Q.Used Neem oil on new red tip photinias
One plant had some type of bug eating the leaves and another plant looked like the leaves had issues with mold. I used a spray product that was probably not pure neem oil. I sprayed them in the afternoon of an 80-plus day! So I now know to use a 100% product diluted with soap and apply on a cool day! Now the leaves are wilted. (not dead but not good looking) If I pull the plants out and toss them, should I remove the soil they were planted in also?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Neem Oil comes in ready to use spray, concentrates, as well as other forms. It breaks down quickly in soil and water. If yours was a ready to use spray, it didn't need to be diluted. However, spraying during the hottest part of the day is a no-no. Always spray in early morning or evening. If the leaves are just wilted, but not brown or dead, I wouldn't pull them out just yet. They might survive. And if you do pull them out, wait about a month before replanting to be sure the chemical has broken down.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
