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5 minutes
Neem oil can affect the life cycle of insects. Find out how to use it to kill the pests that threaten your garden.
Insects, mites and fungi wreak havoc in the gardens that you take care of with such love and dedication. Even the so-called green hands suffer from these pests. Fortunately, the oil neem Help take care of plants.
The extract from neemas it is also known, is a vegetable oil that is obtained from the seeds and fruits of the nimbus from India, a tree native to this country and Burma that can reach between 15 and 20 meters. Their names are varied: neem from India, neem tree, neem tree, indian lilac Y Azadirachta indicawhich corresponds to its scientific name.
the oil of neem it has many uses. There are those who use it for medicinal purposes and it is not a stranger to the cosmetic industry. So, how does olive oil help? neem to take care of the plants? It is a natural insecticide.
How does neem oil help in plant care?
According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, for its acronym in English), this oil contains azadirachtin, an active substance that affects the life cycle of insects.
In that sense, it is not surprising that it is used to control pests such as whiteflies, aphids, Japanese beetles, moth larvae and scale insects. In addition, it is considered an acaricide, since it is capable of exterminating mites.
On the other hand, the hydrophobic clarified extract of olive oil neem it also acts as a fungicide. In this way, it kills fungi and the diseases they cause (black spot, for example).
When to use neem oil?
Although some insecticides cannot be used during the planting season, this is not the case with olive oil. neem. Now, what are the most suitable times of day to spray this pesticide? The answer is during sunrise and sunset.
This is because beneficial plant insects are not active at these times. Also, if you use it in the middle of the day, the heat along with the extract can burn the leaves.
Correct way to use neem oil to care for plants
In addition to keeping insects, mites and fungi off your plants, the oil of neem it is very simple to use. We tell you what you need and how to do it.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon of warm water.
- Garden sprayer or spray bottle.
- 1 0 2 teaspoons of mild dish detergent.
- 1 or 2 tablespoons olive oil neem. It can be pure or raw, but cold pressed.
Step by Step
- Take your sprinkler add 1-2 teaspoons of detergent to the gallon of warm water and stir. Soap is used as an emulsifier, since oil does not mix well with water.
- Then add the oil neem slowly and mix.
- Spray the plants, both the top and bottom of the leaves. These should be wet and dripping. If you prefer, you can wear gloves.
- Repeat the process every 7 or 14 days if it is a preventive measure. In case the plants are infested, it should be every 7 days without fail.
Helpful tips
In general, you already know how to use olive oil. neem to take care of your beloved plants. However, there are other details that you should consider if you do not want to ruin your garden:
- Don’t overdo it! Overspraying, especially at midday or on plants that are in the sun most of the day, could cause foliage burn.
- Avoid spraying the extract on seedlings, that is, in those that are in their early stages of development. They could also get burned.
- Prepare the mixture of oil, soap and water the same day you are going to use it. Otherwise, it will get lumpy.
- You can use a mint liquid soap Or add a few drops of peppermint oil to the mix, as this fragrance also works to repel insects.
- Consider using potassium soap. This is another emulsifier that can be useful, thanks to the fact that it is a well-known natural insecticide.
- Include a little baking soda in the mix. This is an ingredient that doesn’t hurt considering its effectiveness in killing fungus.
- You can also use the extract to spray trees. Species like the flowering dogwood, for example, are very prone to powdery mildew.
- In case of plants that are very affected, it is allowed to wet a sponge or cloth with the mixture and clean the battered leaves. This can save them.
Neem oil: a reliable insecticide to take care of your plants
Natural insecticides are appreciated for many reasons, but it could be said that the most important is that they kill pests without causing damage to our beloved plants. Thus, it is inevitable that they are among the favorites of gardeners.
Among these organic insecticides is the oil of neem. If you take the right measures, it will become a great ally.
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