Garden & Greenhouse May 2019 Issue | Page 14

(Continued from page 10) THE ORIGINAL TWO-PART, PH BALANCED HYDROPONIC BASE NUTRIENT. • • • • Ensures maximum growth and flowering Highly concentrated pH balanced for increased yields Over 20 years of outstanding results High Performance Products. High Performance Service. To see the full line of products and find a dealer near you please visit: www.tradewindsgarden.com 14 Neem Oil In addition to the botanical oils found in qual- ity products like Guard ’n Spray, neem oil is a popular botanical oil used as a pesticide among horticulturists. Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide found in the seed of the neem tree. The vast majority of neem products originate from the Indian subcontinent where the neem tree is thought to have originated. The neem tree is con- sidered by many to be of divine origin. The Vedas called neem “Sarv Roga Nivarni”, which means “one that cures all ailments and ills”. Like other products derived from the neem tree, neem oil is prized by many for its healing qualities. Once extracted, neem oil is generally yel- low to brown in color and has a bitter taste. Neem oil is not a new insecticide. In fact, it has been used for hundreds of years to control pests and dis- eases. However, the process of extracting neem oil has progressed over the years. To obtain neem oil, the seeds are broken open and the kernels sepa- rated. The kernels are then pressed to expel the oil. This cold-pressed oil can be used in pesticides, or in other non-edible products, such as soaps. Some neem oil is produced through a solvent extrac- tion from the neem seed cake. Solvent-extracted neem oil is of lower quality than the cold-pressed neem oil. In addition to being the exclusive dealer www.GardenandGreenhouse.net May 2019