Can You Clean Phalaenopsis Leaves in High Temperatures? Here's the Best Way to Wash the Leaves

The weather has been getting hotter and hotter lately, and quite a bit of dust has settled on the Phalaenopsis leaves at home. Many flower lovers are worrying: can we take advantage of the high temperatures to clean the leaves? How should we wash them without harming these delicate flowers?

Phalaenopsis is a delicate tropical plant, and it easily suffers heatstroke above 30°C. If you wipe the leaves with water at noon under 35°C heat, the water droplets act like tiny magnifying glasses, and as soon as sunlight hits them, the leaves can get scorched in moments, leaving ugly burnt spots. What's more, in a hot and humid environment, bacteria multiply extremely fast. If the freshly wiped leaves aren't dried in time and water collects in the leaf center, they can rot right before your eyes! So if you want to clean the leaves, be sure to avoid the hot hours and choose a time before 10 in the morning or in the cool of the evening, when the temperature is no higher than 28°C and the leaves are less likely to have problems.

So what is really the best way to clean Phalaenopsis leaves? The method should depend on how dirty the leaves are! If it's just a thin layer of floating dust, the simplest way is to use a clean soft-bristle brush, such as an old makeup brush or a child's toothbrush, and gently brush along the leaf veins. Remember to be very gentle, because Phalaenopsis leaves are thin and brittle and can be scratched if you press too hard. When brushing, don't just brush the front side; take care of the back side too. If the stomata on the back are blocked, the flower can't breathe properly and is prone to disease.

What if the leaves are so dirty that a brush alone won't do the job? Then you'll need to wipe them with water. Prepare a basin of room-temperature water, but don't use freshly drawn tap water; it's best to let it sit for a day or two so the chlorine in the water evaporates. Then take a clean soft cloth or cotton ball, dip it in the water, and gently wipe the leaves. After wiping, don't rush to put the Phalaenopsis back in its original spot; find a well-ventilated place with bright, indirect light and let the moisture on the leaves dry as quickly as possible. If you're worried about water collecting in the leaf center, you can roll a paper towel into a small strip and gently dab up the water droplets in the leaf center.

There's also an advanced little trick 1:100 

Finally, a reminder to everyone: while cleaning the leaves, also check for pests and diseases. If you find white powder, small black spots on the leaves, or small insects on the back of the leaves, isolate and treat them right away. With a little extra care, you can be sure to bring your Phalaenopsis back to its full glory!