[brookn]

Cynthia, I believe the minimum is suggested because the neem becomes solid at colder temps, have not heard of it affecting the product. What I read or was told was to use warm water to 'thaw' it out (placing the neem container in the water). Someone even suggested refrigerating it, then sitting out at room temp. to warm it up for use. I believe it takes on a shortening like consistency. I think that I read somewhere that cold is okay, but that heat is very bad for neem. To get the oil from the seeds without losing integrity of the product, it is cold pressed. I would not buy it if it were sitting outside in hot weather, but cold should not be a problem (but it also depends on how many months it was sitting out). I order mine online from a guy that keeps it in his basement. It is Dyna Gro, and it is in a white bottle, because light also affects the integrity of the neem.

I have been using the pure neem on my Dend. an experiment of sorts. I use the pure neem on one, and my cinnamon mix on the other. They both had mites. What I am seeing is they are both fine with no mites, the one sprayed with neem is producing a new growth. I admit that I completely stopped using the stuff that is premixed in the green spray bottle, I wonder if the problem with the stuff was caused by heat during shiping? Caused a mottled leaf on 2 of my Gratixara, and almost killed my Onc. it is still in recovery, and I have doubts that it will even make it. Had a few mottled leaves on the Dend. but they have fallen off. I also believe that particular spray killed one of my Phals. it was fine one day, and the next I touched a leaf and the whole plant fell apart. I certainly will not use it again. I am holding off on judgement on the pure neem for now, but I am only using it on one plant, and it is a Dend., and nothing seems to faze the two that I have.

My best advice to anyone wanting to try neem is to buy pure neem being careful that you research the manufacturer (to see if how the neem is extracted from the seed, cold pressed is best), dilute the pure carefully and according to the directions, and to use on plants that have thicker leaves. Some of us here are still experimenting with it, and it has not always had the best results. I don't mind using it on a couple NOIDs to see if I can get some experience that may be helpful to others, however, I will not be horribly upset if it does do these plants in. I would not use it on my favorite unless I am positive that it will not do more harm than good.

Anyone else have some experience with using the pure neem oil?