DIY Copper Fungicide

In our hot, humid summers, copper fungicide spray can become like a best friend. It wards off potential fungal diseases such as blight, downy mildew, powdery mildew and many others. But if you have a large collection of plants to keep up with, buying the store bought premixed sprays can get pricey, and fast.

I decided that I had to do more research in this area. I'm glad that I did. Not only is it easy to do, but the cost is cut drastically. I had been paying almost 10.00 for a 1 quart bottle. Not anymore!

I tested out a few of the do it yourself recipes on a brugmansia first. Glad I did. Most Copper Fungicide recipes are too strong for brugmansia, causing them to lose all their leaves. Although they quickly grow back, it is stressful to the plant, and bad for the environment. So I kept whiddling down the numbers and came up with the perfect copper fungicide for brugmansia.

Both items needed to make your own Copper Sulfate, or Bordeax Mix, are readily available at your local Lowes or Home Depot.

Brugmansia Copper Fungicide

  • 1 pkg. Copper Sulfate
  • 1 pkg. Hydrated Lime
  • Set of Measuring spoons
  • 2 Large Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups
  • Coffee filters
  • Large Plastic Funnel
  • Clean 1 Gallon Jug
  • Clean, Filtered Water
  • Wooden Stir Stick or spoon

Into one of the Pyrex Glass cups, place 3/4 tsp of the hydrated lime. Now fill it with water to the one pint line on the Pyrex. Stir well.

Into the second Pyrex, add 1/2 level teaspoon of the Copper Sulfate crystals. Also add a pint of water on top of the crystals. Stir well, trying to get the crystals to dissolve as much as you can. There will be some crystal residue.

Let both containers rest about 10 minutes, and then stir them again. Now place the Funnel over the mouth of an empty 1 gallon jug. Place a clean coffee filter into the funnel, and pour the lime water solution through the filter.

Repeat this process with a clean filter and pour the Copper Sulfate water solution into the same jug as the Lime is now in.

Add enough clean water to almost fill the jug containing the Bordeaux Mixture. Shake it well. Store it in a cool, dry, dark place until you are ready to use it.

The residual sludge of both the hydrated lime and the copper sulfate should be proeprly disposed of. In too high amounts, they are detrimental to fish and other wildlife. Dispose of the sludge by bagging it up and placing it in regular garbage.

When you are ready to use it, simply pour enough into a clean Spray bottle to do the task at hand. Here's how I use it when doing a writeup on Blight. How to spray to prevent blight.

The total cost per quart You Make Yourself will come out to anywhere between .20¢ to .50¢ a quart, depending on what you pay for your Hydrated Lime and Copper Sulfate. Compare that to 8.99 to 9.99 a quart if you buy it pre-mixed. A savings I can definitely live with!

If you can't find Copper Sulfate, just keyword it in Amazon's ginormous search engine. They currently carry it for 20.00 for 2 pounds. And it will last me for several years.

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