Your curious questions answered
What’s the difference between lime sulphur and copper spray?
Lime sulphur
Lime sulphur is an effective control against bacteria, fungi, insects, and mites. It is ideally used in winter because applications on foliage can burn leaves. It can also harm beneficial insects, such as bees and ladybirds, so using the spray during while beneficial insects are dormant is encouraged. It’s a useful control against leaf curl, rust, powdery mildew, black spot, two-spotted mites and scale.
Copper spray
Copper spray is a fungicide. It is useful as a targeted control against leaf curl, bacterial leaf spot, downy mildew, and gummosis, amongst others. Copper is a heavy metal and will persist in your soil. It affects soil microorganisms, aquatic life, plants and humans. Fungi and bacteria can also develop a resistance to copper sprays, so it is important to develop other approaches that you can use alongside copper spray to control pests and diseases in your garden. Placing an old tarp, cardboard, or newspapers under plants prior to application can reduce the amount of copper in your soils.
Which one do I use for my fruit trees?
Lime sulphur and copper spray are both highly effective as a chemical wash for fruit trees in winter, especially as a preventative measure against leaf curl on fruit trees, such as nectarines and peaches. It is recommended to use either spray in alternating years.
Both lime sulphur and copper sprays have a place in agricultural and home use, however, it is important to read labels and follow guidelines. Always be sure to wear protective gear and check weather conditions prior to spraying.
