Water spots on leaves.

[OrchidPants]

I have noticed a bunch of hard water spots on the leaves of some of my orchids. I have seen a few websites that say I can use lemon juice or milk to remove them. I also have some neem oil which I have heard can also be used. I was wondering what you guys have done and had success with. Also do the water spots harm the plant or is it just aesthetics?

[WhiteRabbit]

I've used lemon juice. I suppose if the foliage became heavily coated with the minerals, it could affect the plant, but otherwise is just cosmetic. I haven't cleaned foliage (other than showering the plants to remove dust and debris) in a very long time

[Bill U.]

The removal of these spots is mostly cosmetic, but if the leaves get "caked" with these dried minerals, eventually it will suffocate the plant. I rarely wipe my leaves because I let my water supply sit out for at least 24 hrs before I use it to water or spray (to help get some of those minerals and nasty chemicals out). But when I do give them a cleaning, I just take a slightly damp paper towel and wipe the leaves with the same water that I water them with.

[silken]

I like to use lemon juice. Any time I bring a blooming one in from the greenhouse or bring it to our society's show n tell, it gets wiped down with lemon juice on a cotton pad.

[OrchidPants]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will try the lemon juice.