How can I remove water spots on my orchid leaves? Our well water runs through limestone and therefore leaves white deposits on the leaves when the water dries. Now the leaves are starting to look dull and somewhat unsitely.
Any suggestions?

From my "Home Remedies" page:

If you live in an area where the water has a fair amount of dissolved
minerals, or if you mist with a fertilizer solution, the leaves of your
plants can become dull in appearance. Folks may warn you that these
treatments can clog the pores (stomata) on the leaves, but I've never seen a
problem.


Pineapple juice, or any citrus juice (lemon, lime, orange), when rubbed
onto the leaves with a soft cloth or paper towel will also remove such
deposits so your leaves will be nice and shiny. I suppose the acidity
reacts with the mostly alkaline deposits. (Thanks to CJ Maciejeski)


Reka reports that stale beer may also be used for shining up leaves,
although we're both at a loss for how to get stale beer, as it never gets
that way around our houses!


Mix about a 50% dispersion of whole milk in a quart of water. Using a
soft cloth or paper towel, wipe the leaf surfaces with the dispersion.


Similar to the milk above, dilute mayonnaise with water to form a thin
paste. Again, apply using a soft cloth or paper towel, being sure that you
wipe off as much of the paste as you can.




If you like "going natural," but don't want to bother making up your
own stuff, I have formulated a great spray - Rise & Shine™ - that is a great
leaf cleaner and shine. Go to "The Store" to see more.



Personally, I recommend Rise & Shine, as it's a cleaner, disinfectant and
insecticide.
--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"Laura Hindman" wrote in message
...

How can I remove water spots on my orchid leaves? Our well water runs
through limestone and therefore leaves white deposits on the leaves
when the water dries. Now the leaves are starting to look dull and
somewhat unsitely.
Any suggestions?




--
Laura Hindman

"Laura Hindman" wrote in message
...

How can I remove water spots on my orchid leaves? Our well water runs
through limestone and therefore leaves white deposits on the leaves
when the water dries. Now the leaves are starting to look dull and
somewhat unsitely.
Any suggestions?

Same thing happens here. I bought an inexpensive "leaf shine" product and
it works well.... but as soon as I mist them the dullness is right back.





--
Laura Hindman

I had the same problems. I finally started collecting rain water to water my
plants.

I used lemon juice to clean up my plants.


"Laura Hindman" wrote in message
...

How can I remove water spots on my orchid leaves? Our well water runs
through limestone and therefore leaves white deposits on the leaves
when the water dries. Now the leaves are starting to look dull and
somewhat unsitely.
Any suggestions?




--
Laura Hindman

I'm with Ray and Mark. Citrus works like magic.

Diana

"Mark_OK" wrote in message
et...
I had the same problems. I finally started collecting rain water to water
my plants.

I used lemon juice to clean up my plants.


"Laura Hindman" wrote in
message ...

How can I remove water spots on my orchid leaves? Our well water runs
through limestone and therefore leaves white deposits on the leaves
when the water dries. Now the leaves are starting to look dull and
somewhat unsitely.
Any suggestions?




--
Laura Hindman

You are all going to croak, but I use LimeAway, the same as for cleaning my
sink.

Paul
"Laura Hindman" wrote in message
...

How can I remove water spots on my orchid leaves? Our well water runs
through limestone and therefore leaves white deposits on the leaves
when the water dries. Now the leaves are starting to look dull and
somewhat unsitely.
Any suggestions?




--
Laura Hindman

On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:09:51 -0800, "Paul Simon"
wrote:

You are all going to croak, but I use LimeAway, the same as for cleaning my
sink.

Paul

Full strength? Or a dilution?
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

Full strength and then wipe with a wet paper towel. I don't think it's
really a strong acid but complexes the calcium. Your mileage may vary, as
they say. Any comments Ray?

Paul
"SuE" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:09:51 -0800, "Paul Simon"
wrote:

You are all going to croak, but I use LimeAway, the same as for cleaning
my
sink.

Paul

Full strength? Or a dilution?
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

I have no experience with it, so cannot comment.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"Paul Simon" wrote in message
...
Full strength and then wipe with a wet paper towel. I don't think it's
really a strong acid but complexes the calcium. Your mileage may vary, as
they say. Any comments Ray?

Paul
"SuE" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:09:51 -0800, "Paul Simon"
wrote:

You are all going to croak, but I use LimeAway, the same as for cleaning
my
sink.

Paul

Full strength? Or a dilution?
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

Citrus works, so does milk, but it's a lot of work (and requires a rinse --
otherwise, the milk will stink and both will draw ants).

Never tried Ray's product, but most leaf-shines don't really remove the
spots, they just hide them and gradually wear off.

Kenni

"Ray B" wrote in message
news:g_C1j.6935$ht1.4700@trndny01...
From my "Home Remedies" page:

If you live in an area where the water has a fair amount of dissolved
minerals, or if you mist with a fertilizer solution, the leaves of your
plants can become dull in appearance. Folks may warn you that these
treatments can clog the pores (stomata) on the leaves, but I've never seen
a problem.


Pineapple juice, or any citrus juice (lemon, lime, orange), when
rubbed onto the leaves with a soft cloth or paper towel will also remove
such deposits so your leaves will be nice and shiny. I suppose the
acidity reacts with the mostly alkaline deposits. (Thanks to CJ
Maciejeski)


Reka reports that stale beer may also be used for shining up leaves,
although we're both at a loss for how to get stale beer, as it never gets
that way around our houses!


Mix about a 50% dispersion of whole milk in a quart of water. Using a
soft cloth or paper towel, wipe the leaf surfaces with the dispersion.


Similar to the milk above, dilute mayonnaise with water to form a thin
paste. Again, apply using a soft cloth or paper towel, being sure that
you wipe off as much of the paste as you can.




If you like "going natural," but don't want to bother making up your
own stuff, I have formulated a great spray - Rise & ShineT - that is a
great leaf cleaner and shine. Go to "The Store" to see more.



Personally, I recommend Rise & Shine, as it's a cleaner, disinfectant and
insecticide.
--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"Laura Hindman" wrote in
message ...

How can I remove water spots on my orchid leaves? Our well water runs
through limestone and therefore leaves white deposits on the leaves
when the water dries. Now the leaves are starting to look dull and
somewhat unsitely.
Any suggestions?




--
Laura Hindman