add extra perlite and also employ FoxFarm’s Happy Frog Jump
Start, which is a nutrient specially formulated for seedlings and
newly transplanted or repotted plants.SUBJECT: Emulsifying Neem Oil
FROM: BBQ Billy
vI live in a fairly cold area, and my neem oil is almost solid at times. It
stays separate when I try to mix it into water. No matter how many
times I shake up the sprayer bottle, I still see the neem-oil particu-
lates, and the solution never seems to mix together the way it should.
I sometimes have issues with mites, and I need to use the spray as a
foliar preventative and for occasional flare-ups in mite populations.
Can you give me some tips on properly emulsifying my oil?Dear Billy,
First, try to find pure neem-seed oil. Many of the products on
the market aren’t quite the real deal and are diluted with other
products. Dyna-Gro produces a great oil that’s natural and free
of additives. As for mixing, you need to add an emulsifier such
as a silica additive or horticultural soap to your oil before mix-
ing it into warm water.
Pour 1½ teaspoons of neem oil into a cup and add a half tea-
spoon of emulsifier. Dyna-Gro also makes an excellent product
for this called Pro-Tekt, but you can use dish soap in a pinch as
long as it’s natural. After some stirring, add the mixture of oil
and emulsifier to a quart of warm water (not hot, but around
75-80°F). Some people use a blender to get it smooth, but you
can just shake the solution around inside the bottle. Be sure
to spray it on the tops and undersides of your leaves for full
coverage.SUBJECT: Interfering Seeds
FROM: Geert
Sup, dude? I’ve grown outside a few times, and we’re still fine-tuning
our soil, but I have a question about trimming. I have a tree nearby
that releases these tiny butterfly-shaped seeds that work their way
into my buds. I don’t have space for a greenhouse to keep every-
thing nice and clean. Do you by chance know anything about pos-
sibly washing the buds, or should I stick to my tweezer approach
while I trim? It’s not like a plague, but every tenth bud or so I find a
few seeds, and I know I miss quite a few because I find them after I
use the grinder. Any and all help would be much appreciated, and
keep up the writing of awesome articles.Dear Geert,
The best thing you could do is to shield your plant using a
greenhouse, but it seems you’ve ruled that out. Just keep in
mind that greenhouses come in many different sizes, and there
are customizable versions for almost any space or budget. Per-
haps there’s another small structure you could build to protect
your plants from these seeds, or you could consider relocating
your plants farther away from the offending foliage. The most
drastic step you could take is to cut down the tree in question,
which might also free up more sunshine for your garden, but
that’s a decision that I hesitate to make for you. m112 HIGH TIMES I OCTOBER 2019
DEAR DANKODanko Tip: When using extension cords, always make sure to match or exceed
the wattage rating of whatever appliance you’re plugging in to avoid fires.