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jmoore · 04-23-2012, 11:46 AM

I was just going to ask a question about neem oil and I found my partial answer.

Here is my question: neem oil is an oil and as such needs to be mixed with water before being applied to my plants. Before it will emulsify with water it needs an emulsifier added. I have looked around and found that polysorbate 20 (or tween 20) is a good emulsifier and will not harm the plants, however I have also researched that polysorbate 20 is carcinogenic and I would rather not use it around my kids. My question is: could I use glycerine as an emulsifier? Would it harm my plants?

I appreciate that a pesticide would be a good option, however mites can be resistant to pesticide and again I have the kids issue. Plus I can't get hold of most of the products mentioned on here because they just aren't available in the UK.

I would like to try 'exemptor', but I don't have billions of pounds (I exaggerate) but it's out of my price bracket. So I would like to try neem oil.

Any thoughts anyone?

04-23-2012, 11:46 AM	#16 (permalink)
jmoore jmoore 's Photo Gallery Location: Lowestoft, UK Zone: 8a Name: James Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 766 BananaBucks : 119,067 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 192 Times Was Thanked 799 Times in 373 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 71 Times	Re: Battling spider mites every year. I was just going to ask a question about neem oil and I found my partial answer. Here is my question: neem oil is an oil and as such needs to be mixed with water before being applied to my plants. Before it will emulsify with water it needs an emulsifier added. I have looked around and found that polysorbate 20 (or tween 20) is a good emulsifier and will not harm the plants, however I have also researched that polysorbate 20 is carcinogenic and I would rather not use it around my kids. My question is: could I use glycerine as an emulsifier? Would it harm my plants? I appreciate that a pesticide would be a good option, however mites can be resistant to pesticide and again I have the kids issue. Plus I can't get hold of most of the products mentioned on here because they just aren't available in the UK. I would like to try 'exemptor', but I don't have billions of pounds (I exaggerate) but it's out of my price bracket. So I would like to try neem oil. Any thoughts anyone?