[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I will never use neem oil again (hydrophobic extract, the commonest thing available around here). I have noted that nurseries and home centers are storing their neem oil OUTSIDE. I have been on the internet to check on storage temps. Of 5 products checked, 3 state minimum storage temp is 55 F and one says 38 F. I don't know about your particular weather, but I would guess that most places go below 55 F during winter. My neck of the woods gets to 13 F every winter or lower, and no one brings the neem oil inside for winter. Don't know what this does to the character of the oil, but it can't be good or they would not list the minimum at 55 F. How about the temperature in warehouses? Or in the process of trucking it around the country?

I have had no end of trouble with this stuff. Mottled leaves in Catts and Dens, death and disfigurement in terete leaved orchids, and now I am suspicious that the micro fungus in Phals is due to neem oil or other refined oils. The last time I used neem on mites this fall, it had no effect on them, and mites are not supposed to develop resistance to neem. If the manufactures can not insist on minimum temps from factory to point of sales, then I think this stuff is a disaster waiting to happen.

Those of you using pure neem oil may want to check the internet for the min temps on that stuff.