Bugs Bugs and more Bugs !

[Oscarman]

Although I don't like to spray th chems anytime - when the bugs bite I get out the Neem oil for the first shot, followed by End-All for the second and followed by Neem oil for the third. Three treatments applied 5-7 days apart is very effective. I always apply the following day after a good watering so nobody is stressed about the situation!

Neem is supposed to be used within 6 hrs (?) of mixing. Someone said if you have leftover to drench your pots with it?? Was that here at RVO?! Never tried it though. Usually I spray my Virginia Creeper outside with leftovers.......the whitefly is constantly trying to invade!

[Piper]

I remember hearing about Neem having a shelf life and I checked with several bigtime growers who use it a lot. They said nonsense. Which makes sense. You're only adding water. The small bit of soap is merely an emulsifier.

I'll sometimes have a mixed bottle around for 6 months, and I've never seen its effectiveness decline.

Julie

[Tmai]

Cool. I've wondered about Neem's shelf life too. Just didn't make any sense to throw it out!!! I hate wasting anything.
BTW, Dave, what is End-All?

Tmai

[Gin]

Danger Will Robinson !
This is spider mite weather where I live, hot and dry . I have started my weekly mite check with a wet piece of tissue rubbing it across the under leaf surface . No orange they are ok orange streaks ... Get out the spray .
My daughter had a %$#$ of a mess with them on her Phals. false spider mites no webs , I treated them with Safers every 3rd day . If mine I would of used Keltane . They can wreck a plant before you know there is a problem .. .. Gin

[Oscarman]

Cool. I've wondered about Neem's shelf life too. Just didn't make any sense to throw it out!!! I hate wasting anything.
BTW, Dave, what is End-All?

Tmai

End-All is a insecticide containing pyrethrins and canola oil and is made Safer's. I grow in my basement, so low human toxicity and stink is a biggie. Neem oil smells a bit, but it goes away in a day or two and End-All has very low odour.

[rexlacey]

will neem oil work for mealies also? I've got them bad on my phals. on the replys from my last post I got several good hints and tips. I may try them all!! thanks, rexlacey

[ksriramkumar]

Yes. Neem oil does work on mealies. 5ml Mix neem oil with a 2ml liquid soap to disperse neem in 1L of water. you could use warm water to have better effect.

[Carolla]

One caveat about Neem oil - if you use it, do not put your plant right out in the sun. The oil magnifies the sun on the leaves and can cause damage. Once it is dry, no problem. I learned the hard way, now my plants go under lights for a day or two, then back on the windowsill after Neem oil. It does, however, help with the black spots from fungus too.

[ksriramkumar]

Agree with Carol. Use neem oil or any oil with care. use it early in the morning and avoid exposing the plant to heavy sun for next couple of days.

[OrchisAmor]

Gin - thanks for some complete and helpful information! I'm greatful that I haven't had the experience of any kind of scale yet! They sound completely horrible and most frustrating! Fingers crossed that I don't have them on my orchids (altough unlikely, but still a wishful prospect).