| Neutral | Magpye | On Jun 28, 2007, Magpye from NW Qtr, AR (Zone 6a) wrote: Other common names are: margosa tree, Indian lilac, and balnimb and is in the same plant family as mahogany .. and is . Among other things, its wood is used for timber, its bark for fibre and its seeds for fuel.
Neem trees are planted to provide shade and prevent soil erosion. Its wood can be used as a substitute for true mahogany, because it is heavy and similarly red in colour. Neem trees provide a very durable lumber .. so, is excellent for making carts, agricultural tools, bridges and for boat building.
Neem is also a good plant used for making poles because it will re-sprout after it is cut, and is thus easily pollarded or coppiced.
The bark of the Neem tree, is rough and its color can be pale to greyish-black. The tree produces a useful wood with a built-in pesticide.
Its leaves are alternately arranged with long, slender leaf stalks .. with the edges of the leaves usually found to be toothed. The leaves are used as a pesticide, insect repellent and medicine.
Neem oil is obtained from the seeds.
Hardiness:
Neem needs a heated greenhouse or very warm window sill. Minimum temperature required is around 18°C (64.5 degrees Fahrenheit).
Propagation:
From seed. Sow seeds in a pot, cover with 2-3 cm (to 1 1/8 or so inches) of compost and keep warm inside a sealed plastic bag. Germination should take about 3 weeks at 20°C (68 degrees Fahrenheit).
Cultivation:
Pot the seedlings, once they are large enough, and move into bigger pots as are needed. Neem responds fairly well to being trimmed and can be grown in a 45cm pot for some years in a heated glasshouse. Prune large plants in spring, and lightly prune again later, if necessary. Water plants well in the growing season and feed using a general liquid feed.
* Safety *
Some people are allergic to neem, especially to the ripe seeds and mature leaves, so be careful handling this plant. The seeds can cause stomach upsets if accidentally eaten. Large quantities can cause severe sickness. They should be kept out of the reach of children.
Additionally .. there are some reports of allergic reactions to neem products. This could be because another species called Melia azedarach or chinaberry, is also called neem and could have been used in medicinal prescriptions instead of Azadirachta indica. Melia azedarach contains compounds that are thought to be more toxic than those in Azadirachtin indica. The use of the common name 'neem' to describe two different species of plants, can be confusing. |
One vendor has this plant for sale.
