Question about Neem

[whitewidow2]

Hi... i use neem oil on my plants once a week during veg

I warm up the bottle of neem and then add 5-10ml to about 1L (sometimes less) of water and give them a good spraying.

I hear you can use it as a soil soak as well, but since need starts to solidify below 20 degrees C - if i follow the instructions much like when making my spray mix will adding a litre of warm neem oil mix to the soil damage my roots?

thx

 

[Little Tommy]

I have heard of using it on top of the soil but not as an additive to the nutrient regimen.

 

[whitewidow2]

so should i just spray the top of the soil with the mix instead of using it as a soil soak... it says on the side of the bottle you can use it as a soil soak although i have not tried it yet.

Does anyone on here have any experience of using it this way?

 

[jawbrodt]

I don't use it as a soil soak, but I do like to use it. I spray my plants once or twice during veg, then spray the top on the soil every so often, mostly because it's a spidermite deterrent. Where I grow, I don't have to worry about pests(much.lol), so I've never tried a soil soak. Neem is totally safe to the plants, so don't worry about hurting them if you choose to try it. Spraying the plants should be enough, as the plants absorb the neem and carry it throughout the entire cycle, sorta like built-in protection.

I have a buddy who started mixing it in the water he used to soak his cloning medium, because he was having mold problems. He's been using it ever since, and still gets 5 day rooting.

 

[whitewidow2]

I don't use it as a soil soak, but I do like to use it. I spray my plants once or twice during veg, then spray the top on the soil every so often, mostly because it's a spidermite deterrent. Where I grow, I don't have to worry about pests(much.lol), so I've never tried a soil soak. Neem is totally safe to the plants, so don't worry about hurting them if you choose to try it. Spraying the plants should be enough, as the plants absorb the neem and carry it throughout the entire cycle, sorta like built-in protection.

I have a buddy who started mixing it in the water he used to soak his cloning medium, because he was having mold problems. He's been using it ever since, and still gets 5 day rooting.

Yeah, its good stuff even though it stinks!!

Im curious about trying the soil soak as i get lots of those little black predator flies during veg?

I know it has to be slightly warm when you spray or else it solidifies under 20degrees so id imagine doing a soil soak that the water would have to be warm as well - just dont want to damage the roots.

 

[jawbrodt]

Are those the same as fungus gnats? I tried flooding them with neem, and I swear they eat the stuff. The only way i got rid of them was to cover the top of the soil with a thin layer of sand. It kills the larvae, and also deters the adults from laying new eggs.(they don't like the dryness)

Also, I water my plants with water in the 30* range sometimes,(even 35* a few times, on very hot days) and never had a problem. When I leave my water in the growroom, it get's pretty warm, and the plants don't seem to mind. 20+* won't be a problem, as long as it isn't excessively warm.

 

[whitewidow2]

Are those the same as fungus gnats? I tried flooding them with neem, and I swear they eat the stuff. The only way i got rid of them was to cover the top of the soil with a thin layer of sand. It kills the larvae, and also deters the adults from laying new eggs.(they don't like the dryness)

Also, I water my plants with water in the 30* range sometimes,(even 35* a few times, on very hot days) and never had a problem. When I leave my water in the growroom, it get's pretty warm, and the plants don't seem to mind. 20+* won't be a problem, as long as it isn't excessively warm.

I think thats what i might have as i grow organically in soil and im doing some reading up on it just now and it seems they prefer that environment - anyone any tips on how to get rid of them?

 

[TrynaGroSumShyt]

i have used it as a soak with no ill effect.. i even used it with soap mixed in. just like for foliar

 

[mcpurple]

yes it can be used as a soil soak it will kill any pests in your soil, just go buy the bottle instructions, and it wont get solide in the soil cuz the grow room is usaly above 70, i used it to get rid of fungas knats in my soil,

 

[TrynaGroSumShyt]

yes it can be used as a soil soak it will kill any pests in your soil, just go buy the bottle instructions, and it wont get solide in the soil cuz the grow room is usaly above 70, i used it to get rid of fungas knats in my soil,

just make sure u dont spill it.. remember it is ain oily substance.. n it stinks like old ramen noodle n cabbage

 

[whitewidow2]

i just watered and sprayed the foliage with neem today... should i wait til the soil completely dries out before using it as a soil soak? I hope it fixes the problem - only just found out what they were and what they can do today!

 

[TrynaGroSumShyt]

yes let them dry.. then water them with neem.. and give another foli spray

 

[mcpurple]

what is your prob exactly, and also when usin neem as a foiler spray u should spray with neem, then next time just plain water, other wise the oils biuld up, also should use a foiler in flower eihter the buds will absorb tsate and odor of the neem, is ur usin it for mites u can spray neem every day without the wash

 

[Ghani Bonaduce]

i just watered and sprayed the foliage with neem today... should i wait til the soil completely dries out before using it as a soil soak? I hope it fixes the problem - only just found out what they were and what they can do today!

Hey widow, have you ever tried any of the multitude of bt products out there like gnatrol, or thuricide? They use a bacteria that makes the larvae of the fungus gnats get sick and die. I use it and it works well, usually only have to do it once per grow or new soil purchase. Ive heard of people using neem in soil for gnats with no problems but I know neem is used as soap and toothpaste in some cultures. Pretty sure it has antiseptic/antibacterial properties to it, so it could kill off beneficial bacteria in the mix. Obviously if you arent growing organically this would be of no concern but if you are its something to think about.

 

[mcpurple]

my neem is all organic, and i thought all was organic

 

[Ghani Bonaduce]

neem certainly is organic, it comes from the seed of a tree. Im not saying the neem isnt organic, Im saying due to its natural antiseptic properties it may kill off some of the beneficial bacteria present in organic soil mix, or organic fertilizers.

 

[mcpurple]

oh ok , i soppose the could happen but it should be fine if u only use it 2-3 times in one grow, at recomended doses

 

[whitewidow2]

thanks for the advice guys... im going to try the neem soil soak once they are dry and ill look into the gnatrol as well.