To wipe , or not to wipe Neem oil, that is the question ?

Currently discovered some thripes. Internet is screaming Neem oil to get rid of them . However I’ve just started getting pistils everywhere and I’m reading it’s not good to spray Neem oil on flowers .
so my question , could I just wipe the Neem oil on the leaves instead of spraying to cut down on exposure to flower sites ? Thanks in advance !

You could initially try yellow sticky traps and avoid the oil.. Personally I have used oil mid flowering and washed my buds at harvest. For me, there was no issues doing it that way, and the neem took care of my issue. This is a highly contested topic around neem during flowering, but I needed to save my plants and it worked without any noticeable side affects to taste and smell, but again I washed my buds..

Got it . Yeah , I read it’s bad for buds . Read success stories and horror stories ...Curious , how does one “ wash “ buds ? And what are these yellow traps about ?

Also is that a negative on the wipe topic ? Lol

Yellow sticky traps, are like balck friday for bugs - they attract a number of pests (specifically Thripes) to land onto them, where they will live a short life stuck to a pad and die, they have squares to help you understand the amount of pests you have in a given area. Fairly cheap - so get a couple of sheets and hang them, as well as placing them near the stems over the soil, the more the better. Neem oil will not harm buds when applied in cool, low light conditions. Folks complain about what it does to smell and taste, if left on the leaves, when smoked - this will make plenty of sense, when you smell this stuff - IT STINKS!. I wash my buds in lemon juice and bicarbonate, then dunked into luke warm water, and finally a rinse in fresh cold water - it seems crazy, but its really not. When done right, you dont harm the trichs. Its another contested topic - so do what you think is right, but its worked wonders for me over the years - I usually only wash outdoor buds - but again, when done right, it could be done with every harvest.

Imcamping86 said:

Also is that a negative on the wipe topic ? Lol

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If you have the time and patience, then wipe away, spraying by natures gets you better coverage - so I choose to spray, as one treatments is often not enough and you really need to eliminate the issue, not just try to hinder it.

If you have the patience maybe do so by using a small piece of cardboard in areas to protect buds sites from being sprayed also you would have to spray as the sun/lights come down.
If was forced to wash my buds I wouldn’t smoke em but maybe turn that plant into dry ice hash.

BaginsZA said:

If you have the time and patience, then wipe away, spraying by natures gets you better coverage - so I choose to spray, as one treatments is often not enough and you really need to eliminate the issue, not just try to hinder it.

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ive read that it will get rid of them all together as long as I stay consistent with spraying every 7-14 days ...maybe I’ll get some zip lock bags and try covering the sites . I’d hate the smoke to taste like crap . I’ll also research the washing process . Which I have to admit it sounds insane. I’ve always heard that the less you handle the buds , the more potent and trichomed they will be . I appreciate your time and advice gents.

Try every other 3.

Exactly that - every 7 (if its real bad) to 14 (if you caught this early) days will work to sort out the main issue you have - THRIPES. This is the first time that you have had to deal with this, so you can do nothing but learn - Bloom has a great suggestion above. Neem oil is an excellent solution to a common problem, so try it out on some flowers, and wash others if you really want to understand what impact it has. I was super cuatious in the begining, as any people are. In the end, what I hope you learn is to use these solutions before you have a problem. Finally, why not try to wash a few buds, and leave a few unwashed? The best conclusions I have ever made, are ones that I determine from experience, not internet forums - there is always a next time - so give things a try. Personally, I leant that washing my buds was better than not... choice is yours

Here's a link that may help

Cookie Rider said:

Here's a link that may help

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Great video, from the godfather of growing! - the main difference here, is he is treating PM - I had PM, which is why I started washing buds, and never stopped. Thanks for sharing Cookie.

Your welcome. This video convinced me to try it out.

I used neem oil at begging of flower. Thrips are gone. Buds are smelling nice again. I’ll mist regular water for a bit. Not a fan of washing buds. Takes so long to dry.

BaginsZA said:

Exactly that - every 7 (if its real bad) to 14 (if you caught this early) days will work to sort out the main issue you have - THRIPES. This is the first time that you have had to deal with this, so you can do nothing but learn - Bloom has a great suggestion above. Neem oil is an excellent solution to a common problem, so try it out on some flowers, and wash others if you really want to understand what impact it has. I was super cuatious in the begining, as any people are. In the end, what I hope you learn is to use these solutions before you have a problem. Finally, why not try to wash a few buds, and leave a few unwashed? The best conclusions I have ever made, are ones that I determine from experience, not internet forums - there is always a next time - so give things a try. Personally, I leant that washing my buds was better than not... choice is yours

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hahaha thanks man . I noticed them a day or two ago ...I've been diligently eliminating them by hand. I know that seems futile, however I’ve learned their life cycle and have discovered no mature ones yet . I just got the Neem oil today . Gonna wait till the sun sets before application . I’m still very much in the early stages of flower . I really appreciate the help . Will definitely try covering a few flower sites and leave a few open before spraying , wash and not washed and see what happens . It’s my first time . I’m sure it won’t be the last . I’m proud to be where I am given 2 months ago I knew absolutely nothing about plant life whatsoever. It’s been a epic experience so far . Again thanks for the help !

In my experience with using neem oil, you can't apply too much, I soak my plants early in the morning, low heat low light... And shake off all the excess. I know

Imcamping86 said:

hahaha thanks man . I noticed them a day or two ago ...I've been diligently eliminating them by hand. I know that seems futile, however I’ve learned their life cycle and have discovered no mature ones yet . I just got the Neem oil today . Gonna wait till the sun sets before application . I’m still very much in the early stages of flower . I really appreciate the help . Will definitely try covering a few flower sites and leave a few open before spraying , wash and not washed and see what happens . It’s my first time . I’m sure it won’t be the last . I’m proud to be where I am given 2 months ago I knew absolutely nothing about plant life whatsoever. It’s been a epic experience so far . Again thanks for the help !

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LOL - I appreciate the attitude you got going You should be proud, its easy to grow plants, and at the same time, incredibly complex - its the things around us that provide the challanges. All the best bud, and post some pics at the end - happy growing and goodluck with them pesky bugs (starship troppers comes to mind!)

BaginsZA said:

In my experience with using neem oil, you can't apply too much, I soak my plants early in the morning, low heat low light... And shake off all the excess. I know

LOL - I appreciate the attitude you got going You should be proud, its easy to grow plants, and at the same time, incredibly complex - its the things around us that provide the challanges. All the best bud, and post some pics at the end - happy growing and goodluck with them pesky bugs (starship troppers comes to mind!)

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Hahah thanks man will def post pics at the end . I have some stretch but they are doing okay . Made a post about it a few days ago some said their was stretch . But they looked good . So I’ll run with it lol
Star ship troopers. Lmao dying over here lol

Wanna kill those bastards. Buy Horticulture oil and spray everyday. Until week 2-3 of lower

Actually the neem oil has been very affective . I got the bonide ready to spray version . I sprayed lightly. It staunched their flow ... waited 7 more days , sprayed heavier . Haven’t really seen any in a few days .... so far so good . Thanks for the info tho !