VirginHarvester
Well-Known Member
I'm growing outdoors. By and large my two month old plants look great. They don't have any mold and bugs are eating a few leaves but nothing much. My new/seedlings are struggling but I believe that's a soil issue that I've worked out. Unfortunately I am getting a lot of rain lately and that will continue. I would like them to dry for a few days. But having said that, everything looks good otherwise.
So, I was planning to use some neem oil as a preventative for bugs, mold, etc. I have heard and read it does no harm. I especially want to make sure these seedlings I have make it and don't get eaten. So I go to buy some at a grow shop today and they tell me that it can magnify the sun and hurt young plants and that neem is only a contact solution- that it works when you put it on but has very little residual value against bugs or mold. Plus, I was told I needed to mix it with a $10 emulsifier to make it spread out and cover the plant and not act like an oil, if that makes sense to you. So the cost would be around $30 for regular neem and an emulsifier. Then they showed me a neem oil that has the cayanne pepper and other additives that really keep bugs away but I was told even that only lasts a day or so and it cost about $40 with the emulsifier.
I have been under the impression that neem works great if you mix it with water and shake it before you spray each plant. I also thought it has a residual value that would make it last about a week between uses- that's important because I only go to the site once a week to water and nute.
So what's the real deal with neem- was this grow shop right about it not really working more than a day or so as a preventative and would it burn plants by magnification(like suntan oil)?
So, I was planning to use some neem oil as a preventative for bugs, mold, etc. I have heard and read it does no harm. I especially want to make sure these seedlings I have make it and don't get eaten. So I go to buy some at a grow shop today and they tell me that it can magnify the sun and hurt young plants and that neem is only a contact solution- that it works when you put it on but has very little residual value against bugs or mold. Plus, I was told I needed to mix it with a $10 emulsifier to make it spread out and cover the plant and not act like an oil, if that makes sense to you. So the cost would be around $30 for regular neem and an emulsifier. Then they showed me a neem oil that has the cayanne pepper and other additives that really keep bugs away but I was told even that only lasts a day or so and it cost about $40 with the emulsifier.
I have been under the impression that neem works great if you mix it with water and shake it before you spray each plant. I also thought it has a residual value that would make it last about a week between uses- that's important because I only go to the site once a week to water and nute.
So what's the real deal with neem- was this grow shop right about it not really working more than a day or so as a preventative and would it burn plants by magnification(like suntan oil)?