Leaf Washing and Dusting - Orchid Board

josterha · #1 03-31-2008, 11:56 PM

Hi Everyone,

I have really been enjoying the OB! I can hardly wait to get home and read the new messages and comments. Anyway, I had done my watering yesterday and went around tonight to check all the plants and the condition of the leaves. All of them are plump and healthy! Except, I have a new phal that I bought from a local specialty garden shoppe. The plant seems fine, but the leaves are definitely a little dusty. I didn't want to just take a can of Pledge to it, so I thought I'd come to ask for advice. Has anyone used anything that they can recommend. The plant sits in a relatively low-light area, so I want the leaves to be able to absorb as much light as possible, and I'm sure this dust isn't helping anything.

Thanks!
- John

Jenn · #2 04-01-2008, 12:08 AM

Hi John!

I would think that a little water on a paper towel gently rubbed on the leaves would do the trick nicely. I have a few phals that have been sitting in my open windows that have pollen from outside on their leaves. I'll be doing the same thing myself!

kiki-do · #3 04-01-2008, 12:10 AM

Many wipe the leaves with lime juice or lemon juice. I've also read that mayonaise is wonderful, but make sure the leaves are wiped off thoroughly.
I have ordered from FirstRays just recently and he has a product called "? & Shine" that is suppose to be excellent. It's on it's way, but I haven't used it yet.
Sorry, can't think of the actual name right now, but Ray has many posts here with his website on it...so it shouldn't be hard to find. Hope this helped somewhat.

Don Perusse · #4 04-01-2008, 12:53 AM

When preparing for a show we use lemon juice with water and a soft cloth or Q-tip. Cleans them well without any effect to the plant.

Ray · #5 04-01-2008, 10:17 AM

It's Rise & Shine

kiki-do · #6 04-01-2008, 10:22 AM

Thanks Ray!

I'll remember it from now on....as that is what I am trying to do this morning.

caseydoll · #7 04-01-2008, 11:48 AM

I love Rise and Shine! I use it all the time and it works great.

Before I purchased that though I would use lemon juice to clean the leaves, sometimes rubbing down each leaf with a wedge. That worked good too but it's more of a hastle (and can burn any cuts you may have on your fingers!) I've read about mayo too. I'm sure it works good too but I don't think my stomach could handle it!

josterha · #8 04-01-2008, 11:57 PM

Kiki, Ray and Sarah,

Thanks for the advice. Rise and Shine sounds great, but I think I'll use lemon juice for the time being. I still have a small collection and I will get the added bonus of the smell of fresh citrus in my apartment! The less said about Mayonnaise on the leaves, the better!

- John