Neem oil for mold is the right solution that has been around for a very long time because of how magically the oil works against the pathogens on plants and trees. Mold is a pervasive plague in foliage and can be transferred quickly and in less time.
These infections can be deadly to your plant, the fruit that it grows, and to your pets who might ingest the plants with mold, this is why it is imperative to get rid of mold. One of the best and easiest ways to get rid of it is by using neem oil and in this article, we take you through the steps of using neem oil to get rid of mold on your plants effectively.
Contents
How To Use Neem Oil for Mold Removal and Prevention?
To use neem oil for mold removal and prevention by first making a solution of the neem oil. In addition to this, you should try to spray it generously all over the plant, and after that you can spray it once again to prevent future molds.
As compared to insecticides which are harmful to not only insects but also plants and humans, neem oil offers a great alternative. Neem oil is also available readily in shops and is also very inexpensive to buy and use in bigger amounts other than its usage as a pesticide, neem oil is used in various ways.
Mold is probably the most common type of infection found in plants and it occurs due to low airflow and high humidity in the soil and around the roots. If your soil has mold, do not panic because this only means that your soil is rich in organisms and moisture.
1. Make the Solution of Neem Oil
Neem oil is extracted from the neem tree and has been used against pests and insects for a long time. The reason behind its popularity is its extreme effectiveness and also the fact that it is not toxic to the plant in any way and gets the job done, and so making the solution is the right choice to take.
The first step in the process is to make the solution of neem oil for your moldy plants. The tools and things required in the process include neem oil, water, water, castile soap for plants or dish soap, a spraying bottle, a gallon, or a plastic container.
In one gallon of water, add two to three tablespoons of clarified neem oil for plants, and two tablespoons of dish soap or shaving of castile soap, becausee this is the right emulsifying subject for it. Shake this container thoroughly until a solution is formed and pour it all in a spray bottle for spraying and containing purposes.
The solution doesn’t need to become clear as there is oil and soap. You can make this solution beforehand and keep it on the shelf for a long time as it has a great shelf life.
Alternatively, you can also buy the neem oil solution which is pre-made in the stores but there are some downsides to buying pre-made neem oil solutions. One, the main solution may be pricier than creating your own solution, and second, the mix might have some unwanted materials in it.
Ultimately, the choice is yours to select from, and also note that whatever solution you get for your moldy plants, just ensure it is safe to use and ready to go. Lastly, always handle solutions of nature with protective gear on. Remember that you should also use gloves, eye masks, face masks, and clothing overalls to protect yourself from any stray spray droplets that may be harmful to you in any way.
2. Right Timing
The best time to use the neem oil is just before the sun is about to come right on the top of the plants. In this way all the sunlight that is shown on the plant after the neem oil spray will work towards killing the mold in the plants.
If you align the best time of the day with hot weather or a good windy day, the effect of neem oil on the mold will be even greater. The plants will have multiple forces of nature working on the removal of the mold, which will be ultimately great for your plants.
On the other hand, if you use the neem oil at night, the effect may not as be as potent when used in daylight because at night, the temperature cools down, and the moisture is retained in the soil as compared to the day when the wind can dry out the humidity. In short, you should be very detailed about the timing, because the plant needs the right timing, where the weather will also support the effectiveness.
3. Spraying the Plants in Neem Oil
After you have your spray, you can now start spraying your plants with the solution. Before you drench the entire plant, test a small plant patch with the spray. Leave the part for at least 24 hours and analyze if there are some visible adverse effects of the spray.
If the plant section seems fine, go ahead and use the spray, but if small dots appear or the sprayed-on portion of the plant dies, you should refrain from using the spray. On the contrary, you should also consider the case when the plant seems to have no problem applying the solution, your mold will be removed in no time.
Start spraying the plant from the top and make your way to the roots. Do not forget to spray the plant evenly and in all the spots, especially under the leaves, and you will see how, in such a case, the plant should be drenched in the spray.
4. Be Cautious and Wait
Leave the plant like this and let the magic happen. It is best to repeat the spray coat every 14 days; this is only recommended if the mold is much bigger. You can keep the spray on the shelf for a long time or make a new batch every time you spray the plants. For this matter, you must also make sure that you do not under-spray the plants, which will eventually show no signs of mold reduction.
In short, you will see that it takes around 24 hours for the neem oil to kill most varieties of mold and fungal infections, but this may change depending on the extent of infection and current weather. The neem oil works best in hot weather and on a good windy day when you use it to remove the molds.
If the mold has covered most of your plant, you will need to replant it because only the neem oil will not help get rid of the mold. If you feel like spraying the plant alone will not help you out, you can submerge the plant in a plastic tub as well and leave the plant in for around 24 hours or so.
If by any chance the soil won’t dry out, you might need to check any underground water pipes for leaks. You can also bring in some parched soil and mix it in your soil so that the moisture is divided and eventually dried out, and this way you will fix it.
5. Preventing Mold in Plants From Coming Back
After you have made the solution of neem oil and sprayed it all over the plants, the last step for you to do is to make sure that the mold does not come back and haunt your plants again. The best thing that you can do to prevent the decay or the mold from coming back is to make sure that the plants are not overly moisturized.
This means that you need to find a good place for your plants with adequate sunlight that would dry the excess moisture in your plants. In short, you must always plant your plants with space between them so that the beneficial insects and airflow can find their way in them.
If the mold in your previous plants has been very over-powering and took up a lot of your plant, you will need to transfer your plant to a new location because the mold will not simply go away in the same position. You can either pot it in a new pot for some time or pot it in a new position altogether and wait for the soil to dry out completely, and try to spray neem again.
In addition, you can use rosemary oil which works in a similar way but is comparatively more pleasant in smell if you wish to prevent mold from growing again, you can try to apply this oil as an aftercare. The rosemary oil solution can be made with water and dish soap or can be bought in a solution form from the shop.
Rosemary oil is a well-known disinfectant against infections caused by bacteria and fungi. It is far more fragrant. This is only a plus point if the fragrance of the neem oil is bothersome for you. Other than that, both these naturally occurring oils from plants work great in getting rid of mold from your foliage.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about how you can use neem oil to get rid of your moldy plants in the garden, but in case you missed anything, here is a short review of all the important points from the article:
- Neem oil is an effective and inexpensive remedy against moldy and fungal-infected plants.
- The neem oil solution for mold can be made with water and dish soap or castile soap.
- The best way to prevent mold is by ensuring adequate airflow between your plants and that the plants are not overly watered or the soil is not extremely moisturized.
- You can buy a neem oil solution from the shop or make one yourself at home.
- It is best to use the neem oil spray the time when the sun is out, the day is dry, and there is no prediction of rain for at least 24 hours.
Here we come to the end of the article about neem oil for mold and other infections. We hope that this was an informative and helpful article for you to read and implement. Happy gardening!
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