Cleaning Leaves of Orchids

Orchid leaves left in open catch a lot of dust, dirt, and residual salts from water and chemical residue (fungicide/pesticide) and over a period of time look ugly.

Keeping orchid leaves clean is an integral part of orchid care. Periodic cleaning of orchid leaves makes them look neat and happy.

I am not for using chemical sprays tor expensive spray to clean the leaves and following is a simpler approach to clean the leaves.

Items required

1)    10-20 ml of full fat milk

2)    200 ml of water

3)    Baby wipes or tissue

4)    2 cups to hold water

Step 1: Mix 10-20 ml of full fat milk and 100 ml water in one of the cups and 100 ml plain water in another cup.

Step 2: Dip the baby wipes/tissue and gently wipe the upper side of the leaves in a circular motion

Step 3: Dip the baby wipes/tissue in plain water to clean the tissue before dipping it in milk solution.

Step 4:  Exercise care and don’t wipe with force on the underside of the leaves as stomata are located.

Important points to consider

1.     Wipe newer leaves first and then the older leaves to prevent any dormant fungal/bacterial spores on older leaves to spread to newer leaves.

2.     As much as possible don’t reuse wipes/tissues across plants as there are chances that it could enable spreading of any infections

3.     Cautiously keep away any infected plants from this treatment

Other alternatives

1)    Use lime juice or orange juice 1:10 in water for similar use

2)    Mayonnaise 

3)    White Vinegar 1:10

4)    Banana peals

Before the treatment

After the treatment