Hello all,

I’m in Minnesota and normally I keep my citrus trees indoor year round. In the past, I’ve been too worried about potential pests on top of trying to figure out water/nutrients/soil mixes. Now I have those things under (decent) control so I’ve decided to suck it up and put them outside. I’m hoping the benefits are worth the risk.

So, a few quick questions on pest management:

-I don’t currently have pests and I’d like to keep it that way. Is it okay to use a weak Neem solution as a preventative measure? Or do you wait until you see signs of an issue?

-When mixing a neem solution, is it okay to use Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap with Peppermint as an emulsifier? I’ve heard peppermint repels many insects, but I’m unsure if citrus can tolerate it.

- How long should the tree stay out of the sun after an application? If it is applied in the evening and given the chance to dry overnight, would it be okay to be exposed to sun by morning?

- Can neem be used as a soil drench? If so, do you dilute it more than when used as a spray? I have heard mixed things on this,

Thank you for your help!