Contributed by: Grndaum
Submitted: 31-08-2003
Neem insecticide classification: organic, systemic, preventative, general insecticide
Ingredients:
50g Neem cake
1 liter water
Neem cake is not a cake, per s - neem cake consists of neem seed kernels that are left over after the oil is pressed from the seeds
Making the solution:
soak neem cake overnight
strain with cloth or tea bag
add 1/3 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to strained solution.
Usage:
Neem combats in excess of 400 harmful insect species, including thrips and the dreaded spider mite!
Spray plants liberally (be sure to spray bottom of leaves as well) up to 2 times/week during heavy infestations. Spray every 2 to 4 weeks as a preventative measure.
note:
Since Neem is a systemic agent that basically makes pests lose their appetite and stop reproducing, do not expect pests to die immediately. Multiple applications, spanning 2 to 3 weeks, will be necessary if you are facing a severe infestation of spider mites, for example.
Unlike neem oil solutions, this extract solution can be safely used up until 10 to 14 days prior to harvest, if necessary. Furthermore, it is less likely to burn the new growth. Another added bonus: it is a mild foliar fertilizer.
This stuff stinks, but smell should disappear within a week since the active ingredients break-down rapidly when exposed to light. The left-over Neem Cake can be worked into the soil as a nice organic fert for the vegetative phase.
credit: Many thanks to my local organic florist, my local growshop, and The Agent from Cannabis in Austria for advice and information about this recipe.
Where can I find neem cake?
Im not sure where you would find them in your area... your best bet is probably an organic gardening store or a grow shop. Neem products can also be found easily online, neem keyword.
If you are interested in learning more about Neem, you can visit
www.neemfoundation.org |