Dear All-
I have tried Neem Oil with some mixed results. Although described as a "safe insecticide" there is an immediate assumption that because it's natural it is harmless. The odor of neem can be a strong irritant to some people and can especially irritate sinuses and eyes if there is prolonged exposure in a confined area. People who have problems with chemical sensitivities on their skin should take precautions as well. I have also seen people react to the oil if it has been allowed to remain on the skin for periods of time. The active chemical in Neem has been supposedly extracted and is sold in some commercial insecticides (eg. Azatin) When Azatin was used there were some plants that exhibited phytotoxicity over time. It is unsure whether it was because of it being an oil or the chemical itself. Some plants with thin leaves (Phaius, Calanthe and some Lycaste) didn't particularly enjoy it either. It was certainly something that was very noticeable in periods of higher temperatures. In my professional opinion the results were mixed for controlling mealybug and broad mites. I find that there are many other "safe" insecticides that are just as effective. Even something as simple as a solution of a detergent/dish soap provided similar and in some cases superior results than neem did. Marc _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
