Please tell me about Neem Oil.
grice
16 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (40)
lucy
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agojustaguy2
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
About Neem Oil
Comments (41)There are many products on the market that claim 'neem' as an ingredient. Often, the 'neem' is combined with other insecticides and a vehicle that makes emulsification and thus delivery/application easier. If these products have used neem oil that was altered or obtained by a process other than cold-pressing, the value or effectiveness of the essential ingredient azadirachtin has likely been reduced or negated entirely. I have read reports in these & other forums about growers using products like Bio-Neem by Bonide (and others) and having less than what they consider stellar results, while I continue to use the cold-pressed product, such as is produced by Dyna-Gro, with what I consider very safe and very good results. Remember that neem oil doesn't deliver a huge initial knockdown punch, but it IS a powerful antifeedant and chemosterilizer, rendering current generations unable to feed or progress through metamorphic stages to adulthood, and rendering adults sterile. Cold-pressed neem oil is excellent on mites & works initially in the same way as hort oils work, with the added benefits of the other properties already noted. This from a recent post @ another forum site: "As I consider the prophylactic use of any insecticide, including systemics, I guess I have to say that about the only compound that fits that description for me is neem oil. I over-winter around 100 tropical plants (most are normally grown as houseplants, but my focus is on bonsai) under lights in my basement. About 2 weeks before bring them in, I apply neem oil - then again a day or two before I bring them in. Normally these applications keep insect levels in check all winter, though I may see some scale or mite populations appearing toward winter's tail. If it gets too bad, I'll do a neem application & hold out until I get the plants outdoors where the increase in the plant's metabolism and thus natural defenses, along with the increase in beneficial predators, usually completely eliminates the trouble. The bio-compounds plants use to repel plants are a by-product of the plant's metabolism. Plants with high energy reserves and plants growing with good vitality are much better protected 'naturally' from insect predation, which is why plants in low light and those that are just limping along are far more likely to be troubled by insects. I very often diagnose the occurrence of insect infestations as the end product of poor cultural conditions, and the greatest, most frequent offender is a poor soil." I'm not implying you're using a poor soil; I know you're not, but others might wish to consider the corollary. Al...See MoreNeem Oil
Comments (10)Forensicmom-- Unfortunately, there is no all-purpose insecticide. You have to identify the pests and choose an appropriate control for each. Observe carefully and ask detailed questions on the appropriate GW forum. Read fact sheets for the various plants at the website of your state's ag extension service. These will usually describe the main pests and diseases for, say, tomatoes in Oklahoma. There are three types of neem insecticide. The majority of neem oils in garden centers have had the azadirachtin removed. These are labeled "hydrophobic extract of neem." These products may not be functionally different from canola oil or mineral oil; that is, they can't do anything but smother small sedentary insects. Neem oils containing azadirachtin are labeled "whole neem oil." Azadirachtin extract is sold separately, and packages will show that term under "active ingredient." You may find it at good garden centers. It is a somewhat systemic chemical that, if ingested or absorbed, prevents all insects from molting through the growth stages. It should not be applied to open flowers because of the danger to bees....See MoreNeem oil
Comments (20)Sheerbar thank you for the information. I like your method for using neem - it is easy. I will try it next time. I did decide to use neem and it works. I got it from Golden Harvest Organics and asked them what formula to use for a cat. This is what they said "For cats you want to mix the neem as follows: Mix 1/4 ounce neem oil with 1 quart of warm water. You will need to keep the mix agitated so the oil and water stay mixed. Lightly spray the cat while ruffling her fur to get the mixture close to her skin but avoid spraying her face. It is best to follow this treatment with a good brushing. If she won't let you spray her then wet a cloth or cotton glove with the neem mix and rub it over her coat and then brush. The glove method has worked pretty well for one of my cats that is feral. He gets "feisty" and a bath is not possible. Depending on how your cat tolerates it you might try doing a small section of her fur at a time until she becomes more used to it. Once she gets some relief from the fleas she should start accepting the treatment better." My feral cat didn't like the spray but was fine with me putting neem on my hand and then rubbing it in her fur....See MoreNeem Oil
Comments (7)I thought that was the idea of useing Neem oil that it let the leaves breath?? I am off work tomorrow and I plan to sit down with them and then make up my mind on weather to use what Karyn said to use or to use the neem oil... I don't know if I can wipe them and not get any water into the soil of the rootings but I am going to give it a try... I had no problems until I brought these into the house for winter.. Karyn, do I use alcohol/liquid soap for a few days in a row or do I use it once then rinse a few days in a row? It rained her lastnight so this may also help for the potted ones... See you all after work. Susan...See Moretapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)