How to clean and care for flower leaves? Practical methods shared

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 plants from absorbing water and oxygen from the air or evaporating excess water from their bodies to the outside; on the other hand, dust also makes potted plants look dusty and drab, and after spraying water they become even more stained and unsightly. Therefore, in daily care, not only should potted plants be dewormed and treated for diseases, but dust should also be removed promptly. Only in this way can the green natural space display its elegant charm, which 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 sufficient time to dry before nightfall, avoiding the leaves being in a moist environment for a period of time due to 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 dust off the leaves.

Wiping method: use a water-dampened sponge or cotton cloth to repeatedly and gently wipe dust and dirt off the leaves.

Brush method: use a soft-bristled brush to brush dust off the leaves.

Note: The first two methods are not suitable for cacti, succulents, and plants with fuzzy leaves. Once leaves with fuzz are wet, it is very difficult for them to evaporate the water, and even wiping off the water with a dry cloth cannot guarantee that they will dry within a certain period of time. Some flower buds that are afraid of water, such as the flower buds in the leaf clusters of Gerbera jamesonii (African daisy) and the pseudobulbs in the leaf clusters of Clivia miniata (clivia), should also not get wet, especially during the budding and bud-setting stages, as contact with water will affect the development of the flowers.

In addition, do not spray water directly onto the flowers. Flowers that come into contact with water are prone to rot and withering, and it can also cause poor fertilization, affecting flowering and fruiting. For potted flowers such as pomegranate, Malus spectabilis (Chinese crabapple), Fuchsia hybrida (fuchsia), and Lagerstroemia indica (crape myrtle), spraying water on the leaves can cause excessive growth of branches and leaves, so the latter two cleaning methods are recommended.