cleaning leaves

[VickiC]

Hi,
The leaves on the sick orchid that I bought yesterday seem fairly healthy (maybe a little less than that) but they look very dull. I would like to try to make them healthier and shiny, if poss. What do each of you use to clean and shine your leaves? I looked back on old posts and saw that lemon juice or mayonnaise or milk was recommended. Of these, which do you prefer.....or do you use something else? I would appreciate your input.

By the way, thank all of you so much for helping me treat and repot my phal.....I appreciate your advice.

Vicki

[jkofferdahl]

I guess I'm not so fancy, and perhaps my answer also dates me. I use a damp cloth diaper. These are as soft as anything made of cloth, very absorbant, and have no chemicals in them.

[Lagoon]

I use some weak tea and a babys face cloth

[jsauger]

I use a paper towel or soft cloth with some milk or a banana peel. Put's a great shine on the leaves and lasts.

[cb977]

I use mayo but you need to be very careful in making sure you buff all of it off the leaves. Don't leave any residue...you'll essentially "fry" the plant

[Junebug]

I've used milk and it works pretty good for general dust and dirt but it didn't remove those unsightly white mineral deposits that are often found on nursery grown plants. I had one cattleya with white deposits all over her leaves and pseudobulbs. I tried mayonnaise and milk on numerous occasions but it was fresh lemon juice and some light elbow grease that finally did the job.

[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.

[VickiC]

Thanks for your help, everyone!

Vicki

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by jsauger

I use a paper towel or soft cloth with some milk or a banana peel. Put's a great shine on the leaves and lasts.

Great idea, which side of the banana peel do you use?

[Austinerd]

Lemon juice works great for me....I just squeeze a half a lemon onto a paper towel.
Dan