After spending a few hours murdering mealy-bugs with a pair of tweezers, I started thinking whether it would be more efficient using insecticidal soap.
What I want to know is, have any of you discovered a soap recipe that successfully removes mealy-bugs from the nooks and crannies of a plant?
Is Neem oil safe for Succulents, Cacti and Lithops?
Insecticidal Soap? Solved
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- BryanW
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Insecticidal Soap?
Enthusiastic novice with a keen interest in South African flora
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- Brian
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Re: Insecticidal Soap?
I water with neem oil two or three times per year. Probably best to water the soil & avoid the plants, although I have never harmed the bodies of plants to date with neem.it is very effective; bit late with a first water with neem this year.
Really bad doses - rare - are isolated immediately outside, then jet washed with soapy water, followed by a further wash in washing up liquid. Give it a couple of days to dry out, then repot in fresh soil.
I find washing up liquid pretty good, with paint brush to get in the nooks and crannies. If there are masses of spikes ...... I have no idea what to do!
Really bad doses - rare - are isolated immediately outside, then jet washed with soapy water, followed by a further wash in washing up liquid. Give it a couple of days to dry out, then repot in fresh soil.
I find washing up liquid pretty good, with paint brush to get in the nooks and crannies. If there are masses of spikes ...... I have no idea what to do!
- BryanW
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Re: Insecticidal Soap?
Hi Brian,
I've never used Neem oil so this is a new method for me
Do you dilute the Neem if so what with? and what ratio would you recommend?
and finally.... could it be sprayed on to the plant itself?
Thank you for your response
I've never used Neem oil so this is a new method for me
Do you dilute the Neem if so what with? and what ratio would you recommend?
and finally.... could it be sprayed on to the plant itself?
Thank you for your response
Enthusiastic novice with a keen interest in South African flora
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- Martin
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Re: Insecticidal Soap?
Interesting you water it and say keep off the plants
I have done the opposite, in that I make an emulsion in warm water (has to be warm or the oil can set solid before it disperses)
Add a little liquid soap to help it disperse. Add about 5ml oil to 1 lt of water and a few drops of liquid saop
Shake well and spray and keep shaking while spraying. I use a 5 ltr pressure spray
It definitely helps keep things like red spider in check, spray in evenings after sun has gone off the plants
What do you use for the water in mix ?
I have done the opposite, in that I make an emulsion in warm water (has to be warm or the oil can set solid before it disperses)
Add a little liquid soap to help it disperse. Add about 5ml oil to 1 lt of water and a few drops of liquid saop
Shake well and spray and keep shaking while spraying. I use a 5 ltr pressure spray
It definitely helps keep things like red spider in check, spray in evenings after sun has gone off the plants
What do you use for the water in mix ?
Martin
Northern Hampshire
Secretary Oxford Branch
'Thelocactus' National Plant Collection
Northern Hampshire
Secretary Oxford Branch
'Thelocactus' National Plant Collection
- BryanW
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Re: Insecticidal Soap?
Hi Martin,
That seems more like a method I could utilise post-haste
Thanks for your response
That seems more like a method I could utilise post-haste
Thanks for your response
Enthusiastic novice with a keen interest in South African flora
A Member of; Haworthia Society - BCSS - MSG
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- Brian
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Re: Insecticidal Soap?
I use the method described by Martin & bought from The Neem Team, google them ( I am not on commission). As Martin says, the neem oil does not dissolve easily, so add a drop or more of washing up liquid to a small measure and make an emulsion, using warm water, then dissolve per supplier instructions.
Interesting that you spray on the plants, Martin. I did exactly that on the first couple of uses. I mentioned it to somebody at a branch meeting, not a member of our branch, who said that the neem would .... or might? ....... scorch the plants. So After that I watered in, instead of sprayed. I must say when I did spray I never got any marking on plants, but some plants might be adversely affected. Echeverias, perhaps?
Interesting that you spray on the plants, Martin. I did exactly that on the first couple of uses. I mentioned it to somebody at a branch meeting, not a member of our branch, who said that the neem would .... or might? ....... scorch the plants. So After that I watered in, instead of sprayed. I must say when I did spray I never got any marking on plants, but some plants might be adversely affected. Echeverias, perhaps?
- Martin
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Re: Insecticidal Soap?
I agree I would not spray echiverias or plants with the nice white waxy covering
Never seen any issues relating damaging the plants but don't do it with the sun on them
M
Never seen any issues relating damaging the plants but don't do it with the sun on them
M
Martin
Northern Hampshire
Secretary Oxford Branch
'Thelocactus' National Plant Collection
Northern Hampshire
Secretary Oxford Branch
'Thelocactus' National Plant Collection
- BryanW
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Re: Insecticidal Soap? Solved
All noted Guys
Thank you both
Thank you both
Enthusiastic novice with a keen interest in South African flora
A Member of; Haworthia Society - BCSS - MSG
BCSS Member 51898
A Member of; Haworthia Society - BCSS - MSG
BCSS Member 51898