I just received my new Logee's catalog (much drooling here!) and they carry Neem Oil in their catalog. I thought it might be helpful to share some of their description of this product:
"A safe and effective organic leaf polisher. . .It acts as a growth regulator on the maturing insects, that is, it prevents them from developing. As an oil, it smothers eggs and adults and it's a repellent and anti-feedant. Neem oil also acts as a fungicide for mildew and other fungal diseases. . . We love Neem oil because it doesn't damage the leaves unlike other horticultural oils. . ."
I think Critterologist (sorry if I'm wrong) mentioned that she used Neem on some of her plants with mildew and the mildew disappeared, which would be confirmed by Logee's. I've never used it for mildew so I can't comment on that point (used Lysol and sulfur). I have not had a mildew problem for years though, which could also correspond with when I began using Neem.
Neem, Part II :)
It's true, I have some begonias (Sinbad and Benigo) which are PM magnets. I regularly spray them with neem.
I drool over Logees begonias, and buy a lot from them, they have a new one that I can't wait to get, but want to wait until spring. I'm a bit pre-occupied with AV's at the moment!
Thank you, Plantmom. I have a subconcious instinct to fly over the non-plant products in catalogues. I will be ordering from them.
Kenton
ed. to ask if the price was decent in Logee's or should I look into neem locally?
This message was edited Jan 10, 2006 12:06 AM
Logee's price for Neem is $13.95 for 8 oz.
Worm's Way price for Neem is $7.95 for 8 oz.
I've always ordered mine from Worm's Way because none of the nurseries in my area carry the product. Sometimes you can find it locally, although I would call first and ask so you don't waste your time (unless you're there to check out the plants anyway!). Also, specifically ask for Dyna Grow because it is produced differently than the greenlight brand, i.e., Dyna Grow process is cold press and no impurities result.
Begonia--I already have a list for Logee's. I hear some citrus calling my name! :)
Actually, I used "Oh, we must stop by Dutch Plant Farm so I can pick up some neem oil" as an excuse the other day so I could stop in and check out the plants! (Only one plant followed me home this time -- a potted amaryllis bulb that was on sale.)
I sprayed neem solution on my citrus trees the other day, but it looks like I'll have to get out something a little more heavy duty for the inevitable winter infestations of spider mites and scale.... :-(
Critter, I know this is OT, but how do you keep the humidity up for your citrus? I don't have a greenhouse (yet!), so for my lime plant (currently has tons of fruit) that needs such high humidity, I've put on gravel and spray 3-4 times a day. Do you think that's enough or should I buy a humidifer to put near the plant? (I have a humidifier downstairs for AV's.) I am so afraid of getting spider mites.
plant...sounds like the grvel and spraying should help...if it's typical winter humidity and tree in house...i think id use a humidifier...
PlantMom, the water & gravel in the saucer under the plant seem to help mine, as does the fact that there are just so many plants in the morning room that I think the "local humidity" in that room is probably higher than the house on average.
My silly lime and lemon tree (and sometime the ficus and/or the bay also) insist on getting spider mites and scale pretty much every winter when they are inside. Knock on wood, it generally doesn't spread to other plants much, but I keep an sharp eye out. But nothing seems to fully control the problem (especially the scale) on the citrus, including wiping down with alcohol twig by twig. By spring, they can look pretty tatty, but after a few days out on the deck they are right as rain!
I wonder if they'd be less stressed and thereby less succeptable to scale if I did mist them regularly.... I really need to tile the walls of the morning room so I can do all these things with impunity!
Getting a little more back to the original topic, I wonder if I can try a stronger solution of neem oil on plants like my citrus... will it burn the plant if used full strength or just slightly diluted? I'm thinking I could wipe it directly on a couple of twigs that have serious scale developing.... ??
I used a higher concentration of Neem on a dwarf weeping pussywillow tree in my landscape when it got a severe infestation this past spring. Did not hurt it a bit, although the bugs were gone within 2 days!
I'll try it on a bad part.... if it just burns a couple of little twigs, I can always prune a bit. Thanks!
Neem has a broad collection of minor toxins. The seed oil contains azadirachtin, which is the most potent. Whole neem is more effective. Neem leaves are used in curries of southern India. It is not toxic to mammals or birds.
Neem is grown in Florida. I have a Toona but don't know much about it. It is a relative of neem that will grow in Ohio.
Thanks -- that makes me feel better about getting it near the lemon that is ripening!