Neem oil spray ruining my rose leaves?
Rose (MI Zone 6a)
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
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Comments (7)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 months agoRose (MI Zone 6a)
10 months agoRelated Discussions
Neem Oil application damaged my Michelia Alba new growth
Comments (16)Oh, I never thought about that, but oils do get rancid relatively quickly. I'll move mine to the fridge....hubby will love that! I have mix components all over the dining room, plants starting in the hallway, African Violet leaves rooting in plastic bags on the fireplace mantel and now Neem in the fridge. Sure, this is how everyone lives, isn't it?...See MoreNeem oil spray
Comments (19)Hi Don: Thank you for an excellent question, I wonder the same. In rainy spring I had Gruss an Teplitz rose in the shade, it was infested with aphids despite the granular gypsum (calcium sulfate) in the pot. Hi Khalid (RoserianPK): Thank you for that info. about Neem. That's very interesting! I appreciate your input both from your hot climate of Pakistan, and your recent relocation to Canada. Later I found that gypsum from Menards doesn't dissolve, and gunk up after months. I have Sharifa Asma in partial shade, it's infested with aphid. I gave it soluble gypsum bought for $8 for 5 lbs. from Kelp4Less (free shipping) ... Instant result: thicker stems and leaves, and no more aphids. Gypsum contains 17% sulfur, great for my pH 8 tap water and pH 7.7 clay, but not good for those with acidic soil and neutral tap water. As the pH drops, less potassium and calcium available for plants. I accidentally induced aphids on Christopher Marlowe when I gave it too much sulfur, leaves became thinner, stems became less rigid, and more succulent for aphids to chew. Calcium chloride is used in canning to firm up fruits and vegetables. Calcium chloride is documented in agriculture for better root growth. It's higher in salt than gypsum (salt index of 8), but calcium chloride is fast-acting. There are better forms of calcium, depending on your soil /climate /tap water: Gypsum provides 22% calcium, 17% sulfur, with salt index of 8.1, used to de-salt sodic soil, also to neutralize bicarbonates in alkaline tap water. Dolomitic Limestone provides 25% calcium and 10% magnesium, salt index 0.8, sandy soil lacks magnesium Calcitic limestone provides 36% calcium when the rain water (pH 5.6) breaks it down, low salt index 4.7 Colloidal rock phosphate provides 19% calcium and 18% phosphate. Best for acidic soil, cannot be utilized at pH over 7. Hard rock phosphate provides 48% calcium and 30% phosphate, cannot be utilized at pH over 7. From EarthCo. soil testing company booklet: Steamed bone meal has 11% phosphorus and 24% calcium. Bone meal cannot be utilized if the pH is over 7. Superphosphate provides 20% calcium, 12% sulfur, and 20% phosphorus, low salt index 7.8 Wood ashes provides 20% calcium, 2% phosphorus, 7% potassium, magnesium, and all trace elements. CAUTION: Wood ash is very alkaline, pH over 10, will burn roots if applied directly to plants. Below is an excellent research by Texas Agricultural Extension, documenting how SOLUBLE calcium increases ammonium, phosphorus, potassium absorption, and stimulates photosynthesis and plant growth. Here is a link that might be useful: Using soluble calcium to stimulate plant growth This post was edited by Strawberryhill on Sun, Sep 8, 13 at 13:06...See Moreis it ok to spray a plant with neem oil, and then Bayer the next day?
Comments (4)I guess it all depends on how much water your schefflera can safely take right now. I would wait until it needs a good watering to apply the Bayer systemic if that's what you're going to do, since you'll need to water it in or apply in a pre mix solution. Neem and the systemic work differently, so I don't see a problem with using both approaches as long as the soil isn't overly saturated for too long by the treatments. Neem also makes the plant more susceptible to sun burn, so keep that in mind. There will be many generations of aphids on your plant from egg-juvenile-adult, as well as below soil level. Unless you completely saturate the plant and the soil with neem, it won't knock them all out with a single application. Even then, I'm not certain that neem will kill unhatched eggs. And it definitely won't prevent new infestations from happening. I'm not a huge fan of systemic pesticides because they also kill beneficial insects (as does neem), but they are necessary at times to save a plant. A cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution (or hand sanitizer) will make quick work of those aphids that are visible until you can treat with a systemic. Keep in mind that many systemics come with added fertilizers (designed for shrubs and roses)- which your bonsai may not react well to in its pre-fab concentration. There are a few without fertilizer, I would suggest one of those instead and continue with your own fertilization schedule. I've never used a systemic on smaller plants, just shrubs and roses and a very large copse of prickly pear- all badly infected with various scale insects. I do plan to apply systemic treatment to a potted crested opuntia (almost impossible to manually clean) with scale soon, but am waiting until it shows a spring break of dormancy first, when a soil drench of systemic pesticide solution will be possible. Until then, I'm manually removing the scale as I can once a week to keep things under control. I'm also keeping it separate from other plants to prevent spread of infection. I've found that aphids are often symbiotically socialized with ants that 'farm' them for their honeydew and aggressively protect them from predators. The ants will protect the aphids, almost like shepherds with sheep. Spraying off aphids will eliminate some, but I've also witnessed ants tenderly carrying aphids back to the plant from the soil. It's very sweet, but obnoxious....See MoreNeem cake tea for spraying instead of Neem Oil
Comments (2)I hadn't heard of Neem meal until your post, so I looked it up. Apparently, Neem Seed Meal is what's left of the seed after the extraction of oil. Therefore, it shouldn't burn like the Neem oil does. Down to Earth says the meal "is an excellent way to strengthen root systems, improve plant immunity and balance nutrient levels in the soil". According to reviews, the downside is cost compared to other seed meals and an unpleasant Neem smell. But perhaps the benefits are great. I hope you report back on how it does for you. I'm especially interested if you think it helps with insect resistance. I might give it a try....See MoreSheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
10 months agoMoses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
10 months agolast modified: 10 months agoRose (MI Zone 6a)
10 months agoSheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
10 months ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)