This summer has been
a real buggy one. I suppose it was due to a cold and damp spring,
followed by standing water due to ground saturation then it got hot
and the insects came out in full force. Overall my irises took a
beating from the sucking insects and when I found that natural
soap treatment was not strong enough I cut the irises back and
treated the soil rhizomes and leaves with neem oil insecticide
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| Keeping my irises healthy with neem oil concentrate |
Neem oil insecticide
is natural and is safe to use in your garden. Plus it will not harm
the butterflies or hummingbirds. I bought the brand Garden safe
Neem oil extract concentrated liquid from Lowes.com. The label
featured that it eliminate the garden pests; spider mites, aphids,
powdery mildew, whiteflies, black spot and rust.
I followed the
directions and treated my irises and roses in the evening after the
sun went down. It is best to use this plant and shrub spray on a
cloudy day or in the evening. Not a good idea to use during the heat
of the day or in direct light as it will burn your plants leaves.
I saturated the
soil, around and my plants stems and leaves. I am am pleased with
the results thus far. Now as far as the grasshopper and other
chewing garden pests I plan to treat my entire yard with concentrated
spearmint as this was recommended to me by pest control expert.
Know that if you irises are under attack by mites, leaf spot disease, rust and aphids then neem oil concentrate mixed with water will help. If you have grasshoppers or other chewing garden pests then neem oil will not get rid of them
Learn the dos and
don’ts for cutting back irises here
