Diane, Mataram writes: We grew neem trees in three different locations in Mali, West Africa. They survive extreme heat, long (over 6 month) dry seasons, are inherently insect resistant, and are hardy.
Their leaves contain a natural insecticide which I used often to treat scabies, since it is much less toxic than the commercially available treatments. However, their roots can be a real menace to walls and pavements, so people need to be aware of this when choosing their location.
One house we lived in had a large Neem next to the driveway. The neem produced its fruit at the same time as the mango. We would hear the fruit bats squealing and fighting in the neem at night, but they spoiled very few of the mangos, despite there being thousands of fruit bats in the area.
The driveway was made from large paving stones cemented in place. The neem roots broke the cement and lifted many of the paving stones. We kept the landlord from cutting the tree down while we lived there, but he cut it shortly after we moved.
Our home in the village had a cement block perimeter wall with a row of neem trees planted about 4 feet outside the wall. The tree roots produced large cracks in the walls beside each tree. In order to preserve both the wall and the trees, we had to dig a 60cm deep ditch outside the walls and cut through the offending roots. The ditch had to be kept open to prevent new roots from growing toward the walls and repeating the problem.
The rural land we bought had many neem trees, but they were all in open areas. We did not build close to them, so they were no problem. I caution people to plant them well away from buildings, walls, or pavement, so that they do not cause structural damage which may necessitate their removal.
Apart from some minor editing, I have chosen to use Diane’s letter in full. The development of such a vigorous root-system is entirely congruent with the tree’s ability to withstand unfavorable climatic conditions for long periods; so if you have, or intend to plant Neem, keep these warnings mind. Recently planted young trees may be carefully removed and replanted – larger trees will need to be trenched as described above.
This letter is timely, as I have also received recent correspondence complaining that calls/emails to www.indoneem.com have gone unanswered. I have had the same experience – the only successful call reaching someone who assured me that the website was still fully operational and that the company was still in existence. He gave me another HP number to call. I have tried this several times without success; neither has the recipient returned my calls, though they must register as missed calls.
One contact has ‘given up’ and is now trying to source neem products from Australia. The main interest seems to be for Neem Oil, Neem Tea, Neem Insecticide, Neem Soap, in that order. I apologise to my readers for this inconvenient situation, but I am also eager to acquire neem products. If any readers can send me reliable details as to where these; together with, seeds and/or young plants may be obtained, I am only too happy to make the information available through this column.
I commend this information to recent enquiries regarding
organic protection against garden pests. It seems that simply growing a tree on your property provides this to a considerable extent. Diane’s comments re keeping fruit bats away from ripening mangoes is also a good pointer and fits in well with my comments in earlier articles about the origins of natural stands of neem on the eastern slopes of Gunung Agung.
I still recommend a close reading of the information provided on Indoneem’s website. Many of the problems encountered by gardeners (especially in the hotter lowlands) would seem to be addressed by growing a suitably located neem tree. This would also provide you with the raw material to make your own products. Instructions as to how do this may be found in the earlier series of neem articles on the B.A. website. Remember this also, planting a neem tree will not only benefit your garden’s health – it will also benefit your health and that of your family.
I do have some reliable information re availability of Neem products. Siggi of the Seminyak Friday Market has emailed me with the news that a vendor of Neem products will be joining that market from the beginning of November. He also tells me that they have been available at the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Ubud for quite some time. I was reasonably certain that this was the case, but we now have confirmation that this is so. Ubud is not so far away, so all you seekers of Neem take a trip there on a Saturday and be assured of supply.
Please send all your gardening questions to
E-mail: gardendoctor08@yahoo.com
