DIY plant/leaf shine/cleaner
by
Karen
+9
I have a Hoya plant (thick,shiny leaves) that I put outside for the summer. We use our well water for watering which has a lot of minerals it and now my Hoya leaves have "water spots." I'm bringing the plant in for winter and I'd like to clean off the leaves. Any ideas? Wiping off with a damp rag doesn't remove the spots. I really want to try some coconut oil. Call me crazy but it's supposed to be good for everything!?
7 answers
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I wouldn't use anything but plain water on a rag. Oils and mayo and such can block the pores in the leaves.
AvonelleRed
on Nov 08, 2014
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If the spots are just on the surface of the leaves you might try a diluted vinegar solution and then rinse with water. If they are spots of actual damage then nothing is going to remove them. My mom used to "shine" the leaves of her houseplants (the ones with very smooth/waxy surfaces like philodendron) with skim milk mixed half and half with water and just use a rag or paper towel damp with this to wipe off any dust. The plants thrived so doubt it did them any damage.....the stomata (pores) on most leaves are on the underside.
Dorothy
on Nov 09, 2014
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Avonelle's advice is correct. I think it's better to live with the spots than to risk suffocating the plant.
Douglas Hunt
on Nov 09, 2014
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It's a tough decision since the Hoya leaves don't fall off for a Very long time. I grew up with my mom's Hoya in the living room and remember it quite well. It's tough finding another. I have a smaller leafed Hoya that blooms with the pink rather than the red and it isn't as fragrant and doesn't drop the nectar. I miss the taste of the big Hoya's nectar! That and watching the vine move about with the sun.! A side note is that my family used to drive through Fallon (and look for the "castle on the hill" to visit my grandmother in Eureka, UT. We lived in the Sonora CA area and took Sonora Pass every year from when I was 8 until I was 16. Waaaaay back in the 60's! I now live on the coast of Washington. There are some leaf cleaners in some of the home DIY stores if you absolutely cannot stand the spots! With our well water, I water very carefully!
Meem Kaplan
on Nov 09, 2014
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They do make a commercial leaf shine spray....not sure where I got mine but I use it and have no problems with it. Try Walmart!
Sarah Tait
on Nov 09, 2014
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I wash my plants with cotton dipped in milk.They shine like glass
Bernie Runk
on Nov 09, 2014
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Clean leaves with cotton ball dipped in milk
Marci
on Nov 24, 2014
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