What's Your Thoughts on Neem Oil

I have only recently started using Neem Oil on my cacti and succulents, to deter the dreaded Mealy Bugs.
I mixed up a batch which worked great on the cacti, but be careful on some succulents.
This is what happened to a young Portulacaria Afra [mini jade ] the leaves all burned.
What did i do wrong, should i have diluted the mixture for younger plants ??

 

Never used it but found this on net hope its of some use to you

How to Use Neem Oil on Houseplants -
How to Use Neem Oil on Houseplants
Make sure you never spray your plant with neem oil on a daily basis as a repellent; it should be used once a month only. You can use neem oi

Neem oil may burn the foliage of certain plants. Flowers, young plants, new transplants and stressed pls are susceptible, even on species or cultivars that are typically not susceptible to neem damage. Although not an exhaustive list of neem-sensitive plants, some common examples are fuchsia, hibiscus, impatiens, cedars, junipers and spruces.
A Guide to Using Neem Oil for Plants | eHow

A Guide to Using Neem Oil for Plants | eHow.com

Using neem oil as a pesticide controls many pests, including aphids, mealybugs and scale insects. Neem is also an effective fungicide against powdery mildew and black spot. As a miticide, neem affects spider mites. Avoid using it on neem-sensitive pl

• Misting your plants. Misting your plants is by far the quickest solution to apply Neem Oil to your plant in order to fight the pest.
• Wiping your plants. If you want to be thorough and make sure you're not skipping parts of your plant, you should wipe off your plant with the Neem Oil and ...
• Remove pests using Q-Tips. ...

How to use Neem Oil with plants - Plant care for Begin…
plantcareforbeginners.com/articles/how-to-use-neem-oil-with-plants

 

@Janet mahay thanks for such an informative and helpful post, this explains everything, thanks Janet

 

I dab them with a brush dipped in meths

 

Neem oil had absolutely no effect at all on the root aphids which destroyed my Auricula collection. Even when I bare rooted the plants and soaked them in it.

 

I have no doubt neem oil will kill some insects on contact, but any thing that needs repeat spraying is going to damage a plant.
It also changes the appearance of a plant and makes dull leaves shine, so personally I would only recommend it as a leaf shine.

 

Properly diluted it certainly deterred slugs and snails on my Hosta's and young brassicas.
It was also quite effective at reducing powdery mildew on courgette and squash leaves.
I know it gets mixed reviews but I'm guessing that there are variable standards of 'pureness' and variable suppliers too.
Mine works for me.

 

Thanks all for your thoughts on Neem oil, it did do the job for me, but burned the odd leaf, @Michael Hewett never tried meths, is that effective on mealy bugs Michael

 

Before Neem oil and systemic insecticides; meths was the recommended treatment for mealy bugs.

 

@NigelJ thanks I honestly didn’t know that

 

Yes it seems to dissolve them away. Afterwards there will sometimes be a white residue.
Always look under the pot and around the rim, or in any gravel covering the soil, because they can live there as well.

 

Mealy bugs are a menace. I keep my collection fairly dry during winter which 'touch wood' has helped avoid the blighters.

 

I was under the impression mealy bugs preferred warm conditions in winter, they first appeared for me in my conservatory.
But since then I've found them overwintering on plants in my frost-free greenhouse.

 

Thanks guys for sharing your experience’s with the dreaded mealy bug, and thanks Michael for the tip’s much appreciated