Neem oil concentration

[alternety]

I have some 100% Neem oil that I want to use for scale on various plants, including orchids. I looked at a lot of online references to the proper dilution for a spray. I have found a number of answers that don't agree with each other. Some are rather wildly different. Many may be confusing tablespoons and teaspoons.

Anyone have any suggestions for an AUTHORITATIVE answer?

[Ray]

Neem oil, because it is a natural byproduct, is not a uniform thing, but I think that if you go with one fluid ounce per gallon - plus an equal amount of liquid soap to keep it emulsified - and you should be fine.

Be sure to spray when the plants are cool to the touch (early morning is best).

[alternety]

Thanks. The two most popular answers were 2 tsp or 2 tbl per gallon.

[Eyebabe]

My bottle has a formula written on the side:
1 1/2 tsp Neem Oil per quart of water PLUS 1 1/2 tsp of dish soap.

That is how I mix it up and use it.

[keithrs]

I recommend Dr. Bronners peppermint soap or a wetting agent to go with your neem oil...... After researching how bad dawn and other soaps are for your plants and the environment, I wouldn't recommend them.

Lately I have been using thai chili oil, canola oil, couple drops of cinnamon oil, and Dr. Bronners as a insecticide..... It has been working for me and alot cheaper then neem oil.

You can us straight neem oil mixture without soap but you'll have to shake your spray bottle every 30 sec or so and you may not get uniform coverage.

[elaines]

I found an article (Beginner Houseplants: Any plant groups on the NO NEEM list?) referencing using neem oil as a soil drench. I just used it on all my orchids (dends, phals, BLC, Iwan, Epi) and so far so good. I have fungus gnats, spider mites, & possibly biting midges (from living on a pond) in the orchids & my other plants. I used BTi instead of Neem oil to water my herbs and spider plants (since my spider plants seem to double as catfood). 100% pure Neem oil was strongly recommended (1 qt Dyna-Gro available on Amazon ~$28) and I used the recommended 2 Tablespoons Neem oil & 1 teaspoon mild dish soap (I've heard non-concentrated, non-Ultra Palmolive is safe - found @ Dollar Tree) per gallon of water. All my plants but the big Plumeria tree seemed to do okay. The big Plumeria seems to be recovering and was severely dehydrated when watered. Probably should have watered it w/straight water few days beforehand. Using the Neem oil as a soil drench seems to be helping with the spider mites on my orchids - and plumerias. The older and least healthy leaves haven't shown much improvement but the newer and healthier leaves have few or no spider mites. The midges & fungus gnats were gone from the soil almost instantly - although Neem oil isn't supposed to be an instant-kill solution. I do think a few repeat treatments will be necessary - and that I'll use it prophylactically after that. At least using it as a soil drench keeps the rest of my apartment from getting soaked & my cats from getting into the wet areas. Oh - the neem oil did smell pretty strongly the first night, a bit milder the next day, and was gone by the 2nd day. None of my neighbors complained - at least to me. Anyway, hope this helps. Have fun!

[alternety]

I just tried to make the liquid soap. 1/4 cup ivory bar soap to 1 qt water. After sitting for an hour or so I have a gloppy mess. It is sort of a gel. Best description would be a bad cold in your nose.

I am going to have to try another approach.