What Is a Sulfur Vaporizer?

How a Sulfur Vaporizer Works

• A sulfur vaporizer is useful only in enclosed spaces such as greenhouses or grow rooms. The vaporizer works by heating powdered sulfur to the point of evaporation; it does not burn sulfur. The evaporated sulfur condenses into microscopic particles. Heated air generated by the vaporizer carries the particles into the air, dispersing them into the greenhouse space. These particles settle onto the surface of the plant leaves and slowly change into sulfuric acid. This acid prevents disease spores from germinating.

Sulfur Vaporizer Effectiveness

• Vaporized sulfur has a wide range of effect on fungus diseases on plants. On some fungus diseases, there is very little effect; on others, it provides excellent control. Sulfur is non-systemic, meaning the plant does not absorb it. Vaporized sulfur leaves a small amount of residue on plant surfaces. It controls many common plant diseases in the greenhouse including downy mildew and powdery mildew. It is also effective in the treatment and prevention of spider mites.

Ways to Vaporize Sulfur

• In greenhouses heated with a steam system, use existing steam pipes instead of a sulfur vaporizer. Mix equal parts of wettable sulfur -- not flowers of sulfur -- and water together to form a slurry. Paint the mixture on two exposed steam pipes covering a distance of 3 feet. Skip 3 feet and paint the next 3-foot section; continue painting the length of the greenhouse; reapply every two weeks. In smaller greenhouses without steam heat, use a homemade or commercially manufactured vaporizer. One sulfur vaporizer will treat 1,000 to 1,500 square feet of greenhouse area. Use flowers of sulfur in vaporizers, not wettable sulfur.

Considerations

• Vaporized sulfur will damage so-called sulfur-shy plants like apricots, raspberries, some kinds of cucurbits and other sensitive plants. Never allow a sulfur burner to overheat and ignite the sulfur; sulfur dioxide fumes from burning sulfur are toxic to plants and other organisms. Some vaporizers use a light bulb as a heating element. Always replace a burned out bulb with one of the same size. Although vaporized sulfur has very low toxicity, avoid prolonged breathing of the vapors. Always follow the directions included with your vaporizer.