Dusty Christmas cactus

by Linda

+12

Answered

I recently had some drywall work done in a room we tried to seal off. Dry wall plaster dust escaped the room and found my Christmas cactus in the next room. What should I clean it with? The leaf segments are rather fragile to wipe each off without breaking them.

11 answers

EdiLeck on May 07, 2015
Is it small enough that you can easily move it? I regularly take mine from the window to the bathroom for a nice shower! Spray it off then leave it in the shower until it's dry.

Helpful Reply
Sharon Cocanougher on May 07, 2015
water does a great job on all plants. Good Luck.

Helpful Reply
Darla on May 07, 2015
Maybe you could blow the dust off with canned air used to blow dust off keyboards.

Helpful Reply
- See 1 previous
- Linda on May 07, 2015
  I tried water on it once before and it left the leaves water spotted but if I take all your suggestions, hummm, I think I will try to blow most dust off with canned air tben wash the plant with water, tben blow most water off with the canned air again. This might work! Thanks!
  
  Helpful
- Lisa Lesley-Shoemate on Aug 16, 2024
  
  Canned air gets a little cold.......
  
  Helpful
Gale on May 07, 2015
I just cleaned my christmas cactus,I USED THE GARDEN HOSE IN THE FINE MIST ALL CLEAN. HOPE THIS HELPS.

Helpful Reply
- Linda on May 07, 2015
  If my dust was just dust.....but it is plaster dust. Still think I'll take the hose to it and hope it doesn't turn to drywall mud and encase the plant! Just kidding.
  
  Helpful

Julie Flynn on May 08, 2015
How about a hair dryer, set on low, cool air. Cover the pot and soil .

Helpful Reply
- Linda on May 08, 2015
  Good idea Julie
  
  Helpful
Tim Baker on May 08, 2015
I have cactus also very big but am able to take outside and rinse with garden hose

Helpful Reply
Doreen Lytle on Apr 04, 2016
I tried cleaning mine by spraying is with water and it got what looked like burn spots on some of the leaves.

Helpful Reply
Rita Lineberry Vichinsky on Mar 12, 2018

Spray with warm water only to avoid water spots on leaves

Helpful Reply
Linda on Mar 12, 2018

Have never heard this. Will try, thanks.

Helpful Reply

Gordon Ober on Apr 30, 2019

I use one oz, of Dawn dishwashing soap in a gallon of water to spray my tomato plants for bugs and it does not hurt the plants, maybe you could try it on a small cactus then spray it off with just water

Helpful Reply
Johnavallance82 on Aug 17, 2024

Put some cold water and a drop of washing up liquid into a container, stir but don't shake. place cactus in a bowl to catch the mixture and start pouring it over the cactus until you feel it is free of dust, then pour over fresh water and leave to drain and dry.

Helpful Reply

Related Discussions

GNATS - How to get rid of them?

Gina Garbo Answered on Jul 25, 2024

Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more

129

See Answers

Growing garlic

Decor&Dine Answered on Jul 31, 2024

Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.

See Answers

Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?

Dianne King Answered 2 days ago

My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?

See Answers

How to keep mice out of your garden?

Debra Answered on May 20, 2024

Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more

See Answers