cleaning leaves - Page 2 - Orchid Board

cabbo · #11 02-01-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judi

If I used majonaise or milk on my orchids my 3 cats would make quick work of them--no more orchids and no more problems! But seriously, I put small amonts of fresh lemon juice in a pyrex cup and dip disposable cotton balls or small pieces of gauze making sure I use fresh pyrex cup and gauze for each plant to make sure I don't spread bugs, disease, etc between plants. I am also very careful not not to use the same gauze pad and lemon juice on the same plant with leaves that look even slightly suspecious.

Do you wipe off the lemon juice afterwards? I tried it and it worked great I just wasn't sure if I should wipe off the juice residue.

jsauger · #12 02-02-2009, 06:38 AM

Cabbo:

I use the inside of the peel. It makes the plants smell good and it's not as sticky as using milk.

Austinerd · #13 02-02-2009, 09:27 AM

I've found that I don't need to wipe any residue off after the lemon juice. I think something about the acidity of it makes it evaporate and leaves the
Leaves clean and sort of shiny.
Dan

Blueszz · #14 02-02-2009, 11:49 AM

Last week I tried something new (?). I took a baby whipe with oil. Put that in hot water and washed it without soap. Much of the oil was removed that way. I squeezed it to remove as much water as I could and whiped the leaves of a Phal with it.
Didn't seem to harm the plant, but I can't speak about long term effects. The leaves are beautifully shiny without feeling oily.

cirillonb · #15 02-02-2009, 04:15 PM

couldn't one use properly diluted horticultural oil, as for a spray, on a piece of rag or cotton ball? I think a new commercial product out has neems oil as its main ingredient.

VickiC · #16 02-03-2009, 11:26 AM

Hi Blueszz,
This is interesting.....a good idea.....I hope it works for you in the long run. What kind of oil did you use? I used mayo the other day, and it seems to have worked nicely. The leaves still look pretty and clean. I plan to try lemon juice or milk next time....and probably something else that another member suggests next time.....I just want to experiment. If your system continues to work good, I would like to try it, as well. I hope you will keep us informed.
Thanks for your advice,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueszz

Last week I tried something new (?). I took a baby whipe with oil. Put that in hot water and washed it without soap. Much of the oil was removed that way. I squeezed it to remove as much water as I could and whiped the leaves of a Phal with it.
Didn't seem to harm the plant, but I can't speak about long term effects. The leaves are beautifully shiny without feeling oily.

VickiC · #17 02-03-2009, 11:32 AM

Hi,
I'm sure this would be very good.....I assume, that is. I've not heard of a new product as the one you have described, but I haven't researched at all.....I only know of Rise and Shine.

Thank you for your help,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirillonb

couldn't one use properly diluted horticultural oil, as for a spray, on a piece of rag or cotton ball? I think a new commercial product out has neems oil as its main ingredient.

playtime8978 · #18 03-28-2009, 01:05 PM

Perfect topic I was just looking for how to clean my orchids leaves as many of my new ones have water residue marks and dusty I think I will try the Lemon juice method first and see how I get on, OB rocks I learn and learn and learn thank you.

ChasWG · #19 03-28-2009, 01:57 PM

I too was very glad to see this topic. My newest Phal is gorgous, but the leaves are a bit dull and dusty.

My question is: will any of these products (milk, mayo, lemon juice, banana peels) attract bugs to the plant? I know here in desert like Colorado I put bits of banana peels into the wasp/hornet traps to attract them. I was thinking that other bugs (meelies) might like the smell of some of these other idems. Cats seem to like milk...