Neem
- To: Multiple recipients of list SQFT <S*@UMSLVMA.UMSL.EDU>
- Subject: Neem
- From: D* H* <d*@TGN.NET>
- Date: Sat, 15 Mar 1997 20:53:28 -0600
SQFooter: This is an excerpt from a weekly newspaper column I write on gardening. This week I interviewed several scientist and producers about Neem. I thought I'd share this info with you, because we all are looking for the least toxic remedies to are garden problems. Doreen ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Neem, a tropical shade tree native to India, appears to be a non-toxic cure-all for gardening problems. Scientists with the United States Department of Agriculture's Research Service have found that extract made from tree seeds not only kills stubborn pests such as whiteflies, red spider mites and aphids, but it protects plants against fungal attacks. Commercial fungicides such as Captan and Benomyl act as deterrents to fungus by coating plant surfaces. So does neem. It covers plant leaves like a rubber raincoat, but without adding toxic compounds that run off into the soil and water table. Commercial fungicides don't break down readily and end up in the soil and water for months--even years. Neem Sources I don't often endorse products, but I think neem extract is the best product any gardener can use. It kills insects and protects from fungal disease--all in one spray. And, it's not toxic, because it is botanical that occurs normally in nature. In India, neem has been used for centuries in soap and toothpaste. Neem can be found at local discount stores and nurseries under the brand name ROSE DEFENSE by Green Light. The company also markets the same formula under the name FRUIT, NUT & VEGETABLE SPRAY and TOMATO & VEGETABLE SPRAY. However, the last two products are not available locally. A Green Light spokesman said that ROSE DEFENSE can be used on vegetables and fruit, too. What he admitted, indirectly, was that all three products are the same, but are marketed separately. And, according to the USDA, ROSE DEFENSE is safe to use on vegetables, fruit and nuts.
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