What is neem oil?

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Neem oil is a plant oil obtained from the fruit of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, which is native to the Indian subcontinent. The oil that Garðaflóra offers for sale is 100% pure, cold-pressed neem oil that is produced and packaged in India.

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Why is neem oil used in gardening?

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There is a long tradition of using neem oil in gardening around the world, both against pests and diseases. It contains, among other things, the substance azadirachtin, which is an approved ingredient in plant protection products and at least one product is available in Iceland where azadirachtin is the active ingredient. It has a multifaceted effect, among other things it causes loss of appetite in pests that feed on leaves. The amount of azadirachtin in pure neem oil varies and is much lower than in such products. In the oil sold by Garðaflóra, the concentration of azadirachtin is < 2000 ppm (1600-1800 ppm). Pure neem oil is therefore not classified as a plant protection product and is not allowed to be marketed as such. 

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Why offer neem oil for sale?

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I'm one of those people who prefers to not use poison unless absolutely necessary, so I'm constantly looking for natural ways to control pests. I have been wanting to try neem oil for a long time, because I have come across reviews about it so many times online. According to the information that can be found on the world wide web, neem oil is a great miracle substance and a remedy for almost all ailments. I took that with a grain of salt, but I still wanted to try it myself and see what effect it really had. My experience in using it has been very positive, so I decided to offer the oil for sale, in case more people want a natural, environmentally friendly alternative. It can be used on indoor plants as well. 

The antifungal activity of neem oil has also been demonstrated in studies and it is used, among other things, in skin care products.

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My experience

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I received some neem oil in the winter of 2021 to try, both indoors and in the garden and have been using it ever since. In my greenhouse, aphids and thrips have been an ongoing problem. After I started experimenting with the neem oil, the situation has improved considerably. The aphids always come back, but what has worked best in the greenhouse is to water both over the plants and in the soil. I have also used it outside in the garden the last two summers on roses and other things that are badly affected by moth larvae. I first sprayed when the plants were leafing out to see if it had any preventative effect, which it didn't. Then I sprayed twice after signs of larvae became visible and what was sprayed was noticeably better than what I didn't spray at all, i.e. the ones I sprayed had leaves, but the ones that weren't sprayed were almost leafless. I also tried spraying a willow plant that was badly attacked by the brazzy leaf beatle (Phratora vitellinae), but the neem oil had no effect on the beetles, they held their own. On the other hand, the larvae on that bush did not appear, so I could not test the effects of the neem oil on them.  I repeat that neem oil is not a pesticide, it does not eliminate pests.  However, it does seem to be useful in keeping pests at bay and thus minimizing their damage. Neem oil can therefore be an option for those who do not want to use poison, but it needs to be sprayed more than once and even more than twice. In a greenhouse, you have to spray/water regularly throughout the summer, but you have to be careful not to spray too often and it's good to rinse the leaves with water every now and then between spraying to avoid build up. It does not need to be repeated as often if the plants are watered with a neem oil mixture, the effect seems to last longer that way, as the plants absorb the active substance through the roots. Plants with thin leaves can be sensitive to the neem oil, so it is advisable to try spraying a small part of the plant first to see if it tolerates it. In my experience it is fine to spray it on most plants, but it damages sweet pea foliage.

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Instructions for use:

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Neem oil is solid at temperatures below 21°C and is therefore right on the edge of being considered an oil rather than a wax. It is mixed with water before use, and in order for it to mix with the water, soap must be mixed in. It is important that the water is very warm, not scalding hot, but preferably around 40°C so that the oil remains liquid during use. Since it is on the verge of being liquid at room temperature, the oil may need to be warmed up before use. It's easy by holding it under hot running water, placing the jar in a hot water bath for a few minutes or on a hot radiator until it's well liquid. The mixing ratio is 5-10 ml of oil in 1 l of water. The oil should be stored in a place where the sun does not shine on the bottle.

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Recipe for a mixture to spray with:

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1 tsp neem oil

1 teaspoon lemon drops (optional)

1/2 teaspoon washing-up liquid (swan labeled) 

filled to 1 l with hot water (approx. 40°C)

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Neem oil has a very characteristic smell that is slightly reminiscent of garlic. The lemon drops give a slightly fresher scent, although they don't overpower the smell of the neem oil, but it can be an advantage in a closed space such as a greenhouse. Oil, lemon drops and soap are mixed together in a jar (or straight into the measuring jug) and mix with 1-2 tablespoons of hot water. Shake well until the oil is well distributed. Pour into a measuring jug (if you used a jar for mixing) and fill up to 1 l with warm water. Pour into a sprayer. Use immediately while the water is warm. It is a good idea to stir the mixture every now and then so that the oil does not separate if a large amount is mixed at once.

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Recipe for a mixture to water with:

 

More suitable, for example, for indoor plants or for plants in a greenhouse.

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1 tbsp neem oil

2 tsp lemon drops (can be omitted)

1/2 tbsp washing-up liquid (preferably swan labeled)

filled to 2 l with hot water (approx. 40°C)

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The manufacturer:

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The oil is produced and packaged by the company Halonutra in India, a small company dedicated to supporting local farmers, with a special focus on creating employment opportunities for women.

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