Flower and plant leaves are dusty, how should plant leaves be cleaned?
Potted plants, especially foliage plants with broad leaves, always tend to attract dust during placement. On one hand, dust blocks the stomata on the leaves, preventing the plant from absorbing moisture and oxygen from the air or releasing excess moisture from inside to the outside;
on the other hand, dust also makes potted plants look dull and dusty, and after spraying with water they become even more stained and blotchy, looking very unattractive.
Therefore, in daily care, it is not only necessary to remove pests and diseases from potted plants but also to remove dust in a timely manner. Only in this way can the green natural space show its elegant presence, and it is also greatly beneficial for purifying indoor air.
>>>>1. Time for cleaning leaves
The time for cleaning leaves is in the morning, so that the leaves have enough time to dry before nightfall, avoiding the leaves being in a damp environment for a period of time due to the lack of sunlight and lower temperatures at night.
>>>>2. Methods for cleaning leaves
Spraying method
Use the impact force of the water stream from a sprayer to wash the dust off the leaves.
Wiping method
Use a sponge or cotton cloth dipped in water to repeatedly and gently wipe the dust and dirt off the leaves.
Soft brush method
Use a soft-bristled brush to brush the dust off the leaves.
>>>>Precautions
The first two methods are not suitable for cacti, succulents, and plants with fuzzy leaves. Once the leaves are wet, it is very difficult for the moisture to evaporate, and even wiping off the water with a dry cloth cannot guarantee that they will dry within a certain period of time.
Also, some flower buds that are afraid of water, such as the flower buds in the leaf rosette of the African daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) and the pseudobulbs in the leaf rosette of the clivia (Clivia miniata), should not be exposed to water, especially during the germination and bud stages, as contact with water will affect the flower's development.
>>>>Temperature requirements
In addition, do not spray water directly onto the flowers. Flowers are prone to rot and wilting when exposed to water, and it can also lead to poor fertilization, affecting flowering and fruiting. Spraying water on the leaves of potted flowers such as pomegranate, crabapple, fuchsia, and crape myrtle can cause excessive growth of branches and leaves, so the latter two cleaning methods are recommended.