Against the invasion of pests and the development of diseases, we feed strawberries with iodine
Strawberries are considered one of the most popular berry crops that can be found in almost any summer cottage. Feeding strawberries with iodine allows you to cope with the invasion of weevils, nematodes, May beetles and prevent the defeat of the bushes with gray rot and spotting. Regular use of this folk remedy will significantly increase its effectiveness.
Useful properties of iodine
The beneficial properties of iodine should include:
- antibacterial properties;
- antiseptic;
- antiviral and fungicidal.
The use of an antiseptic for processing strawberries contributes to better absorption of nitrogen, which will not only have a positive effect on crop yields, but also increase its immunity. Gardeners draw the attention of site owners to moderation and the need to strictly adhere to the recommended dosage in order not to achieve the opposite effect.
Iodine accumulated in large quantities in berries can adversely affect the health of people who eat large amounts of strawberries. For humans, 3 g of a pure substance can be a lethal dose.
Application features
Iodine for strawberries can be used not only as a top dressing, but also for the prevention of various diseases. It is especially important to feed the bushes with a solution of a chemical element at the end of March, when the gardener is cleaning the beds. It was during this period that new leaf plates begin to grow, and the bush needs nitrogen... For better assimilation of this element, it will be necessary to add an iodine solution under each plant and systematically moisten the soil. Ash extract can be added to a folk remedy for strawberries.
To prepare feeding strawberries with iodine, you will need:
- Pour 300 g of ash into 5 liters of boiling water.
- Add 5-6 drops of iodine to the mixture.
- The solution should be infused for 20 minutes.
- After that, under each bush, you will need to pour 600-700 ml of folk remedy.
Top dressing with the addition of ash cannot be stored. The liquid is used immediately after preparation. It should be borne in mind that when using fertilizer for soil treatment, which contains a small amount of nitrogen, it will be difficult to achieve a positive result.
Processing strawberries from pests and diseases
Iodine is used by gardeners to treat berry crops from various diseases and pests. It is also advisable to use a folk remedy to prevent strawberry diseases.
To prepare the solution you will need:
- liquid soap - 2 tbsp. l .;
- water - 20 l;
- iodine - 10-15 drops.
The addition of liquid soap to the composition of the folk remedy helps to improve the consistency of the solution and prevents it from sticking to the sheet plates.
Spraying a berry crop with a similar solution will allow:
- suspend or prevent the spread of the disease caused by fungal microorganisms;
- add foliar feeding of strawberries with iodine;
- scare away weevilsthat cannot tolerate the aroma of an antiseptic.
There is an opinion that spraying remontant strawberries with iodine solution after flowering ends, allows you to cause re-flowering.
Preventive feeding
Often, when planting a new planting material, diseases and pests fall on the beds. In order to prevent such a nuisance, the bushes should be treated with a folk remedy, for the preparation of which 15 liters of settled rain water and 5 drops of iodine are required. Before planting purchased seedlings, you will need to spill the soil with freshly prepared liquid.
When working with iodine, it is worth remembering its toxic properties, which tend to evaporate easily. You should not start working with the beds immediately after processing them with an iodine solution so as not to inhale poisonous fumes.
Feeding strawberries with iodine: how to properly handle bushes
Carrying out treatment with folk remedies can be done by watering the beds or spraying plants. Experienced gardeners pay attention to the fact that it is important to adhere to the correct proportions when preparing the solution. Below you can find the recommendations of specialists regarding feeding strawberries.
Spring feeding
How to feed strawberries in spring with iodine to avoid plant damage from various infections? The first fertilization in early spring should be started after the old leaf plates from the bushes have been cut. To increase the strength of plants, it is worth pouring at least 600 ml of solution under the root of each plant, for the preparation of which you will need to dilute 20 ml of antiseptic in 12 liters of water. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the resulting liquid can be sprayed on strawberries or pour over the soil in which they grow.
Top dressing before planting
Young rosettes of berry culture are best planted in soil, which has been previously fertilized with a folk remedy, which contains iodine. Cultivation of the land will allow you to avoid contamination of plants with various fungal diseases and scare off pests. To prepare a working solution, add 5-6 drops of an antiseptic to 15 liters of settled rainwater. Having mixed the components of the solution with a wooden stick, water the soil in which it is planned to plant young bushes abundantly. It will be possible to start planting work only after 2-3 days, so that the folk remedy that was introduced into the ground does not harm the young root system of the strawberry.
Prevention of diseases and pests
In early spring, prophylactic plant nutrition is carried out to prevent infection of the bushes with infections and scare off pests.
For preventive purposes, plant foliage is sprayed with a solution, for the preparation of which you will need to mix:
- settled rainwater - 15 liters;
- milk - 1.5 l;
- iodine - 15 drops.
A self-made product is applied to the green mass of strawberries. Experts recommend re-processing strawberries with iodine after 10 days. Plants can be sprayed no more than 3 times in one season.
Top dressing before flowering
Gardeners deprived of experience are often interested in how to water strawberries in spring with iodine. In order for the flowers to pollinate, and the strawberry ovary is abundant, it is worth adding a special fertilizer to the soil in which the berry culture grows.
To prepare it, it is worth mixing:
- antiseptic (iodine) - 45 drops;
- boric acid - 20 g;
- ash - 450 g;
- settled rainwater - 15 liters.
600 ml of freshly prepared fertilizer is applied under each bush.
Precautions
The use of iodine for strawberries against diseases and pests can negatively affect the berry crop. Plants can be harmed by frequent treatments and increased dosage of ingredients. It should be borne in mind that the chemical is capable of penetrating into all tissues of the culture and berries.That is why it is so important to correctly calculate the iodine dose.
Large amounts of iodine on the leaf plates of plants can cause burns.
Strawberries are a berry crop that needs proper care and timely fertilization. Taking care of the plants can provide yourself with a good harvest. The recommendations listed in the article regarding the preparation of a folk remedy for pests and diseases will help not to make mistakes and not harm strawberries.