In the 20th century, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers were the elements of the “green revolution.” They were a must-have product for any plant operation due to their effectiveness in killing pests. The applications ranged from small backyard gardens to vast agricultural fields.
Over time, we have become aware of synthetic pesticides’ dangers and adverse effects. Because of their chemical composition, most of them significantly harm ecosystems in nature.
Fortunately, we have Neem oil.
What is Neem Oil?
The oil extracted from the neem tree leaves and seeds is an effective organic remedy. It can be used to control insects and diseases like Aphids and spider mites in your garden.
Neem is found in numerous other products we use at home, such as toothpaste, soaps, and cosmetics.
Neem Oil Smell
Neem oil is a potent scent of garlic/nutty that is unpleasant for some but adored by those who have experienced its therapeutic and protective properties. Certain companies will deodorize the oil to remove the smell; however, we believe that potency and benefits are lost through this procedure. Including essential oils for therapeutic use is preferential, which can mask the powerful Neem scent and provide advantages in the final product.
How to Make Neem Oil Spray at Home?
Yes, you can! It’s a straightforward recipe that doesn’t need any effort. What’s remarkable about using neem oil is that your homemade neem oil spray will be more powerful than a commercial spray.
This is because you are responsible for choosing the best quality pure Neem oil. This will allow you to obtain a large quantity of Azadirachtin in your remedy. This active ingredient can kill insects. Mixing the contents by yourself, you can mix more than the spray available at stores.
Find ” raw” or ” crude” Neem oil that is 100% natural as well as cold-pressed. It must be cold-pressed since heat can destroy Azadirachtin. The result is that oils derived from heat are deficient in the active compound.
Another benefit of purchasing purely organic neem oil is that it helps to avoid contamination. When it is processed, the neem oil could contain solvents and chemicals. They can be dangerous if they are exposed to your plants.
To make the neem oil spray on your own, you will require the following components:
- Neem oil
- Water
- Emulsifier
Neem oil does not blend with water. It requires an emulsifying ingredient, such as dishwashing soap, to efficiently mix the oil. The mild liquid soap could serve as an emulsifier that will ensure the water and neem oil are mixed.
Process of Making Neem Oil Spray
In order to make 1 Liter of basic neem oil spray (mild 0.5 percent ), you will require:
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of the neem oil
- 1 Liter of warm water
- 1 – 2 milliliters ( 1/3 teaspoon) of liquid soap
Equipment required:
- Garden sprayer
- Spray bottle
- Protection gloves
Instructions
Step1: Mix the Detergent and Water.
Combine liquid dish soap in warm water in the sprayer. Mix thoroughly.
Step 2: Add Oil.
After mixing the water and detergent, gradually introduce one tablespoon of neem oil. Mix well.
When to Use Neem Oil Spray on Plants?
Spray all plant surfaces (including the undersides and tops of the leaves) until they are completely wet and drippy. Use protective gloves to prevent any drips of oil. The neem oil should be applied as a preventative measure. If used to combat the existing infestation, apply this oil mixture each day for seven days.
Spray neem oil onto leaves in the morning or the evening when beneficial bugs are not active and are not pollinating or feeding. Be sure to avoid spraying in the middle of the day, when the sun and heat can harm the foliage that has been sprayed.
Pesticides are typically employed at specific times of the season; however, neem oil is a great option throughout the growing season. Neem oil is efficient at any time during the season since it affects insects throughout every stage of their growth.
How to Use Neem Oil Spray on Plants?
- Always test an area of a specific size before applying the Neem Spray to the whole garden. Draw a line around a portion of leaves on your highly affected plant. Spray the area to observe any adverse effects during the daytime.
- It is a great preventative solution and can be applied frequently when your plants suffer from imminent pest problems.
- Make sure that the leaves are completely coated with the spray. This ensures that the active ingredients will contact fungi, pests, and even insects.
- Avoid spraying your plants at extreme temperatures like hot and cold. Be sure to avoid spraying the neem oil spray in the direct sunlight.
- If your plants suffer from poor growth conditions, like drought or overwatering, be sure not to treat them until they are in better shape. It is not advisable to cause further harm by spraying the plants.
- If your plant is responsive to the spray within one day, it’s the green signal you are looking for to apply it to your garden. Neem oil sprays are a good option to use once weekly to get the best results.
- While the EPA acknowledges products derived from neem oil as safe, ensure you cleanse all fruits and vegetables from your garden before using them.
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Neem Oil Spray For Indoor Plants
Here is a brief outline of the steps to help you get started indoors:
- Take the neem oil spray in a spray bottle and shake it vigorously.
- Check it out with a small leaf before applying it to the entire plant to ensure there’s no harm.
- Spray the plant with the neem oil spray and cover the bottom and top leaves, as well as every corner and crevice.
- Ensure the plant is kept out of direct light until its leaves have dried.
- Use it regularly every couple of weeks until you don’t notice any bugs.
Uses of Neem Oil Spray in Your Garden
Neem oil is renowned for its ability to be an efficient insecticide. However, there’s more to this fantastic oil, and here’s how to get the most of it.
Neem Oil Insecticide
Chemical pesticides reduce the ability of bees to collect the food it needs, leading to their demise in the end. The use of pesticides has led to a decrease in pollinators in recent years. Organic farmers love neem oil since it allows spot treatments with no impact on the environment or beneficial insects. It is not harmful to bird species, beneficial insects, and other creatures that love the soil, such as bees, lady beetles, butterflies, and earthworms.
Neem oil insecticides are often the best option for insecticides if mites cause problems for your plants. Neem oil has Azadirachtin, a chemical that disrupts the regular insect life cycle, such as feeding, egg-laying, and mating. It is used to combat numerous pests, including whiteflies and aphids, Japanese beetles, moth larvae, scale, and spider mites.
Neem oil can also be described as a miticide since it kills mites which aren’t insects but are closely related to insects like spiders and ticks. Sprays that contain a pure hydrophobic extract from the neem oil are used to treat fungicides for black spots, rust, mildew, scabs, anthracnose, blight, and botrytis.
Neem oil insecticide attacks the larvae of various bugs and kills other bugs directly. It is possible to spray neem oil to start before following it up with the release of beneficial bugs. This is an excellent method to control pests on your property.
Neem oil is the gift of nature to plants. If used in small amounts, it will not cause harm to large or medium bees and hives. This is a win-win situation for organic gardeners since they can ensure that their plants and pollinators remain alive.
Neem Oil as a Foliar Spray
Neem oil is efficient in eliminating insects at different levels of their life. This makes it a fantastic solution for all seasons. It can be used as a foliar spray in order to combat common pests throughout the season of growth. The most common pests are aphids, leafhoppers, and whiteflies.
Neem oil may also be utilized during the winter to eliminate overwintering bugs and laying eggs on plants. Examples include scale mites, leaf curling due to Aphids in the spring, caterpillars, their eggs, and leaf rollers.
Neem Oil as a Fertilizer
Neem cake is a byproduct of neem kernels that have been cold-pressed and fruits and is made of organic manure. The thing that makes this cake unique is that it can be utilized as fertilizer and a pesticide.
Neem cake is a great way to fertilize the soil, extending the amount of nitrogen available. It also assists in the control of the white and black ants as well as nematodes and grubs.
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