Question
QUESTION: Hello. My question is about cucumbers in a greenhouse. Now is getting really hot and we have a serious problem with tetranichus. How can we deal with it? We tried every drag but they did nothing. Is there any nature solution? Can u help us please? Thank you.

ANSWER: Dear Niki, It is so nice to get a question with Latin in it.  I had to look up tetranichus to find out that it was spider mites, so I have learned something new today.  Anyway, my favorite solution would be NEEM.  This product controls insects, spider mites, and diseases, and it does so organically, so it is a very good thing to keep on hand.  I really like Fertilome's Triple Action Plus.  Be careful, as there is a Triple Action which has NEEM and one that uses other chemicals.  Be sure to get the one with NEEM as this is very safe for garden produce.  You will probably have to spray it several times about a week apart to get complete control.  I think you have to wait one full day from spraying to eating the cucumbers, but the wait isn't very long.  I recently used the Triple Action Plus on some very stubborn scale and mealybugs (a slow moving type of scale) and was impressed to see that virtually all of it came off after the first spraying.  They use NEEM on all the community gardens in this area.  Be sure to spray the tops and bottoms of leaves, and spray till the plant is dripping and you should have great results.  Good luck, Melissa

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QUESTION: Hi Melissa, this is Niki from Cyprus again.
I hope u are fine. I search in cyprus market and i managed to find only one intem. Its name is NEEMEX.Its composition is   Azadirachtin 0.3% w/w min
         Inert ingredients:up to 100%

Rate of use is 250-300 cc in 100 ltr water.
Pre-harvest period id 3 days.

I will try it out on Monday and i will inform u about the results.

Thanks again. Take care.

ANSWER: Dear Niki, Thank you so much for the update.  I looked up the azadirachtin compound and that should work fine.  Interestingly, Neem is used at a smaller concentration than any other insecticidal or fungicidal product that I've ever seen, and yet it is one of the most effective.  The one I am using here is 0.9% Neem.  Just remember that you will have to spray several times a few days or a week apart to completely get rid of them. I appreciate your keeping me informed about this, as this will help my responses to people who live in your part of the world.  Good luck in advance.  Melissa

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QUESTION: Hi Melissa. Do you think ist safe to spray the Neem oil in high temperature?
I mean in my greenhouse is around 40 degrees.I sthere any risk of burning the plants? But anywhay i will try it out on Monday and i will inform u about the results.Thanks so much.

Answer
Dear Niki, If possible, spray in the early morning, late afternoon, or early evening to reduce the risk of burning the leaves.  If it does, it probably will be mostly some leaf tip damage and since cucumbers aren't ornamental, it shouldn't be a problem.  I have used Neem a lot in high temperatures and haven't had any problems.  If you can put a fan in the greenhouse after the spray dries, spray in a cooler time of the day, or open the greenhouse to reduce the temperature then that would help, but actually I live in Texas and it is always hot here.  I don't think you will have any problems.  Good luck and keep me posted.  Melissa