Your opinion on neem oil as a preventative

[VirginHarvester]

Outdoor grow in pots:

I am planning to start using neem oil as a foilage spray once a week to prevent mold and bugs. I am also planning to spray around on under the pots to help keep ants and other bugs from hanging out.


I hear that you can put a little neem in your water so that when you water a little neem gets in the soil and prevents some things from getting started.. Any idea if it hurts or is a bad idea to add a little neem to your watering?

 

[inflorescence]

If you have no pests at the moment you'll get the best transpiration without the addition of an oil to the stomata.
IMO neem should only be used as an action against a specific pest but your question is a good one.

 

[cough_cough_eer]

I grow indoors but I've used neen oil as a prevenitive and works very well for me.I spray the plants every 2 weeks or so..

 

[Guest]

neem is good but hot weather and neem is not so good its a judgement call no bugs or problems and treating the bottom and the area around plant should be enough.

 

[Ed Borg]

Since Neem Oil is 100% biological you cannot go wrong with it as long as you mix it in moderation. Being consistant in your routine is just as important. We spray Neem Oil at least once a week on all vegging plants regardless, and the plants thrive from it. With flowering plants, do not spray after the 4th week on the buds themselves. We are having fine results continuing to spray 1-2 a week after the 4th week if necessary around the stems and surrounding area where the plants sit.

 

[VirginHarvester]

I started using it yesterday but will probably use it in moderation, and not coat the entire plant, and make the mix a little lighter than recommended on the instructions.

Octodiem, when you say "treating the bottom" are you talking about the underside of the leaves? I was thinking to spray there wards off the bugs and doesn't magnify the sun so much as spraying on top of the leaves. But, doesn't a lot of important "breathing" take place from the underside of the leaves which neem would inhibit?

 

[Guest]

I was talking about spraying around plant and the bottom few inches. neem repels insects also.

 

[inflorescence]

neem is good but hot weather and neem is not so good

That's a good point.
There is a 120 (or is it 130 or 140 [Damn you mj lol]) rule to use with oil and weather.
If the temp + rH is above 120 (or 130 or 140) then don't foliar oil to prevent phytotoxicity.
If below then ok.

 

[Guest]

H Resin,

We spray Neem Oil at least once a week on all vegging plants regardless, and the plants thrive from it.

Why do plants "thrive" from neem oil?