The use of neem products

What is neem and how do neem products work?

Neem, also known as the "miracle tree" or Azadirachta indica, is a tree that contains natural ingredients known for their many uses in agriculture and horticulture. Neem products are made from the seeds, leaves and bark of the neem tree. They contain a variety of natural active ingredients, many of which are known for their insecticidal, fungicidal and bactericidal properties.

Neem products work in different ways. Their main active ingredient is azadirachtin, which is found in its highest concentration in the seeds of the neem tree, but is also found in the leaves, bark and all other parts of the tree. Azadirachtin, like most of the active ingredients of the neem tree, belongs to the limonoid family, where it belongs to the chemical group of tetranortriterpenoids. One of its properties is to repel or deter insects in a highly specific way, whereby this involves the interaction of various mechanisms of action.

One of the effects is based on the similarity of azadirachtin to the juvenile hormone ecdysone, which triggers and controls metamporphosis functions in insects. By incorporating azadirachtin instead of ecdysone, metamporphosis in insects is permanently disrupted. For this reason, azadirachtin is known as a natural active ingredient that has a damaging effect on insects that ingest the active ingredient azadirachtin orally. It can inhibit and disrupt the growth, development and reproduction of pests such as aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs, cicadas, grasshoppers, beetles and caterpillars.

Neem and its active ingredient azadirachtin also have a feeding deterrent effect on insects and mites. It has been observed that insects on neem-treated plants do not feed or suck on the plants. It has also been shown that plants treated with neem are used to a much lesser extent by flying insects to lay their eggs. Insects specifically look for food plants for their offspring; however, if these have been treated with neem, they fly on after a short period of time without having laid their eggs. Flying insects seem to recognise that plants treated with neem are not suitable food plants for their offspring.

Insects that have fed on neem-treated plants for a short time are very often more inactive and have lower vitality. It can be observed that older larvae pupate prematurely and that very often defective adults hatch.

In addition, neem (e.g. neem oil) also has fungicidal properties that can prevent the development of fungal infections or even suppress them.

There are various types of neem products derived from the neem tree (neem tree) - including neem oil (neem oil), neem pesticides for plant protection, neem compost, neem fertiliser and more. These products can either be purchased or home-made and offer a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilisers.

Advantages and sustainability of using neem products

The use of neem products has several advantages and is a sustainable option for plant care, as a fertiliser and as a pesticide. Here are some of the main benefits:

Natural pest control

Neem products offer a natural alternative to chemical pesticides. They can help control pests effectively while minimising negative impacts on the environment.

No harm to beneficial insects

Unlike chemical pesticides, neem products are generally safer for beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies and ladybirds. These types of insects do not feed or suck directly on the plants and therefore do not ingest neem active ingredients. This helps to maintain the ecological balance in your garden and fields.

Improving soil health

Neem products can also help to improve the quality of the soil. Neem press cake and neem seeds contain nutrients that promote plant growth and health while enriching the soil with organic matter. Neem also has a harmonising effect on microbiological soil life. For example, neem acts as a natural nitrification inhibitor, which reduces the loss of nitrogen in the form of nitrate into the groundwater. Neem slows down the activity of Nitrosomonas bacteria, so that the conversion of ammonium to nitrite is delayed and there is less nitrate formation in the subsequent step. Nitrate is the form of nitrogen that is preferentially absorbed by plants on the one hand and is most easily washed out if there is an excess in the soil on the other. It is therefore important that nitrate formation takes place slowly so that the plants can supply themselves with the right amount of nitrate without the excess being lost.

Long-term effect

Neem products can have a long-lasting effect, especially if they are applied regularly. They are not only able to repel and repel existing pests, but also prevent their reappearance. What is significant here is that neem significantly reduces egg-laying by flying pests. The insects do not seek out plants treated with neem to lay their eggs, resulting in significantly fewer new infestations.

Overall, neem products offer a natural and sustainable option instead of conventional and chemical pest control and plant care. They can help improve the health of your plants while protecting the environment. If you are looking for an alternative method of controlling pests and caring for your plants, using neem products could be a good choice.

Use of neem products for garden plants

When it comes to protecting garden plants from voracious insects, neem products are a popular choice. Neem contains natural ingredients extracted from the seeds and leaves of the neem tree. It has proven to be effective against a wide range of unwanted, voracious insects and can also protect plants from disease. The effects of neem on various plant species and preventive measures against the infestation of unwanted organisms with neem products are explained below.

Effect of neem on various plant species

Neem products can be used on a variety of garden plants as well as crops. They have effects that help to keep unwanted insects, mites and diseases at bay. Here are some examples of plant species where neem products can be used successfully:

Vegetable crops

Neem products can be used on tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and many other vegetable plants. They help to prevent and repel infestation by unwanted organisms such as aphids, whitefly, tripes, caterpillars and spider mites. Microbial and fungal organisms such as mildew or other fungal diseases can also be significantly weakened by neem.

Fruit

Neem products can also be used on fruit trees such as apples, pears, peaches and citrus fruits. They offer protection against unwanted organisms such as codling moths, leafminers, whitefly, caterpillars and spider mites. Numerous fungal diseases such as mildew are significantly less severe with neem.

Ornamental plants

Roses, geraniums, lilies, boxwoods and other ornamental plants also benefit from the use of neem. Voracious insects such as aphids, thrips and whiteflies avoid these plants when they have been treated with neem.

It is important to follow the specific instructions on the neem product label to ensure the correct dosage and application method for each plant species.

Neem oil to keep voracious organisms away from plants: Preventive measures with neem products on plants

Regular application of neem products can help keep unwanted and voracious insects away from your garden plants. Here are some preventative measures you can take:

Early application

Apply neem products to your plants early to prevent unwanted and voracious insects from infesting them in the first place. Budding sprays in spring are ideal, as this protects the fresh buds and leaves or the newly germinating plant. An early attack in particular weakens plants for the rest of the growing season and impairs flower formation and fruit yield. It should also be borne in mind that most insects that damage plants overwinter close to or even directly on the host plants. An early infestation can be significantly reduced by spraying for budding.

Continuous application

Repeat the application every few weeks, especially during the growing and flowering period of your plants. This ensures that they are continuously protected. Neem as a natural substance is almost completely degraded within a few weeks without leaving any residue - what is a blessing for nature must be regularly rebuilt by the gardener and plant grower.

Complete coverage

Neem products should be applied completely to the leaves, stems and other parts of the plants to ensure effective protection. Neem oil&Rimulgan form a perfect emulsion in water, which can be applied as a fine mist with a sprayer. Only enough should be applied to ensure that the plant is well moistened from all sides. It is best to apply with a fine spray mist and only so much that as little as possible of the spray liquid drips off.

Combination with other methods

Use Neem products in combination with other organic methods of pest defence such as beneficial insects and other biological preparations to achieve an optimum effect. Examples of other biological agents that can be combined well with Neem are

Sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda, basic ingredient): a well-known agent to combat and ward off mildew and other fungal diseases. The neem oil also serves as a bonding agent. Both together have synergetic effects, the effect lasts longer and strengthens the effect against the harmful organisms.
Liverwort (plant strengthening agent): Ëa plant extract from mosses. Mosses are among the oldest land plants. They live in damp, shady places and yet are never attacked by fungi. This secret knowledge of mosses is contained in the extract. The extract strengthens plants against all fungal diseases. The neem oil also acts as an adhesive. Both together have synergetic effects, the effect lasts longer and strengthens the effect against the harmful organisms.

Application tip

Use neem oil as a spray or solution to apply to plants to prevent insect pests and diseases. The neem oil is first mixed with the emulsifier Rimulgan and then dissolved in water. A dilution of 5ml to 10ml neem oil & Rimulgan mixture per litre of water is used. Spray the leaves, twigs, branches and trunk of the plant with this neem oil emulsifier water extract. It is recommended to follow the application instructions on the packaging of the neem oil, as these may vary depending on the product.

By following these preventative measures and using neem products regularly, you can protect your garden plants from unwanted insects and ensure that they grow healthy and strong.

Use of neem products in fruit and vegetable gardens

Neem products play an important role in the care and protection of plants in both fruit and vegetable gardens. The natural properties of the neem tree make the products particularly effective in controlling unwanted insects and can also promote plant health. In this article, we will take a closer look at the use of neem products in fruit and vegetable gardens.

Protecting fruit with neem products

The use of neem products can help to protect fruit trees and fruit such as strawberries and perennial fruit from various voracious insects and mites. Neem oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, contains natural active ingredients that prevent many insects that feed on fruit plants from infesting them. It can be used to treat plants to protect them from aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, tripes, scale insects, beetle larvae and butterfly caterpillars.

To protect fruit trees and plants with neem products, it is best to use neem oil. Neem oil is first mixed with the emulsifier Rimulgan and then diluted with water. It can then be sprayed onto the leaves and trunk. Repeat this process regularly, preferably every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season.

The Neem press cake can be sprinkled around the plants. Most soil-borne organisms that feed on the roots are thus deterred.

Neem products in the vegetable garden

Vegetable gardens are often susceptible to various pests and diseases that can reduce or even prevent the harvest. The use of neem products can help to naturally deter these organisms from attacking the vegetable plants.

Simple neem products such as neem oil and neem press cake can help deter organisms such as aphids, cabbage white butterflies, caterpillars, thrips and beetle larvae from feeding on vegetable plants. Neem works in a variety of ways, e.g. it influences the growth of pests, disrupts their reproduction or acts as a feeding defence. Neem also has the special effect of preventing such insects from laying eggs.

To use neem products in your vegetable garden, you should carefully follow the instructions on the packaging. Different products require different application methods and dosages, depending on the type of unwanted organisms and the plants to be treated.

Neem products are suitable for these plants

Neem products can be used on a wide range of plants. Here are some examples:

Fruit trees and plants: Apple trees, pear trees, peach trees, citrus trees, berry bushes, strawberries, etc.
Vegetable plants: Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, courgettes, carrots, beans, peas, leaf lettuce, cabbages, etc.

Neem products are most effective when used regularly and preventively. They should not be considered as a stand-alone solution, but as part of an integrated pest management system that also includes cultural measures and biological controls.

Overall, neem products offer a safe and effective way to encourage and protect plants in the fruit and vegetable garden from voracious insects. By incorporating these products into your garden design, you can promote the growth and health of your plants, achieve a good harvest and also protect nature.

Neem products for houseplants and ornamental plants

The use of neem products has established itself as an effective method for the prevention of voracious and unwanted organisms and for plant care. Neem oil is one of the best known and most commonly used neem products. It is a fatty vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the neem tree. Its property as a plant oil and its special active ingredients can repel a variety of unwanted organisms. Here are some important points on the use of neem products.

Neem oil as a natural remedy for houseplants

Neem oil is an ideal choice for keeping houseplants free from unwanted and voracious organisms. It prevents a variety of organisms such as aphids, scale insects, spider mites, whiteflies and thrips from spreading on the plants. The mode of action of neem oil is based on its property as a plant oil and its special active ingredients such as azadirachtin, which disrupt the life cycle of insects and mites and inhibit their growth.

Neem oil is easy to use. Mix a small amount of neem oil with the emulsifier Rimulgan, then add water and apply with a spray bottle. Spray all surfaces of the houseplants from all sides, including the leaves, stems and soil. Repeat the application regularly, preferably every 2 to 4 weeks, to ensure effective defence.

Effective prevention of insects and mites with Neem on ornamental plants

Neem oil can also provide effective prevention of unwanted insects and mites on ornamental plants. Many ornamental plants in closed rooms are an ideal habitat for many types of insects and mites such as aphids, thrips, whiteflies and spider mites. There are no natural enemies and the animals can multiply unchecked. Regular application of neem oil can successfully prevent and repel these organisms. It also promotes the growth of the plants and poses no risk to humans or pets.

It is important to follow the instructions on the packaging of the neem oil in order to achieve an optimal effect Apply the neem oil to the ornamental plants in the form of a water emulsion and make sure to treat all parts of the plant thoroughly, including leaves and stems. Use Neem oil regularly to achieve optimum results in the prevention of harmful organisms.

Neem products can also be used to prevent unwanted organisms by regularly using neem products on your houseplants and ornamentals. This will reduce the risk of infestation and maintain the health of your plants.

Conclusion: The benefits of using neem products

Neem products offer a natural alternative to prevent and control unwanted and voracious organisms and to promote plant growth.

Advantages:

Natural insecticide action: Neem products contain compounds that can effectively control a wide range of organisms such as aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies and spider mites.
Long-term effect: Neem products have a very specific effect, which means that infestations are continuously reduced as new infestations are significantly reduced. This is a significant advantage over chemical insecticides, which do not contain any preventative mechanisms of action.
Environmentally friendly: Neem products are purely biological and degrade completely without leaving any residue. They are safe for beneficial insects such as bees, ladybirds, parasitic wasps and hoverflies.
Safe for humans and pets: Neem is completely non-toxic to humans and their pets.

The application of Neem products

For effective use of neem products to prevent and repel unwanted organisms and promote plant growth, here are some recommendations to follow:

Follow the instructions on the labels and package inserts: Follow the recommended application rates and application times. Use Neem products either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, never in full sunshine around midday.
Timing of application: Check the developmental stages of the organisms present on the plants and apply the Neem product when they are most susceptible. The younger the larval stages, the more effective and faster the effect of Neem.
Even distribution: Ensure that the Neem product is applied evenly to the affected plant parts to ensure effective control of the unwanted organisms. A good homogeneous water emulsion is important to apply the finest possible spray mist.
Repeated application: In some cases it may be necessary to apply the Neem product more than once to ensure effective prevention. Follow the instructions on the label for the recommended application period. During the main vegetation period, Neem should generally be applied every 2 to 4 weeks.
Storage: Store neem products in a cool, dry place and check the expiry date to ensure that the product retains its effectiveness.

By using neem products and following these recommendations, you can promote the health of your plants and achieve effective prevention against unwanted organisms. Note, however, that in some cases it may be advisable to consult a professional to meet the specific needs of your plants.