Treating apple trees with iron sulfate: solution proportions and spraying rules

The full development and vigorous fruiting of an apple orchard largely depend on timely and regular treatment of the trees with antiseptic compounds. Spraying with ferrous sulfate can help prevent plant infections and insect pests. It's important to know how to use this product correctly to get the most out of it.

Content

Why spray apple trees with iron sulfate?
When to process
How to make a solution of ferrous sulfate
Features of the use of ferrous sulfate depending on its purpose
Precautionary measures
Advantages and disadvantages
Compatibility with other products in horticulture

Why spray apple trees with iron sulfate?

Sodium sulfate contains a vital micronutrient responsible for cellular energy and metabolism. It promotes the formation of chlorophyll, which is essential for plant respiration. Applying a ferrous sulfate solution is necessary when identifying the following problems in fruit trees:

aphid;
pliers;
codling moth;
beetle larvae;

scab;
black crayfish;
fungal diseases;
infected hollow.

The effect of iron sulfate is simply irreplaceable in identifying apple tree bark pathologies and iron deficiency in soils.

In addition to its medicinal uses, iron sulfate also has a role in preventative gardening. For example, iron sulfate is used for whitewashing apple tree trunks as a disinfectant.

When to process

When treating apple trees with ferrous sulfate, it's important to choose the right time for the procedure, taking into account the tree's growing season and weather conditions. Failure to apply the spray at the right time can result in the loss of the fruit or the foliage.

Spring treatment begins when the snow melts and sap begins to flow in the tree trunk, after the ambient temperature reaches above zero (+5°C during the day) and before bud formation.

In early spring, the main focus should be on treating the apple tree bark, as it is in its crevices that numerous larvae and egg-laying plants of garden pests spend the winter.

The second stage of treatment begins after the buds open. Its purpose is to protect the future buds from fungal infections. After flowering, the next stage of spraying occurs, serving as a preventative measure against adult insects.

Finally, the final stage of treating apple trees with ferrous sulfate is carried out in late autumn, after the leaves have fallen. This is also a preventative measure, and its proper implementation largely determines the quality and quantity of the harvest in the coming season.

How to make a solution of ferrous sulfate

Maintaining the correct proportions when mixing the solution will ensure maximum results during processing.

To obtain a fungicidal mixture with a 3% concentration, dilute 300 g of iron sulfate powder in 10 liters of water.
Depending on the intended purpose, a solution with a higher concentration of the chemical may be required. To obtain a 5% solution per 10 liters of liquid, 500 g of powder is required. This mixture is necessary for controlling insects after leaf fall and for preventing bark diseases.
To fertilize apple trees when chlorosis is detected on young foliage, dissolve 50 g of iron sulfate in 10 liters of water. Apply the resulting mixture to the soil and trunk of the fruit tree every four days until new foliage appears.

Instructions for use

Add the iron sulfate solution to a sprayer or atomizer, and immediately begin treating the trees. The mixture must be used immediately after preparation, otherwise it will lose its medicinal properties.

Ferrous sulfate solution is highly acidic. Therefore, changing the dosage can cause burns to the tree's green mass.

To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, treat not only the tree trunks and branches, but also the soil in the root zone and within the crown. This will help eliminate insect larvae and adults that damage apple trees.

Before beginning treatment, it's necessary to remove fallen leaves; otherwise, the desired results will not be achieved. When performing treatments, consider the following:

windless weather;
no precipitation;
morning or evening hours.

Fertilizing trees with iron sulfate is usually carried out together with watering.

Features of the use of ferrous sulfate depending on its purpose

Apple trees are treated with iron sulfate to solve the following problems:

Fungal diseases – A 3% solution is used. Three treatments, spaced a week apart, are sufficient to treat affected trees.
Mosses and lichens – Treatment with a 3–5% solution is carried out twice in the spring and fall, with a two-week interval between each treatment. After the fall spraying and cleaning of affected areas, the treated areas of the apple trees are whitewashed with a solution of wood ash and ferrous sulfate.
Insect pests – the pronounced insecticidal properties of iron sulfate in the fight against this threat to apple orchards are used before bud formation, after buds open, and after leaf fall.
Chlorosis – acute iron deficiency is replenished by treatment with a solution of ferrous sulfate in a low concentration.

For young trees, 1 treatment in autumn will be sufficient.

Precautionary measures

The toxicity of this chemical element is significantly lower than, for example, copper sulfateHowever, this does not mean that it is completely safe for human health.

When working with iron sulfate solution, the following safety precautions must be observed:

do not allow the mixture to come into contact with mucous membranes or eyes;
Do not use food containers to prepare the solution;
store the powder in a cool, dry place, away from food;
all work must be carried out wearing rubber gloves, a protective mask and a head covering;
If the finished product comes into contact with skin, rinse the area of contact with plenty of water, and if irritation occurs, consult a doctor.