Neem Oil for Cannabis: How and When to Use It
Are you looking for a natural solution to a pest problem? Growers have used neem oil for cannabis for years with an excellent success rate. The organic concentrate holds many benefits for your plants and you.
Read on to know more about this treatment and how it helps. We also tell you when to stop administering neem oil for cannabis and provide a few alternatives.
What is neem oil, and what is it made of?
This concentrate has been around for centuries. Growing predominantly on the Indian subcontinent, neem oil derives from seeds.
It has a yellow-brown color with a strong sulfur smell that’s easily identifiable. This pungent concentrate is non-toxic to humans. Neem oil for cannabis plants may even hold health benefits for people.
It has a high count of powerful triterpenoids and triglycerides. People use it to treat various diseases and plant pests like fungus gnats.
How does neem oil affect weed plants?
Is neem oil safe for cannabis? Yes, and also beneficial. It prevents mildew and root rot, especially in high humidity. It protects plants from various common ailments when used as a leaf shine.
Neem oil for weed plants is a safe alternative to harmful pesticides. This concentration eliminates multiple insects, including gnats, aphids, and spider mites.
Mold is a common problem; many chemical products to treat it harm your plants with long-term use. Using neem oil for cannabis plants provides antifungal properties.
It protects your plants from mildew and fungi like fusarium in cannabis. The oily coating makes the foliage unpalatable and unattractive for bugs, but it doesn't kill the insects immediately. Use neem oil for cannabis for long periods as a preventative.
Over time, the insects that don't crawl away won't be able to reproduce, and the population collapses. It turns your plants into a hostile environment and keeps away most pests. Using neem oil for marijuana plants works differently from other pesticides.
It causes the number of insects to plummet, giving your plants enough time to recover any damage to their foliage. When a cannabis pest chews on leaves, the cannabis neem oil destroys their reproductive system impacting their ability to produce eggs.
It makes the leaves too sticky for insects to lay eggs, and living on the foliage becomes more difficult. Applying neem oil for pot plants coats the pests, making them harder to move.
How to use neem oil on weed plants?
It has strong antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties. Growers typically use neem oil for weed as an organic homemade fungicide.
The golden rule is always dilute. Neem oil’s sulfuric scent could get overpowering. Used undiluted, your plants sit in sticky sap and may experience stress caused by the neem oil for cannabis.
It's simple to use and fairly inexpensive compared to other pesticides on the market. As a multi-pest solution, you don't have to worry about purchasing other products. Are you ready to learn how to use neem oil?
Diluting it with an insecticidal soap mixed with water helps. Plain water won't work as H20 and oil don't mix, so the soap acts as an emulsifier.
Here's the step-by-step on how to use neem oil on weed plants:
- Dilute it according to the product ratio, and remember to include the soap.
- Pour into a spray bottle; the garden variety works best as it distributes more evenly than usual types.
- Spray the neem oil on the cannabis plants. Ensure you get it under the leaves, as some pests hide there. Cover the foliage till it's well-saturated but not dripping.
- Spray the soil to prevent insects from laying their eggs in the ground.
Use neem oil for marijuana once a week as a preventative measure. It creates a hostile environment that won't attract insects. If you have an active pest problem, use it every other day.
When you should avoid using neem oil for weed
Avoid using neem oil for weed plants for at least three weeks before harvest. Using it when the buds are almost ready drowns their natural aroma and taste.
Here are some other options, aside from applying neem oil on cannabis. They help with treating pests during the flowering stage and keeping your buds tasty:
- Insecticidal soaps
- Horticultural oils
- Water and alcohol
- Diatomaceous earth
- Pick them up and shake the pests off
If you've overwatered them or there's a nutrient deficiency, don't apply neem oil on weed plants. Avoid using it when they're already stressed. It could exacerbate your plants, so it's best to wait for them to recover.
Neem oil for cannabis is an effective treatment
If you're looking for an all-natural pesticide, then neem oil for marijuana plants is an excellent pick. This concentrate helps plants fight off bugs and prevents mold and other pathogens from forming.
It's best to grow resistant strains so you don't have to worry too much about mold and bugs. Neem oil for weed is effective, but it all comes down to genes.
We have a wide range of stabilized regular, autoflower, or female weed seed options.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about neem oil for cannabis and our to-the-point answers:
Is neem oil safe for weed plants?
Yes. It’s an organic concentrate suitable for cannabis. It has protective properties making it beneficial for keeping pests and mold at bay. Neem oil is safe for weed plants.
Is neem oil safe for humans?
Yes. The oil isn't toxic for humans. However, some people may be allergic to it or not handle it well. Do a skin patch test first to check your tolerance level. Using neem oil on cannabis plants up to three weeks before flowering ensures your buds are mostly free of it.
Can I spray neem oil on buds?
Yes. Spray neem oil on buds as it won't harm your plants, and apply it to the foliage to protect the flavor. Some pests eat the nugs, so in some cases, full coverage is necessary.
How late into flowering can I use neem oil?
As late as three weeks before harvest. If you use neem oil during flowering, it changes the aromatics of your buds. It could make them taste bitter.
How often should I use neem oil?
Use it in lower doses once a week for prevention. It creates a hostile environment for pests. Apply neem oil for marijuana once every other day. to treat an active infestation.
Is neem oil-treated marijuana safe to smoke?
Yes. It's safe unless you're allergic or have an intolerance for the potent scent. Healthwise it's better to combine neem oil and cannabis than to use products with harsh chemicals.
About the author: Parker Curtis
Parker Curtis has around a decade of cannabis-growing experience, specialising in soil-less and hydro grows. He’s mastering outdoor, greenhouse, and indoor grows.