For normal plant life, they require various elements nutrition with which they must be provided throughout the entire time with the only change in the quantity and frequency of application depending on the time of year. One of the most important such elements for plants is iron chelate, which provides reliable protection from manifestations of chlorosis.
Article outline
Features of the drug
The peculiarity of microfertilizer is that it is iron in chelated form. This allows it to be easily and completely absorbed by plants, providing complete nutrition for normal growth. Iron for plants serves as an intermediate element: it is not required as much as macroelements, but not as little as microelements. This makes iron chelate essential for plants.
The lack of this element is easy to notice by appearance, this will be expressed in obvious signs of chlorosis. The disease develops against the background of impaired chlorophyll production in the leaves. Its main features are a light leaf blade and characteristic green veins on it.
The appearance of chlorosis occurs when there is an acute deficiency of iron in the soil or as a result of restrictions that have arisen on plants to absorb it in this form. To solve this problem, it is necessary to reconsider agricultural methods, as well as fertilize with iron chelate fertilizer.
Main signs of chlorosis
If at least some of these signs occur, it is necessary to take immediate action and treat chlorosis.
What you need to know about plant chlorosis
Characteristics of microfertilizer
Iron is an active component for plant life; it is actively involved in metabolic processes, and is also one of the components of enzymes that ensure respiration and the formation of chlorophyll.
The main positive qualities of iron chelate
- Completely non-toxic.
- Simultaneous use with mineral fertilizers.
- It dissolves completely in water and is easily absorbed by plants.
- Not exposed to microorganisms.
- It has high transport activity and has high penetration through foliage.
- Simultaneous use with pesticides is possible.
- Versatility in use (used as foliar or root feeding).
An important feature of iron is its availability to plants. There is a misconception that rusty water (which can often be seen from a water tap) is also rich in iron. Yes, it is present there, but in this form it is completely insoluble and sometimes destructive for plants.
There may also be this option: if the soil contains chalk or dolomite, then even the available form of iron under such conditions turns into a completely useless composition for plants. As a result, there will be a lack of this element even if there is sufficient quantity in the soil.
The accessible form of iron can become inaccessible as a result of oxidation, which occurs when interacting with oxygen. After this, it is no longer possible to make the element accessible.
Features of using iron chelate for plants
For plants, of all microelements, it is iron that plays the leading role, since it guarantees the timeliness of chlorophyll biosynthesis, and is also a reliable shield against many diseases, and in particular chlorosis. For plants, the use of iron chelate plays an important role, as it promotes the full development, vegetation and activation of all necessary processes that ensure normal plant growth.
Regular use of fertilizer guarantees:
- development of stable immunity of the plant to any negative phenomena external environment;
- compensates for the lack of missing microelements, thereby creating resistance to diseases;
- improves photosynthesis and plant respiration;
- stimulates active growth and full development plants;
- eliminates iron deficiency;
- normalizes metabolism;
- provides sufficient chlorophyll in the leaves.
The use of iron chelate is possible during root tillage, during drip irrigation, and it can also be used as foliar plant nutrition. Maximum effect with obvious signs of iron deficiency in plants, it can be achieved by foliar treatment of diseased leaves.
It was noticed that from fruit trees The following crops suffer most from iron deficiency: peach, pear, plum, cherry, apple, citrus trees, as well as in some cases grapes, provided that they are grown on carbonate or over-limed soils. Signs of the disease can be expressed in poor flowering, weak coloring of fruits, and low tree yields. Also, a deficiency of this element can significantly affect carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, cabbage, corn, and raspberries.
Effect of the drug on indoor plants
Indoor plants especially need the active element iron, as they have limited space land, in which the emerging shortage of microelements can cause plant diseases and even their death. There are several types of indoor crops that react acutely to a lack of iron in the soil:
- gardenias;
- azaleas;
- hydrangeas;
- clerodendrum;
- citrus crops.
Therefore, if there are any crops from the plants listed above in the house, you should know in advance that for their normal functioning they will require regular use of iron chelate for indoor plants. For this purpose, manufacturers produce specially small packaged fertilizers.
Applications for indoor plants also include preventive actions to prevent the occurrence of leaf chlorosis. Indoor crops with iron content in pots are noticeably different in their full and rapid development, and they also develop stable immunity to chlorosis and various stresses. However, if a disease occurs in indoor plants, you can easily cope with it using iron chelate, but do not delay treatment.
How to use microfertilizer
In the treatment of chlorosis and as a preventive measure, iron chelate fertilizer is used in various proportions, time intervals and duration of use.
Instructions for using iron chelate for plants for preventive purposes
It is necessary to dissolve 5 g of the drug in 10 liters of water and spray the foliage generously with the resulting solution, apply the treatment at least 2 times, starting from the first appearance of the leaves and continuing throughout the growing season with an interval of 2 weeks. The last treatment should be carried out before flowering. The consumption rate of the resulting drug is 1 liter per 10 square meters. m.
Instructions for the use of microfertilizer in the treatment of chlorosis
Dissolve 5 g of the substance in 5 liters of water for fruit trees and 8 liters of water for any other crops, then spray the foliage generously and treat at least 4 times every 2 weeks. To enhance treatment, in case of severe chlorosis, root application of the drug can be done; for this purpose, dissolve 5 g of fertilizer per 5 liters of water and the consumption rate of the resulting drug is 2 liters per 1 sq. m. m.
When using the drug, you must follow general safety rules: when processing, wear gloves, a change of clothes, a hat, and when spraying the drug, wear safety glasses and a gauze bandage.
- In case of contact with skin or eyes, rinse immediately big amount running water.
- After finishing working with the solution, wash your face and hands with soap.
- Fertilizer must be stored in dry dark place excluding children's access. Shelf-life Unlimited. The storage temperature must be at least 0 degrees.
Iron chelate for strawberries - how to use
Making iron chelate at home
In the case when there is no drug at hand, and the plant needs to be saved, you can prepare iron chelate at home, but the resulting solution cannot be stored, so it should be used on the day of preparation.
- Option 1: You will need 1 liter of rainwater, in which you need to dissolve 4 g of citric acid, then add 2.5 g of iron sulfate. Stir the resulting solution until the color of the liquid is uniform. The solution is ready.
- Option 2: You will need 1 liter of rainwater, to which you need to add 10g of iron sulfate and 20g of ascorbic acid, mix everything thoroughly until the ingredients are completely dissolved.
These above solutions can be used for both foliar spraying and root watering. But when using the drug, you must follow all recommendations in order to prevent excess iron in the soil (this is extremely rare).
Signs of excess iron in plants
- the overall growth of the plant stops;
- leaf blades acquire a rich dark green color;
- leaves begin to fall for no apparent reason;
- black necrotic spots appear on the leaf blades;
- The absorption of phosphorus and calcium becomes difficult, so signs of their deficiency appear.
Numerous positive reviews about iron chelate they prove that this drug really helps get rid of the problems of chlorosis, and also helps to develop strong plant immunity to all sorts of negative factors external environment, which guarantees full growth and healthy appearance of leaves.
The lack of microelements in depleted soils has a detrimental effect on plant development. Crops growing in alkaline soil in arid climates are especially susceptible to nutrient deficiencies. For better absorption of microelements, chelation is used. What is iron chelate, and how is it useful for seedlings? Let's consider the issue in detail.
Chelates and their importance in gardening
Cultivated plants require microelements for proper development, which form the basis of their growth. Microelements participate in biochemical processes, regulate metabolism, and activate enzymes. Microelements increase plant immunity and resistance to adverse external factors.
For example, iron deficiency in the soil affects the quality of seedling development: the leaves turn yellow, the shoots dry out, the inflorescences do not gain strength, and the fruits do not set well. Plants need iron and other minerals throughout the growing season so that the leaf apparatus actively produces chlorophyll.
Minerals are found in the soil, but their amount decreases over time. Experienced gardeners regularly add micro- and macroelements, organic fertilizers and agrochemicals to replenish missing substances.
Chelates are fertilizers in which inorganic substances are enclosed in a nutritious organic shell. Thanks to this, seedlings can easily absorb essential microelements. Chelates act as conductors that deliver microelements to crop plants.
Important! Iron chelate ensures the synthesis of chlorophyll.
Inorganic elements do not always manage to penetrate the leaf surface, but the organic coating provides them with access to plant tissues. The chelate shell reliably protects the microelements it contains, while at the same time allowing them to be easily absorbed by plants.
However, not every trace element is capable of forming chelates. Therefore, chelated fertilizers can be created based on:
- gland;
- calcium;
- manganese;
- molybdenum;
- copper;
- magnesium;
- cobalt;
- zinc;
- boron
Note! Potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen do not chelate.
Chelated fertilizers are absorbed by plants by almost 90%, unlike conventional agrochemicals, because they do not interact with the soil. Chelating agents keep metal ions in a soluble form that is easily absorbed by plants. They combine well with pesticides, insecticides and other mineral fertilizers. However, farmers recommend first checking drugs for compatibility.
Note! In nature, vitamin B12 and chlorophyll act as chelates.
Chelated fertilizers are used for seed treatment, and for spraying seedlings. However, before purchasing the drug, it is necessary to clarify what type of chelates it contains and what type of soil it is used for: the pH value is important.
Iron chelate
Iron chelate is produced either in tablet form with stabilizers, or in the form of a ready-made dark solution. The working solution must be used on the day of preparation.
Chelated preparations can be complex or single. For example, Fe-DTPA or Fe-EDTA. Iron chelate for plants contains water-soluble divalent iron ions Fe(II), which can be used to:
- rid the plant of yellowing leaves;
- prevent chlorosis (yellowing of leaves);
- strengthen plant resistance to unfavorable conditions;
- enhance photosynthesis.
Chelated microfertilizers are especially necessary for radishes and strawberries, which draw many microelements from the soil. Farmers use iron chelate together with boron. Soil nourished with boron and iron allows you to harvest a rich harvest of strawberries from the same area for 7-8 years.
Iron oxide (rust) is found in excess in the soil, but this compound is not beneficial for plants. For the formation of chlorophyll, the divalent compound Fe(II) is necessary, which is more actively absorbed by plant tissues. The chelate shell quickly breaks down into its components - water and carbon. These are safe compounds that do not pollute the soil.
Sandstones are the poorest in iron; vegetation on such soils always develops chlorosis. Clay soils and chernozem suffer less from a lack of iron compounds, so fertilizer is used less frequently - once every 3 or 5 years.
Iron Chelate Benefits:
- dissolves well in water;
- non-toxic to plants;
- quickly absorbed by plant tissues;
- combines well with other fertilizers and pesticides;
- used for foliar and root feeding.
Note! Rusty water cannot serve as a source of iron, since it is in a form that is difficult for plants to reach.
Effect of fertilizer on plants:
- strengthens resistance to adverse weather conditions;
- increases resistance to diseases;
- activates the growth and development of seedlings;
- corrects metabolic processes;
- promotes the production of chlorophyll.
Fruit trees are especially affected by iron deficiency. Apple, pear and plum trees do not set fruit well and produce a meager, tasteless harvest. Vegetable crops often get sick, seedlings do not take root well in the soil and bear little fruit.
However, an excess of iron in the soil is just as dangerous as a deficiency. Signs of excess microelement are:
- plant growth stops;
- the color of the leaves becomes saturated;
- the leaf cover crumbles;
- Dark spots appear on the surface of the leaves.
It is important not to overdo it with feeding seedlings with microelements. Carefully follow the dosage of medications indicated in the instructions.
Application standards
Vegetables - take 5 g per bucket of water, a liter of working solution is consumed per 10 square meters. The liquid is applied when the first four leaves appear on the seedlings. Then spraying is carried out after 2 weeks. Treatment is carried out before the formation of buds.
Fruit plants are fed with the same working solution in a volume of 2 liters per square meter. Water the fruit trees around the trunk when the first leaves appear. Then fertilizing is carried out during budding.
Note! The dosage of the drug may vary, depending on the presence of additional substances in the solution.
Mode of application:
- treatment of plants is carried out in the morning/evening in warm weather;
- the solution is used in sprayers, creating a cloud of spray;
- do not allow drops of the solution to roll off the leaves;
- Root feeding is carried out on pre-moistened soil.
Spraying is usually used to prevent iron deficiency in plants. To do this, use either regular sprayers or special sprayers. Healthy plants can be treated twice a season, patients require more frequent spraying - 4 times.
Primary treatment is carried out immediately after the first leaves unfold, secondary treatment - after 2-3 weeks. A 4% solution is suitable for vegetable and berry crops, and 8% for fruit trees. For vineyards and ornamental plants use a 4% solution.
For root feeding, use an 8% solution. Plants are watered with a solution at the root on pre-irrigated soil. For one fruit tree they use 1-2 buckets, for a berry bush - a couple of liters, for feeding vegetable crops- 4 liters per 10 m2.
Can an overdose of iron chelate burn plant roots? A chemical burn is possible only if large doses of the drug are used.
However, the available chelated form of iron may become useless if there is a lot of chalk in the soil or the working solution for a long time was in an open state.
Making your own fertilizer
To prepare a working solution of iron chelate yourself, use simple iron sulfate. Such a solution is no different from a purchased substrate, with the exception of the content of ballast substances. Therefore, it should be used strictly within normal limits. The disadvantage of a self-made solution is its limited use: it is only suitable for preventive purposes.
Cooking method No. 1
- 8 grams of vitriol are dissolved in two liters of warm water;
- 5 grams of citric acid are dissolved in the same volume of liquid, but in a different container;
- then you need to pour the vitriol solution into the citric acid solution in a thin stream with continuous stirring;
- at the end it should be poured into ready mixture one liter of water, stirring continuously.
The result is 5 liters of working solution for treating plants. The prepared liquid cannot be stored; it must be used up immediately. Make sure that the solution is clean, without any sediment. The color of the liquid should be orange.
Cooking method No. 2
To do this, instead of citric acid, you should take pharmacy ascorbic acid. However, when purchasing, make sure that the powder does not contain added glucose.
- prepare a solution of iron sulfate - take 2 tsp of substrate per liter of water;
- add to ready solution 20 grams of ascorbic acid;
- pour 3 liters into the container with the solution clean water, previously boiled and cooled.
You will end up with a chelated iron solution ready to spray. Be aware that the solution will quickly form a precipitate: use it immediately.
Characteristics of drugs
Ferovit is a universal photosynthesis stimulator. This fertilizer contains urea, nitrogen and chelated iron. The drug is intended to treat all garden crops and ornamental plants all year round. Indoor flowers often suffer from hard water, which alkalizes the soil and creates obstacles to the free absorption of iron from the soil.
The use of Ferovit eliminates iron deficiency in the soil, promotes the rapid absorption of ions by plants, and nourishes seedlings. After using the drug, the seedlings sprout vigorously, and the ovary is actively forming on the fruit trees. Ferovit also protects plants from damage by rot, powdery mildew and brown rust.
Note! The chelated form of fertilizers is most suitable for summer feeding plants: the substrate does not burn the roots and leaves.
For preventive treatment, spraying is carried out. The solution is prepared from a liter of water and 1.5 ml of the drug. Fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetable and ornamental crops are sprayed at least three times per season (the break between treatments is 2 weeks). In case of pronounced iron deficiency, plants are treated every week until the green color is restored.
Processing indoor flowers and seedlings are carried out weekly - 1.5 mg of the drug is taken per 2 liters of water. Ground vegetables are processed every two weeks for preventive purposes. Strawberry beds are sprayed with a solution - 1.5 mg per liter, treatment area - 5 m2. Treatment of bushes is carried out once when the leaves grow.
The composition of the drug Microvit K-1 contains sulfur, nitrogen and iron. This is a very effective remedy for combating plant chlorosis. Microvit is used for foliar/root treatment of seedlings during the growing season. Any required volume can be prepared from a concentrated solution working fluid. Citric acid is used as a chelating agent, which protects iron ions from oxidation.
The drug Fertika is water-soluble granules and an aqueous solution. The granules are first dissolved in water and then the seedlings are watered. You can also scatter the granules around the area and dig them up. To fertilize seedlings before transplanting into the ground, granules mixed with soil are poured into each hole. When using granules, sufficient irrigation of the soil is necessary, since they release active substances only when moistened.\
Alternative
FeSO4 sulfate can be used instead of iron chelate. This substrate is much cheaper than the chelate, but it is of little benefit to plants. When ions decay, most of the beneficial substances disappear. In addition, the use of iron sulfate can lead to an overdose of sulfur and chemical burns to plants.
Ferrous sulfate is ineffective on depleted soil and under unfavorable climatic conditions. It is also not effective to use this fertilizer in small areas (up to 12 acres and in greenhouses).
Iron chelate is widely used due to its easily digestible form. These versatile and environmentally friendly fertilizers bring enormous benefits to plants. Inorganic salts are poorly absorbed by the roots and leaves of seedlings, so the effectiveness of the use of conventional agrochemicals is very low. Chelates are highly active, since trace element ions are located in a biological shell.
Iron chelate eliminates such a common pathology as premature yellowing and wilting of plant leaves. However, the richest harvest from the site can be obtained by correctly combining mineral supplements with organic ones. Microelements feed plants with the necessary substances, and organic matter structures the soil and saturates it with humus.
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For normal growth, plants need nutrition rich in useful elements. One of these is iron chelate - an indispensable microfertilizer for plants in a biologically active form. Among Ukrainian manufacturers, the leading company in the production of chelate fertilizers and their first developer is SPC "REAKOM".
Features of using iron chelate for plants
There are three possible ways Applications of iron chelate: root tillage, drip irrigation And foliar feeding plants. Best result gives precisely the foliar method of applying microfertilizers containing iron.When used, iron chelate demonstrates a number of positive qualities:
- Non-toxic.
- Completely soluble in water and easily penetrates foliage.
- Compatible with mineral fertilizers and pesticides.
- Universal in use.
- Elimination of iron deficiency.
- The emergence of immunity to diseases in plants.
- Improving photosynthesis and plant respiration.
- Normalization of metabolism.
- Stimulation of plant growth and development.
- Ensuring sufficient presence of chlorophyll in leaves.
Instructions for use of iron chelate for plants
The proportions, time intervals and duration of use of iron chelate depend on the purpose for which the drug is chosen: preventive or therapeutic.For the purpose of prevention
Feeding plants with iron chelate will not be superfluous if the plant does not have any visible signs of disease.
In this case, it is necessary to measure out 5 g of iron chelate and dissolve it in 10 liters of water. Treatment with the prepared solution is carried out once every 2 weeks by spraying the foliage throughout the growing season. Preventive treatment can begin from the moment the first leaves appear, and should be completed before flowering begins. During this time, spraying should be carried out at least 2 times at a consumption rate of 1 liter per 10 square meters. m.
In the treatment of chlorosis
Chlorosis, caused by a lack of iron, manifests itself in plants in the form of the following symptoms:
- yellowing of the leaf blade with the appearance of green veins;
- reduction of leaves in size;
- delayed development of shoots;
- causeless falling of leaves, flowers and buds;
- deformation of inflorescences;
- curling the sheet along the edges.
If at least one of the listed symptoms of the disease is detected in a plant, it needs treatment. 
For this purpose, it is necessary to dilute 5 g of the drug in 5 liters of water (for fruit trees) and 8 liters of water (for all other types of crops). The foliage is sprayed with the resulting solution once every 2 weeks at least 4 times during the entire cycle. In case of pronounced chlorosis, the effect can be enhanced by root application of iron chelate, for which 5 g of the drug is diluted in 5 liters of water. at the rate of 2 liters per 1 sq. meter.
When working with iron chelate, it is important to follow safety rules: spray with gloves, safety glasses and a gauze bandage. If the solution gets on your skin or eyes, rinse them with water.
A complex organic microfertilizer containing iron in chelated form is called iron chelate. It is effective means to combat lime (iron) chlorosis of agricultural plants. The drug is used to treat open and greenhouse soil as a root dressing, as well as for foliar treatment of vineyards, vegetable and fruit crops.
Fertilizer is a combination of 2-valent iron metal ions F (II) with two or more free neutral organic atoms.
This symbiosis is ideal for the intracellular transport of iron ions through the biochemical barriers of any plant.
The main advantages of iron chelate include:
A chelator introduced into the soil remains available for absorption by the root system for a long time. After three days of active interaction with plant cells, metal cations pass into tissue metabolites, significantly enhancing the process of photosynthesis.
Compounds in chelated form are much more stable than trace elements in the form of inorganic salts.
Most effective and accessible to plants concentrates of the following metals polychelated with amino acids:
- iron;
- copper;
- manganese;
- zinc.
Plant fermentative systems cannot function without iron. The lack of this microelement inhibits the transformation carbon dioxide into organic substances, makes oxidative and energetic processes that precede the formation of chlorophyll impossible. And as a result, the growth and development of the vegetative mass of agricultural crops slows down.
Plants need on average from 0.6 to 9 kg/ha of iron oxide (its formula is Fe203).
Basically, the soil contains a sufficient amount of this element - about 4%, but the sparingly soluble form of the beneficial substance is absorbed very poorly.
Iron deficiency is especially common in carbonate, lime-rich soils.
The most sensitive crops to the lack of this microelement are: corn, grapes, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers, cabbage, raspberries, citrus fruits and all garden trees.
When destroyed, chlorophyll makes green leaf pale, light yellow with a cream tint. In this case, the leaf veins may not change color. These symptoms appear on the upper young shoots. Lower leaves still remain green, and the inflorescences become underdeveloped and small.
With significant iron deficiency the plants stop growing and bearing fruit, and after a while they die.
Such signs are characteristic of a disease called calcareous chlorosis.
For the purpose of treatment and prevention of microelement deficiency - F (II) in horticulture and agriculture The drug used is iron chelate.
For plants, according to the rules of agricultural technology, fertilizing with which fertilizer is mandatory and is carried out with at certain intervals. This allows:
- IN short time, without fear of overdose, treat iron chlorosis even in very advanced cases. Discolored plants treated with the drug in the evening gradually begin to turn green in the morning.
- Even novice gardeners and gardeners can prevent the appearance of chlorosis in their plantings by using preventive treatments.
- Increase plant immunity and increase their productivity, despite unfavourable conditions cultivation - poor soil, extreme temperature regime, flaw sunlight or drought.
The effect of this microfertilizer is enhanced in combination with boron for such capricious and significantly depleting crops as radishes and strawberries. And the process of soil reclamation after them becomes less expensive.
Foliar feeding is indispensable in modern technologies growing. On high-quality soils, when the yield can be affected by the absence of just a few macro or microelements, foliar feeding the best option application of fertilizers.
Antichlorosin (iron chelate) is ideal for this method of treatment.
Instructions for use by spraying:
The same proportions of the initial solution are used for root feeding.
The amount of solution for preventive treatment will be:
- watering - 2 liters per 1 sq. m.;
- spraying - 1 liter per 10 sq. m.
And, accordingly, for medicinal purposes the consumption and concentration will be 2 times greater.
Precautionary measures
Fertilizer, if it gets on the skin, may cause irritation in people sensitive to such substances. Therefore, using the drug must be adhered to general rules security:
- work only in protective gloves, a change of clothes and a hat;
- spray while wearing safety glasses and a gauze bandage;
- If the drug gets on the skin of the face or in the eyes, rinse with plenty of clean water;
- After finishing processing the plants, wash your hands with soap.
Shelf-life Unlimited.
When there is no ready-made preparation at hand, we can make iron chelate with our own hands. The plant is sick and needs to be saved urgently, for this we take:
- 1 liter of rain or distilled water;
- 2.5 g citric acid;
- 4 g of iron sulfate.
We dilute the vitriol and acid in separate containers and pour the vitriol into the citric acid solution.
Stir until smooth. The solution is ready.
We obtain iron chelate at a concentration of 0.5 g/l.
Or we can use 20 g of ascorbic acid per 10 g of iron sulfate.
Cook using the same technology until all components are completely dissolved.
This is how you can make chelated iron at home. and obtain a solution suitable for one-time processing. The mixture cannot be stored for long periods of time.
A large number of positive reviews about this fertilizer confirm its effectiveness and indispensability in the fight against chlorosis. The drug helps to wait out unfavorable weather with minimal yield losses and at the same time stimulates the development of stable immunity to various external factors in plants.
Attention, TODAY only!
Iron is an element that almost all plants need, although in smaller quantities than other microelements.Normal development and growth of the plant is impossible without this component. That is why a universal fertilizer was developed - iron chelate.
Iron chelate is a microfertilizer that contains iron in chelated form in an amount of 25-30 g/l. The pH value is almost neutral 6-8. The drug is powdery, dirty orange in color, and does not have any smells or tastes. By chemical composition it is a divalent iron atom, which is, as it were, packed in a shell of a weak organic acidity ligand, most often citric acid is used for this.
Thanks to such a shell, iron is reliably preserved from reaction with other active molecules that can convert it into a trivalent formula.
Iron chelate has the following properties:
- Non-toxic.
- It can be combined with mineral fertilizers.
- It dissolves well in water and is absorbed by plants.
- Can be combined with pesticides.
- Resistant to microorganisms.
- Versatile.
- Relieves plants from non-infectious diseases.
The drug can be used for both root and foliar feeding.
How to use the drug
The drug can be used as a fertilizer and as a cure for diseases. For the second case it is mainly used. The first option is more suitable for fertilizing plants.
Foliar feeding
As a preventive measure, two sprayings are carried out, but if the plants or trees are already sick, then four treatments will be needed. For prevention, the first treatment is carried out in the spring, when the leaves on trees, bushes and plants have already fully unfurled. The second - after 3 weeks. If the plants are sick, then four treatments should be carried out every two weeks.
Important! For trees, the solution concentration should be 8%, and for all other crops it should be half as much, that is, 4%.
Root feeding
For watering plants, an 8% solution is used for all crops. It is worth watering with the drug after the plants have been well watered with ordinary water. For different cultures different amounts of solution are required: wood - 15 l, bush - 1.5 l, for vegetables and berries - 4.5 l per 100 square meters.
If you are using a store-bought iron chelate, the package will show detailed instructions how to breed it. This drug can be made at home - it will cost much less than a ready-made mixture.
How to make your own iron chelate
Preparing fertilizers at home is simple; it does not require any skills, special preparations or a lot of time. There are two methods of preparation.
Method one
You will need three components:
- 3.5 liters of water
- 1 tsp iron sulfate
- 10 g ascorbic acid
It is necessary to boil and cool the water. Then add iron sulfate to 0.5 water, mix well until completely dissolved. Next, add ascorbic acid and stir until completely dissolved.
Important! Ascorbic acid must be free of any impurities, including glucose.
It is better to buy it in tablets; in other forms it will not dissolve in water. Pour the well-mixed solution into the remaining 3 liters of water and mix well again. The resulting mixture can be used for all types of fertilizing, but it is worth considering that it must be used immediately, since a precipitate will gradually appear, however, the same as when preparing a solution with purchased iron chelate.
Method two
This method also involves three components:
- 3 liters of water
- 1 tbsp. spoon of citric acid
- 1 heaped teaspoon of iron sulfate
Pour into water citric acid and stir until the latter is completely dissolved. Then add the third ingredient and mix well too. After adding iron sulfate, the solution will begin to take on an orange tint. This indicates that the iron has reacted with other ingredients and the solution is ready for use. Whatever iron chelate you use - purchased or homemade, the main thing is not to neglect your own safety measures.
Storage conditions for iron chelate
The prepared solution should not be stored for more than 4 hours, because then the iron settles. Fertilizer in powder form must be stored out of the reach of children and animals. If the package with the drug is open, it must be carefully closed and stored in a dry place, protected from light.
The shelf life of the powder is 1.5 years; after this period, the drug should not be used, as it can cause irreparable harm to yourself and the plants.
