Emulsifying neem oil

DCcan

Well-Known Member
A natural soap like Dr Bronner's works better than one with fragrances and Sodium laureth sulfate, which is a foaming agent more than a spreader.
Any soap is actually a poor choice but it works, most need much higher levels than a surfactant. Just watch EC levels before applying.

I'm never using soap or silica again, after seeing the difference with surfactants
Therm-x70 is OMRI listed yucca extract. Others are polyethylene/ glycol based or polysorbate surfactants
 
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Shaynweed

Member
A natural soap like Dr Bronner's works better than one with fragrances and Sodium laureth sulfate, which is a foaming agent more than a spreader.
Any soap is actually a poor choice but it works, most need much higher levels than a surfactant. Just watch EC levels before applying.

I'm never using soap or silica again, after seeing the difference with surfactants
Therm-x70 is OMRI listed yucca extract. Others are polyethylene/ glycol based or polysorbate surfactants
Unfortunately don’t access to that
 

Shaynweed

Member
A natural soap like Dr Bronner's works better than one with fragrances and Sodium laureth sulfate, which is a foaming agent more than a spreader.
Any soap is actually a poor choice but it works, most need much higher levels than a surfactant. Just watch EC levels before applying.

I'm never using soap or silica again, after seeing the difference with surfactants
Therm-x70 is OMRI listed yucca extract. Others are polyethylene/ glycol based or polysorbate surfactants
Liquid soap isn’t bad for plant?
 

TessaMaria

Well-Known Member
Ive use that without problems, I used 1/4 tsp soap, 2 tablespoons pure neem oil and one gallon warm water. I always warm up the neem oil by placing the bottle in hot water and shaking every minute or so until the neem oil is liquified. When I mist I shake the mix up every few seconds while spraying(misting) to make sure it stays mixed up. I have had good luck with that method. At harvest I will do a triple wash on the harvested buds to wash the dirt and any leftover neem off. The smoke is nicer than when I have not washed. :weed: :peace: (:
 

TessaMaria

Well-Known Member
A natural soap like Dr Bronner's works better than one with fragrances and Sodium laureth sulfate, which is a foaming agent more than a spreader.
Any soap is actually a poor choice but it works, most need much higher levels than a surfactant. Just watch EC levels before applying.

I'm never using soap or silica again, after seeing the difference with surfactants
Therm-x70 is OMRI listed yucca extract. Others are polyethylene/ glycol based or polysorbate surfactants
What did you notice as the difference? Curious to learn and try myself(::weed::peace:
 

DCcan

Well-Known Member
What did you notice as the difference? Curious to learn and try myself(::weed::peace:
The ppm was much lower with surfactant vs soap. Much less likely to get phytotoxicity, gives you headroom to tank mix something else with neem, like a companion dose of pyrethrins. The oil will encapsulate that or another pesticide, protect it from uv degradation.

The coverage was better, the mix spreads out evenly on the leaves, then dries with no gaps in coverage. Allows you to use lower levels of pesticides and horticultural oils, improves the adsorption of the agent to the leaves. The solution just spreads so much better.

The mix completely emulsifies, not partially like soaps. Even in colder water, you don't see globs float back to the surface, don't have to keep shaking the tank. Some things, like sulfur and neem, just goes on like a breeze.
 

DCcan

Well-Known Member
Liquid soap isn’t bad for plant?
Depends on the soap, ppm and ph of the solution. Castile soap is a good choice, from olive oil, or something from palm oil, just skip the fragrant ones.
Liquid soaps are potassium fatty acids and water, then most add the stuff below....

Sodium Benzoate and Benzoic Acid
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Fragrance
pH Adjusters

Dyes
 
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Shaynweed

Member
Depends on the soap, ppm and ph of the solution. Castile soap is a good choice, from olive oil, or something from palm oil, just skip the fragrant ones.
Liquid soaps are potassium fatty acids and water, then most add the stuff below....
Can i emulsified neem with coconut soap pesticide oil?

Sodium Benzoate and Benzoic Acid
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Fragrance
pH Adjusters

Dyes
 

TessaMaria

Well-Known Member
The ppm was much lower with surfactant vs soap. Much less likely to get phytotoxicity, gives you headroom to tank mix something else with neem, like a companion dose of pyrethrins. The oil will encapsulate that or another pesticide, protect it from uv degradation.

The coverage was better, the mix spreads out evenly on the leaves, then dries with no gaps in coverage. Allows you to use lower levels of pesticides and horticultural oils, improves the adsorption of the agent to the leaves. The solution just spreads so much better.

The mix completely emulsifies, not partially like soaps. Even in colder water, you don't see globs float back to the surface, don't have to keep shaking the tank. Some things, like sulfur and neem, just goes on like a breeze.
Wow!! I am sold! Thanks for sharing your knowledge :peace: (: :weed:
 

DCcan

Well-Known Member
Can i emulsified neem with coconut soap pesticide oil?
Any natural soap from plants will work, the additives are what you have to watch.
Do a weaker solution of neem oil than the label says, test it first if you can't measure the EC/PPM of the spray mix.

Warming up the spray water to room temp helps mix it also, rather than cold tap water.
You just have to keep shaking the solution every few minutes. If you put in more soap to fully emulsify it, then the potassium levels get too high and will burn plants.
 

Shaynweed

Member
Any natural soap from plants will work, the additives are what you have to watch.
Do a weaker solution of neem oil than the label says, test it first if you can't measure the EC/PPM of the spray mix.

Warming up the spray water to room temp helps mix it also, rather than cold tap water.
You just have to keep shaking the solution every few minutes. If you put in more soap to fully emulsify it, then the potassium levels get too high and will burn plants.
I have calcium silis powder (chemichal) does it have benefits for leavse if i mix a low does in neem oil ? Or could burnt my leaves and not worth of trying ? I heard silisium can help emulsified neem ?!
 

DCcan

Well-Known Member
Liquid silica does emulsify, I have no experience with any powdered form. You can try it, see how it mixes and just test it first on a lower leaf.
 
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