By Luke Sumpter


Neem oil serves as the perfect alternative to dangerous chemical pesticides. It targets a long list of pest species and fungal pathogens while keeping beneficial life forms unharmed. Discover why neem oil has the potential to protect your cannabis crop, and exactly how to prepare and apply it.

Nem oil

What Is Neem Oil?

Neem oil derives from the neem tree, known by the Latin binomial Azadirachta indica. As a naturally occurring pesticide, it remains one of the most popular pest management options among organic growers. The use of neem oil to protect plants dates back hundreds of years, and many contemporary growers use the substance, on both small and industrial scales. When applied as a foliar spray, the biopesticide boasts effectiveness against hundreds of different pests and pathogens, including bugs, fungi, and viruses. A key compound within neem oil, named azadirachtin, works as both an antifeedant and insect growth regulator by blocking the release of a hormone that enables insects to transition from the larval to the pupal stages.

How Is Neem Oil Made?

The process of extracting oil from the seeds of the neem tree involves several crucial steps. First, seeds are harvested from mature neem trees, broken open, and the kernels are separated. The kernels are then pressed using industrial processing equipment or with traditional wooden hand-presses known as ghanis. Neem seeds are absolutely packed with oil, and yields are often as high as 50% of the weight of the kernel. Bottled neem oil products also sometimes contain emulsifiers to enable the oil to mix properly with water before application.

How is neem oil made

The Historical Use of Neem in Agriculture

Using neem oil to fight off plant pests and diseases isn’t a modern innovation. The use of neem as a biocontrol agent has its roots in traditional Indian farming practices. Here, farmers apply neem both as a pesticide and soil enhancer, utilising not just the oil from the seeds but also the leaves and bark to build soil fertility.

The Benefits of Using Neem for Organic Pest Control

Neem has a wide range of benefits in the garden and grow room. Unlike conventional chemical pesticides, research has shown that neem oil poses no danger to agricultural workers. On top of this, it has no ill effect on the wider environment, including wildlife. The active compound quickly breaks down and creates no toxic effects in birds, mammals, and plants. However, it can negatively impact aquatic organisms. It also poses no danger to bees and other pollinators, as insects must eat treated plants in order for neem oil to take effect as a pesticide.

Dive deeper into the benefits of neem oil as a biocontrol agent below.

  • Organic and Biodegradable

Neem oil can help to protect a wide variety of crops, including cannabis, without having a detrimental effect on garden ecosystems and the wider environment. As a biodegradable substance, neem oil swiftly breaks down without leaving harmful residues in soil and water. This makes neem oil a superior and eco-friendly choice for conscious growers who would rather forgo chemical agents that pollute the soil and harm beneficial organisms.

  • Broad-Spectrum Effectiveness Against a Range of Pests

When using neem oil for cannabis, the substance doesn’t target a specific set of pests or diseases. Rather, it works in a scattershot manner to kill pests and pathogens that actively attack and devour treated plant tissues. Overall, it has proven effective against approximately 600 plant-harming species. These include the usual suspects that cause both indoor and outdoor cannabis growers grief, such as spider mites, whiteflies, aphids, and caterpillars. This broad-spectrum effect makes neem oil a must-have biocontrol agent that all growers should have ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

  • Help to Manage Fungal Diseases

Most cannabis growers spend time concerning themselves with the most common pest insects. However, pathogenic microbes are also a serious threat to plant health and yields. Root rot, bud rot, and stem rot are vicious plant conditions that often kill off entire plants and ruin harvests. Powdery mildew, a parasitic fungal infection, also wreaks havoc by robbing plant resources and blocking out the sunlight that leaves need to conduct photosynthesis. Thankfully, neem oil also makes easy work of many fungal pathogens that target cannabis plants. It helps to fight off powdery mildew, rust, and black spot by creating a protective barrier on leaf surfaces, and by directly hindering the growth of pesky microbes.

How to Apply Neem Oil to Weed Plants

Neem oil works as an effective and eco-friendly biocontrol, but how should you go about applying it to your weed plants? Growers first need to dilute neem oil before they start spraying it all over their plants. There are also some best practice guidelines to keep in mind to make sure your applications are effective and don’t leave any wiggle room for pests to still gain a foothold. Read on to discover how to use neem oil for cannabis in the most efficacious way possible.

How to apply neem oil

Diluting Neem Oil

Before you start applying neem oil to weed plants, you need to dilute it to reduce the potency. Applying highly concentrated neem can harm plants by causing them to burn in sunny weather. After purchasing a bottle of neem oil, you’ll need to store it in a cool and dark place. However, just before use, allow it to warm up to room temperature (around 25°C) so it becomes runnier and easier to mix. Next, grab yourself a spray bottle. Mix roughly 1 part neem oil with 25 parts lukewarm water. Ensure your water isn’t too warm, as this can denature the neem oil and reduce its efficacy. Replace the cap on your spray bottle and shake it thoroughly to allow the neem to dissolve fully and evenly.

Diluting neem oil

Best Practices for Applying Neem Oil

Now that you have your neem oil solution, you need to learn how to apply it properly to maximise its effectiveness at taking down pest insects. First things first—make sure to apply it during the cool parts of the day, either before sunrise or in the late afternoon. Applying neem oil during the warmest hours will increase the risk of leaf burn. Next, apply the mist as evenly as possible across your entire plant. Make sure to cover the stems, the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves, and the petioles. This widespread coverage will ensure that any insect that decides to take a bite out of your plant will be dealt with.

Should You Apply Neem During the Flowering Phase?

Pest insects don’t stop feeding on cannabis plants just because they start to bloom. But can you apply neem oil to cannabis plants during the flowering stage? You can, but there are a couple of things to consider.

When applied to mature flowers, neem can alter their taste in several ways. The oil may disrupt resin production, which serves as a source of cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes. Second, when applied shortly before harvest, neem oil residue can leave a bitter and harsh taste. With this in mind, you can still use the biocontrol to battle pests during bloom. Just make sure to cease application at least three weeks before harvest to avoid undesirable flavours when it comes to smoking your bounty.

Addressing Concerns About Neem Oil as an Organic Pesticide

While neem boasts a superior safety profile compared to conventional chemical pesticides, many organic growers are still concerned about its effect on their garden ecosystem. Conscious growers spend lots of time tending to the beneficial microbial and insect life in their growing space and don’t want to risk disrupting the balance. So, what are the primary concerns when it comes to spraying neem oil on weed plants?

Does Neem Oil Kill Beneficial Insects?
Some growers are under the impression that as well as killing pests, neem oil will harm the beneficial insects in their garden. Think about it this way: neem will help to reduce the population of any pest that takes a bite out of your weed plants. Anything else, including beneficial predatory insects and pollinators, will remain unscathed.
Does Neem Oil Harm Worms?
Worms are among the most beneficial organisms in any garden. They help to break down organic matter, increase the nitrogen content in the soil, and improve soil structure, aeration, and drainage. Thankfully, neem oil doesn’t harm these subterranean allies. Its biodegradable nature means it leaves no residue in the soil.
Can Neem Oil Harm and Burn Cannabis Plants?
When used properly, neem oil poses no threat to cannabis plants. When correctly diluted and applied at the right time of day, it won’t harm your botanical babies in any way. However, when applied undiluted or during the warmest hours of the day, neem oil has the potential to harm plant tissues.

Neem Oil: A Sustainable Choice for Organic Pest Control

Neem oil has become an indispensable tool in the arsenal of many cannabis cultivators. It works as an effective broad-spectrum biocontrol agent against a wide range of pests and pathogens. All the while, it remains largely harmless to beneficial insects, worms, and the wider environment. Now you’re aware of how to dilute neem oil and exactly how to apply it to cannabis plants for the best results!

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: