 g of slaked lime.

The prepared solution is filtered and used immediately. It is stored for no more than a day, as it quickly changes its composition.

The mixture settles easily, so it must be filtered from sand particles and stirred well immediately before use.

Knots for memory

• It is impossible to mix concentrated solutions of the components of the Bordeaux mixture with their subsequent dilution, or pour a concentrated solution into a weak one.
• In no case do not pour quicklime with hot water, because you will not have time to cover it with a lid and you will get burned. You can use slightly warm water (room temperature or slightly warmed up to 25-35°C).
• Bordeaux liquid after preparation is not diluted with water, because it will begin to delaminate.
• Bordeaux mixture solution is best not to be mixed with other preparations.
• It is best to buy a ready-made Bordeaux mixture, dilute it according to the instructions and not engage in amateur activities. Industrial packaging contains copper sulphate, lime and indicator paper.

Bordeaux liquid It is used to protect fruit and berry crops from fungal and a number of other diseases. The drug belongs to the category of contact fungicides and is a water-suspension concentrate (WSC) of tribasic copper sulfate. Finished Bordeaux liquid in a bottle it is distinguished by its effective action and ease of use, due to which it has been widely used in personal subsidiary plots and summer cottages.

Application features

The drug must be dissolved in water according to the attached instructions: first in a small amount, and then add it to the required volume. The prepared liquid cannot be stored and must be used immediately.

First processing Bordeaux liquid carried out during the green cone phase, when leaves begin to emerge from the buds. During this period, horticultural crops are especially susceptible to fungal diseases. Early spring spraying begins to act after two hours and protects trees and shrubs for the next 50 days.

The treatment can be repeated during the growing season, after flowering, and then weekly. It should be borne in mind that a certain time must pass from the time of the last spraying to harvest. It is called the waiting period and is indicated in the instructions.

Bordeaux liquid used to protect the garden from septoria, scab, moniliosis, klesterosporiosis, columnar rust and other common diseases. Subject to the recommended standards, it is not phytotoxic, that is, it does not inhibit the growth and vital activity of horticultural crops.

To buy Bordeaux liquid just contact our partners. The site has a list of stores that sell drugs from the company "August" in the section.

Many gardeners are familiar with Bordeaux liquid and actively use it when growing crops. But for beginners, the very name of this drug is confusing. The agent belongs to fungicides. Very effective against fungal infections. They are sprayed with various garden and flower crops. But in order for the tool to benefit, you must be able to prepare it and use it correctly. The article will tell about how the Bordeaux liquid is processed.

What is a drug?

Among the many fungicides, Bordeaux liquid is the most popular. It has been used for plant protection for many years. This solution is recognized as universal. Because it is suitable for all types of plants.

Composition of Bordeaux liquid

Pale blue liquid. Prepare a mixture of water, slaked lime and copper sulfate. Copper, which is part of the Bordeaux mixture, is a trace element, without which the culture will not develop properly. Copper deficiency exists in acidic sandy and peaty soils. It manifests itself as growth retardation, chlorosis. Bordeaux mixture allows you to quickly fill the deficiency of nutrients and protects against ailments. It is difficult to do without such a solution when growing garden and garden plantings.

The advantages of using the drug

Many gardeners speak positively about such a preparation as Bordeaux mixture. The solution has proven to be effective in many cases. He has a lot of positive qualities.

For example, the drug Bordeaux liquid has the following advantages:

Disadvantages of Bordeaux liquid

Like every remedy, Bordeaux liquid has some disadvantages, you need to know them so as not to harm fruit trees, berry bushes and ornamental crops.

Correctly using the drug, it is easy to avoid problems. True, it has a solution of Bordeaux mixture and some disadvantages:

Are there analogues of Bordeaux mixture?

Knowing all the difficulties of using Bordeaux liquid, beginners are afraid to use it. Often they have a question, how to replace the Bordeaux liquid, so that the processing is simple and the effect is high. In fact, there are a huge number of analogues.

A good substitute for Bordeaux liquid is Abigo-peak, Hom and Kuproksat. In terms of action, these drugs are no worse, and even much more convenient to use. Their cost is quite affordable. There are also more advanced counterparts. These include Oksikhom and Polyhom. They cauterize the sores from above, and also penetrate the plant, heal from the inside. But the Bordeaux mixture is not capable of this.

The substitutes listed above are allowed to interfere with insect poisons. They are combined with many stimulants and fertilizers. So one treatment can solve several problems. But Bordeaux liquid cannot be mixed with anything. Very strong drugs are Strobi, Kvardis, Skor, Ridomil, Akrabat and Vectra. They are many times more effective than the Bordeaux mixture.

Where is Bordeaux liquid used?

They have been practicing the use of Bordeaux mixture in horticulture and horticulture for a long time. Stone fruit cultures are processed for the prevention and treatment of coccomycosis, curliness, molinos and perforated spotting. It is important to understand that plums, cherries, apricots and peaches are very sensitive to copper. Due to an overdose, the fruits crack.

By watering apple, pear and quince trees with Bordeaux liquid, plants can be saved from fruit rot, scab, black cancer, various types of spotting and phyllosticosis. Currants and gooseberries such a drug quickly eliminates rust, leaf spot and anthracosis.

But the treatment of grapes with Bordeaux liquid allows you to get rid of a number of fungal infections. True, one must be very careful in using copper for such a culture. Indeed, frequent spraying contributes to the deterioration of the quality of the fruit, inhibits the emergence and development of new shoots.
Observing all the rules of use, Bordeaux liquid for grapes will solve many problems in the shortest possible time and will not cause harm.

Spraying potatoes and tomatoes with Bordeaux liquid is effective against macrosporosis and late blight. Bordeaux liquid is shown for strawberries and raspberries, which are affected by leaf spot. Melons, cucumbers and watermelons will not suffer from bacteriosis, spotting and anthracnose after using a copper-based product. Bordeaux liquid is actively used for spraying ornamental shrubs and flowers. Gives excellent results in the fight against rust and spotting.

How to prepare a solution?

There are two ways to prepare Bordeaux liquid at home.

The first method is to use a ready-made kit, which includes a 100 gram bag of copper sulfate and a 100 gram package of slaked lime. Both components are in powder form.

The main active element is copper sulfate. However, this is a very aggressive substance. And even with strong dilution with water, it can burn the plant. An alkali is needed to neutralize an acid. For this, slaked lime is used.

Different proportions of Bordeaux mixture are used: in horticulture, a 1% and 3% solution is usually made. It is realistic to prepare about 10 liters of the mixture from one bag. The dosage must be chosen taking into account the time of year. For example, if it is planned to treat with Bordeaux liquid in the spring, then a 3% solution should be prepared. This means that you will need 3 packages of copper sulfate and the same amount of lime. The contents are diluted in 10 liters of water.

Bordeaux liquid is used in the spring before bud break. And this is approximately the period from the end of March to the beginning of April. In the future - in the summer, at the beginning of autumn, at the end of spring - a 1% mixture is prepared for spraying.

The peculiarity of the Bordeaux preparation is that vitriol and lime must be separately dissolved in water before mixing. Copper sulfate is bred in this way. Take two 10-liter enameled or plastic buckets. Wooden and glass containers are also suitable, but galvanized and iron containers are not suitable. Pour the bag into a bucket and pour 500 milliliters of water. Stir thoroughly: for this, the bucket is rotated in a circular motion, and then set. This operation is carried out until the powder is completely dissolved. Next, add 4.5 liters of warm water.

Lime is bred for Bordeaux mixture like this. First, put on protective equipment: gloves and a mask. Pour the contents of the sachet into the second bucket. Pour 5 liters of clean water. Stir with a wooden stick until dissolved. It turns out milk of lime.

After that, both solutions are combined. Copper sulphate is poured into lime in a thin stream. In no case should lime be poured into vitriol. Allow liquid to cool. Then it is filtered, filtered, otherwise the sprayer will constantly become clogged during processing. The finished product is poured into the spraying device and proceed to processing. The product should be used freshly prepared. The next day, Bordeaux liquid is not suitable for trees, bushes and flowers.

It is important to note that the Bordeaux set bags come with detailed instructions for use. It should be carefully read and act in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. After all, the weight of the active substance may differ.

Consider how the Bordeaux liquid is prepared according to the second method. To do this, separately buy lime and vitriol. In financial terms, this is much more economical. It is important that the lime is slaked. In garden stores, it is sold as fluff. For cooking, take 100 grams of copper sulfate and 75 grams of slaked lime. Dissolve in 10 liters of water. For a 3% solution, 300 grams of vitriol and 225 grams of lime are needed. Water is also taken 10 liters.

There is an easy way to check if the concentration is correct. To do this, you need to take any iron object, for example, a knife, a nail. Stainless steel is not suitable in this case. The object is dipped into the liquid. If there is an excess of copper, the blade of a knife or a nail will be covered with red spots. So, there is a risk of burning the plants. To minimize it, you need to add lime milk until the iron object stops being covered with copper. There is also another method, the essence of which is the use of litmus paper. But it is used much less often. If, after dipping into the solution, the paper turns blue, then the mixture is weakly alkaline or neutral. But in the case of the appearance of red spots, you will have to bring the solution to readiness, adding a little lime milk.

The following factors influence the quality of the Bordeaux mixture:

• Temperature. It is important that the solution is cool when mixing. Then the smallest possible crystals of substances are formed.
• Adding water. It is forbidden to add water to the already prepared mixture.
• Shelf life. After preparation, the solution is allowed to be stored no longer than 24 hours.

How to use correctly?

The question of when to treat with Bordeaux liquid is of interest to many gardeners and gardeners. The effectiveness of the drug and the condition of the cultures depend on the correctly chosen time.

Usually, the garden is treated in the spring with Bordeaux liquid no more than 6 times per season. This is about diseased plants. But for strong and healthy shrubs and trees, one spraying every 3 years will be enough.

Fruit bushes are processed in early spring and during the growing season. Apply no more than 3 times per season. Vegetable crops are sprayed 4 times per season. For protection, the product is used during the growing season. Ornamental plants are re-sprayed in autumn because they are not harvested. In this case, Bordeaux liquid is needed in autumn at a concentration of 3%.

After proper treatment, the trees are covered with a blue tint, which is why spraying is often called blue. The use of Bordeaux mixture in the spring is shown before the buds swell and the leaves appear. In this case, a 3% solution is used. And if the kidneys are already swollen, the mixture in such a concentration can burn the culture. Here you need 1% remedy. If the period of the green cone was missed, the buds have already begun to open, it is better for beginners not to take risks and use more gentle preparations than Bordeaux liquid. For example, a mild agent such as copper oxychloride is suitable. It must be remembered that too frequent spraying, the use of Bordeaux mixture after the completion of the flowering phase, increases the likelihood of mesh formation on the fruits, the ovaries may partially fall off.

The greatest efficiency from the use of Bordeaux mixture can really be achieved in the early autumn period. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases it is useful to reapply the mixture in the summer season.

To achieve a good result and reduce the negative impact of the chemical composition, it is necessary to observe the terms of the last treatment:

1. Berry, citrus and fruit crops, grape vines, beets, potatoes, alfalfa and hops should be processed for the last time 2-3 weeks before harvesting.
2. Watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers and melons are sprayed 10 days before harvest.
3. Medicinal crops are allowed to be processed three weeks before harvesting for storage or use.