Growing blueberries with neem oil and growing other plants organically
This is a product used for safe natural pest management without pesticides.
It is used for organic farming of blueberries and other crops. Neem is perhaps one of the most important products sold commercially for organic farming. People value this as a natural pesticide and insect repellent. Neem oil is a pure, unformulated oil and is not registered for use as an insecticide, fungicide, or any specific herbal use. It is said to be a large-scale fungicide, insecticide and miticide. 70% neem oil is reported to control many diseases, as well as insects and mites, including whitefly and aphids. Can be used for indoor / outdoor use on plants, flowers, vegetables, and shrubs, including blueberry plants.
It is usually light beige to brown in color and has a fairly strong odor. It is composed mainly of triglycerides and triterpenoid compounds. It does not like to combine with water (that is, it is hydrophobic) and must be made with suitable compounds, such as soap, that reduce the surface tension of the surfactants in water to combine it into an emulsion in water to be applied.
neem oil source
What is?
The neem tree is native to eastern India and Burma. Neem seed oil is a product that has been used in India for thousands of years for pest control and medicinal purposes. Neem oil is made by crushing the seed of the neem tree. This is accomplished by cold pressing the seed of the neem tree while controlling the temperature. A second method used to obtain neem seed oil is to use a solvent for extraction.
Neem oil uses
The special mixtures made are widely used as a natural substance to act as an insect killer for organic farming. 70% It is effective for numerous diseases, as well as insects and mites. It repels a wide variety of pests, including caterpillars that feed on foliage and can be a problem for blueberry plants. Other insects include aphids, whiteflies, beetles, beet armyworm, cabbage worm, fungus gnats, Japanese beetle, leaf miners, locusts, mites, moth larvae, fungus flies, nematodes, mealybug and thrips. Aphids can also be a problem on blueberry plants. They suck the juices from plants (sap feeders) and can be controlled using neem oil. Aphids are also often controlled by ladybugs and other natural enemies. Neem oil has not been shown to be harmful to earthworms, mammals, birds, or some helpful insects like butterflies, ladybugs, and bees. It can be used as a household product to destroy, repel or mitigate the common house fly, for cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, mosquitoes, sans fly, snails, termites. Neem oil also controls anthracnose, black spot, powdery mildew, and rust (fungus).
Neem oil affects a wide variety of insects. Using it can be an important part of a way to achieve an integrated insect control strategy. It is a bioinhibitor of insects absorbed by pests. It interferes with reproduction and feeding resulting in a constant reduction of insect inhabitants. It is biodegradable. My friend used it to get rid of whiteflies in his greenhouse and it solved the problem instantly.
Application fees
Mix one teaspoon of neem oil and ½ to 2 teaspoons of liquid soap or other emulsifier to mix well with 1 liter of warm water, or four teaspoons of neem oil and two teaspoons of liquid or H basic soap in 1 gallon of water. Shake well. (If used with warm water to facilitate mixing of Neem oil) Make sure the oil is fully emulsified before spraying. If there is oil floating on top, add more soap or emulsifier as needed. Generously spray the diluted solution on all leaf surfaces. Spraying should be repeated every 7 to 10 days for 4 to 5 weeks if necessary.
An excellent wetting agent to use as an emulsifier is Basic H, a product sold by Shaklee Corporation.
Grow your own pesticide-free crops
You can buy pesticide-free grown blueberry plants from a reputable nursery at great prices. The best buy are two-year-old plants. Growing your own blueberries and other crops without pesticides is a good decision in terms of your health, as well as the savings in your pocket.
Toxicity
The main active pesticidal ingredient in neem oil is Azadirachtin. Studies conducted when neem leaves were used to feed male rats in high daily doses for a long time. The results showed that 100% (reversible) sterility occurred. This suggests that you should not take neem if you are trying to conceive or pregnant. Why take a chance if there are unanswered questions?
Where can I buy it?
Some LOWE stores sell it.
In Kentucky, the Detweiler Country Store in Cub Run, Kentucky takes care of it.
Neem is distributed in greater quantities by:
Southwest Vegetable Landscape Products
(800) 333-7977
Southwestplantscape.com
References
Rajeev Seenappa, (2009) Dinkal Agro Inc: Organic for a healthy life
Schmutterer, H. (Editor) (2002) The Neem Tree: Source of Unique Natural Products for Integrated Pest Management, Medicine, Industry and Other Purposes (Hardcover), 2nd Edition, Weinheim, Germany: VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. ISBN 3-527-30054 -6
