Neem Oil is the oil pressed from the seeds of Azadirachta Indica, a evergreen tropical tree from India and Pakistan. In the traditional medicine in India it has been used to treat many different afflictions, one of them beeing the treatment of lice and other parasites. Recent research has shown that the active ingredient is "Azadirachtin" and it acts as a powerful feeding inhibior for many insects. That means it stops insects from eating, and they starve within a short time. At the same time it shows very low toxicity to higher animals and people. Therefore it has been found to be a very environmentally sound, natural insecticide.
Neem oil can be used with most orchids and protects them from all kinds of insects, but also might provide some protection from funghi and other deseases. The oil itself is too strong for direct application, therefore it is mixed with a detergent or emulsifier which allows it to mix with water. There are many manufacturers, which offer either neem oil solutions in ready to use spry bottles or a concentrate that you have to dillute with water and then can use in your own insecticide sprayer. I usually spray it for general protection every two weeks and use a weaker solution than the manufacturer recommends (I mix a gallon according to the recommendation and then add a quart of water). In case of an acute insect problem I spray weekly with the recommended concentration.
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