What it is
An oil pressed from the seeds of the neem, a tree from India. It is a natural insecticide widely used in organic growing.
How it works
It contains a substance (azadirachtin) that makes bugs lose their appetite, stunts their growth and stops them from reproducing. It doesn't kill instantly: it works over a few days. Also, the oil film makes the plant less attractive, so it is also used for prevention.
How it is applied
A few drops per liter of warm water with a little potassium soap (oil alone doesn't mix with water). Spray with the light off, on top and under the leaves. For prevention, once a week in veg.
Precautions
With strong light on top, the oil burns the leaves a little. Not used in flowering: it stays on the buds and has a strong smell. Don't mix it with sulfur.
After curing
Getting rid of the pest or mold stops the damage, but it does not give back what the plant already lost: eaten leaves do not come back and the plant recovers on its own, little by little. During those days it is best not to do anything else to it: no pruning, no training, no sudden changes. The longer it had the pest, the harder it is.
▲ Pros
- Kills thrips
▼ Cons
- If there's already spider mite, whitefly or powdery mildew, it doesn't cure them
- Doesn't protect against botrytis
- Under strong light it slightly burns leaves
🎮 Practice it in UnderGrow
It cures thrips and, for a week (7 days, 7 real h), prevents spider mite, whitefly, thrips and powdery mildew: while it lasts, they take hold much less. It doesn't protect from botrytis. With the light at 18 hours (or in strong sun) it stresses the plant a little. Curing doesn't give health back: it rises on its own, only with the stress bar below 20 % (and that bar drops 1 % per game hour if nothing happens to it). Until then, don't prune or train it.
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