Is it ok to mix in a little neem oil with compost tea?

[jerichojews]

Not necessarily brew the neem oil in the tea. Rather, just mix in a couple tsps of neem oil into the already brewed tea before watering?

 

[Hydrotech364]

Why? Subterranean Pest's?

 

[CC Dobbs]

Neem can work against the biological life in the compost tea, so probably don't mix them in what ever you might have planned.

 

[jerichojews]

Why? Subterranean Pest's?

Exactly. I have a history of soil-borne insects. Occasionally showing up in large numbers.

 

[a senile fungus]

Try top dressing with neem meal and oyster shell meal or try some mosquito dunks.

Honestly I DO think that the neem oil works systemically, but I'd have to search to verify that.

Good luck!

I find that I get lots of pests if I'm overwatering and the soil is staying too moist...

 

[Cobnobuler]

Just curious, are we talking about indoor growing or outdoor ?

 

[FrozenChozen]

neem oil can remain "present" for upwards of 8-10 weeks... don't use it during flower IMHO....

 

[jerichojews]

Just curious, are we talking about indoor growing or outdoor ?

Indoor. I was just wondering if it were ok to add a little neem during "regular" waterings with compost tea, rather than having to "waste" a watering using neem oil alone (without tea).

And, yes, i'm familiar with 'proper' usage of neem oil and already amend with neem cake and oyster shell, etc...

 

[a senile fungus]

Indoor. I was just wondering if it were ok to add a little neem during "regular" waterings with compost tea, rather than having to "waste" a watering using neem oil alone (without tea).

And, yes, i'm familiar with 'proper' usage of neem oil and already amend with neem cake and oyster shell, etc...

Yes it's okay. Just make sure it's diluted enough. Neem oil will work systemically when used as a soil drench.

 

[jerichojews]

Yes it's okay. Just make sure it's diluted enough. Neem oil will work systemically when used as a soil drench.

I was thinking somewhere in the area of a couple teaspoons per gallon. Maintenance.

 

[Dr. Who]

Yes it's okay. Just make sure it's diluted enough. Neem oil will work systemically when used as a soil drench.

I say, "No it's not"!

Mr. Dobbs said above.
It kills the living bio's in the tea! One of the main reasons to use a "tea" IS the active living bio's created in the brewing of.
Many things added in the brew or after brewing. Are hard on the active bio's in the tea. Even adding kelp extracts to the "wort" before brewing. Decrease the active bio counts of the resulting tea.

 

[vitamin_green_inc]

I say, "No it's not"!

Mr. Dobbs said above.
It kills the living bio's in the tea! One of the main reasons to use a "tea" IS the active living bio's created in the brewing of.
Many things added in the brew or after brewing. Are hard on the active bio's in the tea. Even adding kelp extracts to the "wort" before brewing. Decrease the active bio counts of the resulting tea.

^^^^^^^^^^
This man knows what's up. Check out http://microbeorganics.com

He has a microscope and is well known over at ICMag, MicrobeMAn. He even used to suggest adding fulvic acid to the teas but it inhibits bacterial growth, as does Kelp in too large of ratios. I now make compost teas as he suggests and do a SEPERATE watering with Liquid Karma/whatever else is needed to feed the soil

 

[a senile fungus]

Exactly. I have a history of soil-borne insects. Occasionally showing up in large numbers.

I guess its up to you.

Neem oil will work systemically in the plant but will affect microbe numbers in the soil.


Make a choice, lol.

 

[a senile fungus]

I say, "No it's not"!

Mr. Dobbs said above.
It kills the living bio's in the tea! One of the main reasons to use a "tea" IS the active living bio's created in the brewing of.
Many things added in the brew or after brewing. Are hard on the active bio's in the tea. Even adding kelp extracts to the "wort" before brewing. Decrease the active bio counts of the resulting tea.

He said he's using it for pest management, not brewing it in the tea

So CAN it be used? Absolutely.
SHOULD it be used? Depends on your aim in using it I suppose...

Thanks for the info on the adverse effect it has on microbes.

Have a good one...

 

[jerichojews]

He said he's using it for pest management, not brewing it in the tea
.

I wasn't planning on brewing tea with neem, but i WAS asking about mixing neem with already brewed tea. I suppose using neem as a foliar is the way to go so far as protecting the microbes in the soil.

To that end, does anybody know if spraying with neem does anything to soil borne insects?

 

[Dr. Who]

^^^^^^^^^^
This man knows what's up. Check out http://microbeorganics.com

He has a microscope and is well known over at ICMag, MicrobeMAn. He even used to suggest adding fulvic acid to the teas but it inhibits bacterial growth, as does Kelp in too large of ratios. I now make compost teas as he suggests and do a SEPERATE watering with Liquid Karma/whatever else is needed to feed the soil

EXACTLY!
Teas are to be used ALONE.
Anything you may want to amend with should be done in non tea waterings!