How to use neem oil on tomato plants is a way to get rid of insects that would barge on the crops. Neem oil spray is a very potent way of protecting your tomato plants from different types of insects and fungi because the oil has antimicrobial properties that have been used for centuries in treating humans, animals, and plants.
But using neem oil on your crops is not a single-stepped process rather it needs to be mediated for maximum results.
In this article, we will take you through the necessary information and a five-stepped process on how to use neem oil for your tomato plant’s best.
Contents
How To Use Neem Oil on Tomato Plants for Protection?
To use neem oil on tomato plants, you should first collect the needed supplies, and wear protective gear. After doing so, you should prepare the oil, spread it well, and take care of the supplies that you used because this oil will not last so long.
You can use neem oil on tomato plants for maximum protection against insects by spraying the oil concoction thoroughly on the plant. The oil forms a thick layer on the plants and also on any live insects that would die from suffocation and the plants will have a protective coating.
The thick oil acts as a barrier and thus protects the surface of anything that it is sprayed on. However, it has a distinctive taste and smell, so it may not be suitable for all sorts of plants. Neem is a natural antibacterial, antifungal, and overall bitter herb used in various areas as an effective remedy. It is used to treat lice, acne, and blemishes, prevent pregnancy, treat teeth plaque and any fungal infections and growth, and in plants, it is used as an insecticide and pesticide.
– Collect the Needed Supplies
The first step is to gather all the supplies that you will need to use neem oil on tomato plants. You will need good-grade neem oil, a spray bottle, water, an emulsifier, and protective gear for this.
You should neatly prepare the supplies because this oil acts in four ways: it kills the insects, stops the larvae from growing, prevents the insects from mating, and also from feeding on the crops. This will only be possible if the neem oil is used efficiently; as a result, you should handle it in a steady way.
– Wear Protective Gear
An important step after collecting the right requirements is to wear proper protection. When stepping into places with insects and pests, make sure to completely cover yourself because sometimes these organisms are so small that they can get into your ears or nose without you even knowing it.
So always wear gloves, a head cover, and full body covering clothes before using any foliar spray for insects. This way you will know for sure that you are protected from the tiny creatures.
– Prepare the Oil
This is a significant step, because now you must prepare the oil before you can spray it, as you have prepared everything you need. Take a gallon of water and add two teaspoons of Castille soap that will act as an emulsifier, and add two tablespoons of this oil and shake till you see that a concoction is formed. When mixed and kept with water and soap, the neem oil loses its potency after eight hours, so make sure you use it before that.
Make sure that this task is accomplished in spring. You can start using this organic insecticide oil in a spray form for tomato plants from the start of the growing season. This is the best time because you will give them protection from the start which will highly reduce the occurrence of any disease or insects around the tomato plant.
The best-starting routine for neem oil for tomato plants is a single, fully coated spray once every two to three weeks. On the other hand, you can surely personalize it according to your needs and the condition of the soil and plants.
– Spray the Oil
Next, spray the neem oil, water, and Castille soap mixture on the plants. Start spraying from the bottom of the plant and make your way up. Make sure to cover the whole plant. The insects might get scared and hide under the mud or rocks on the sides so make sure to get the sides of the plant too.
The reason behind these properties of this oil is that it has a unique compound called azadirachtin which acts as an antimicrobial and thus makes neem a strong insecticide. This oil can also be used to kill garden pests, mites, bugs, caterpillars, locusts, gnats, moths, beetles, worms, aphids, and nematodes whereas it can be used to treat diseases like mildew, blights, mold, root rot, and scabs in a fruit or vegetable garden or farm.
As a result you should know how to spray it, and against what you are spraying. Remember that this is happening because you wish to get rid of the insects and the fungi or diseases that your crops are being fought against.
In short, the more thorough you are, the better the result and protection. Make sure that the spray bottle’s nozzle is set to a wide spray setting and not a single target spray because that can damage the leaves and will give an uneven cover.
You can spray this oil on your plants once a week or twice for the best results. In addition, make sure that you do not exceed this limit as you wouldn’t want your tomatoes to taste or smell like neem. You will see results from the first time you use the spray on your plants.
– Take Care of the Used Supplies
The last step in the process is to take care of the supplies. As explained earlier, the oil becomes useless in the mixture after eight hours, so make sure you use it all because there is no point in storing it for reuse.
Wash the spray bottle thoroughly for subsequent use. The insects and pests will start to die near the plants so make sure you try to clean the mess because some of them can get very smelly when they die. In short, you will see the result after three days to four days; of course, it would also take longer, depending on the insect’s infestation.
FAQ
1. Can Neem Oil Be Used for Tomato Leaf Curl?
Yes, neem oil can be effectively used for the treatment of leaf curls in tomato plants. For this purpose apply an even coat on the curled leaves and the rest of the tomato plants. A constant spray of neem oil on the plant will be required to see any results.
In addition to treating the leaf curls, neem oil can also be used to treat the yellowing of leaves and their untimely decay. The nourishing potential of neem oil will give the tomato plants the strength to fight off these signs of dying and malnutrition. The best way to do this is by keeping a timed schedule that allows the plants to receive the oil spray coat and help them heal for the better.
2. How To Use Neem Oil Cakes for Tomato Plants?
You can neem oil cakes for tomato plants by simply burning them in the soil around the tomato plants. The neem cakes work best in any situation where nematodes, earthworms, and centipedes are an issue because they greatly destroy the tomato plants.
The cakes come packed with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous so in addition to an insect-killing spree, your soil will gain nutrition and become more fertile. These cakes have a very crumbly texture and can be broken down easily to be mixed with the soil if you do not want to bury the whole brick in one place.
Make sure the cakes are placed or broken down near the roots of the tomato plants, and these cakes are highly effective and will bring positive results from the start.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about how you can use neem oil in a spray bottle on your tomato plants to get rid of any attaching bacteria, insets, or fungi, but in case anything was unclear, here is a short review for you to read:
- You can use neem oil on tomato plants for maximum protection against insects by spraying the oil concoction thoroughly on the plant.
- This oil can be used to kill mites, bugs, caterpillars, locusts, gnats, moths, beetles, worms, aphids, and nematodes and treat diseases like mildew, blights, mold, root rot, and scabs.
- The oil acts in four ways: it kills the insects, stops the larvae from growing, stops the insects from mating, and also from feeding on the crops.
- The neem oil loses its potency after eight hours when mixed and kept with water and soap. They would kill the insects on average of three to four days.
Here we come to the end of the article. We hope the article was informative and that your tomato plants can be successfully saved from insects and harmful fungi. Happy gardening!
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