Well draining soil, let it dry between waterings, not sure the safe temp range (my mom always had these in Upper Michigan when I was growing up, even when it was chilly they did ok), bright indirect light, repot in spring. I usually avoid leaf cleaners, maybe a shower and a damp rag. It's how I "clean" most of my plants. I don't grow this one currently, and am sure others with more info will be along shortly.

Are the spots from hard water droplets or is that powdery mildew?

I suggest warm soapy water and a soft wash cloth. If hard water stains, you might want to put a little vinegar in the wash water...3 or 4 tablespoons per full cup. Gently rub both sides of the leaflets, one by one. Rinse with bottled water.

If powdery mildew, that's a whole different matter. Put it in your car and return it.

It's from hard water droplets...

Thanks for the info.

Any others have any ideas?

Likes tons of sun, not consistently moist.

I call that store spots. I don't usually do anything, but let rain get rid of it. It may be too late in the year for that now, where you are. If you need to use a wiping method, cotton balls damp (not drippy) with rubbing alcohol should remove it. As said above, support each leaflet with your other hand, opened flat. It will take some pressure to get that off.

The spots look like the residue left behind after a preshipment application of fungicide, insecticide, or both, evaporated - very common.

What is the most effective, safe way to clean the leaves? The most effective way might not be the safest way. I'd use a soft cloth moistened with warm water and rinse it often. I'd also wear rubber gloves. What is the best soil? It's probably more productive to say, if you establish the delineation point between acceptable and unacceptable soils as pivotal on whether or not you can water plants in that soil properly, you'll be taking a big step toward making your plant growing efforts more productive and rewarding. If you can't water to beyond the saturation point (so you're flushing the soil when you water), it's difficult to argue against the suggestion the soil has inherent limitations that can be avoided by way of using a soil that doesn't have the built-in limitations. Using the ability to water correctly ass a minimum standard still leaves PLENTY of room for improvement and fine tuning. If you're interested in learning more, let me know. Understanding the concept that governs water retention in soils is probably the single largest step forward you can take as a container gardener. Best time to repot? The month before the most robust part of the growth cycle. For you, that's June. Try to remember Father's Day or the summer solstice as target dates for repotting and cutting back hard. Repot almost any time, but Repotting when the plant is growing strong is much better than at any other time in the growth cycle. Safe temp range? There is a difference between tolerance and preference. 70* into the low 80s is best for the plant. It will tolerate 60-65* for a while, but that's about the lowest point where the plant can break even, which means it's producing at least as much energy as it's using. Whenever a plant is using more energy than it can make (food), it's dying, which is why it can be said that "A plant that isn't growing is dying". ~ Alex Shigo PhD

Al

Everyone: thanks for the info. I keep it handy. Very kind of you.

I use a small micro fiber towel to tend to all my leaves. 'Little water and a gentle hand.

bielo83: I was thinking the same thing....I have a micro-fiber I'm using.

Tiffany: I used 70% rubbing alcohol. to clean the leaves. Not wet, just a moist cloth. I supported the leaf with one hand and cleaned with the other. The leaves and the plant seemed strong and had to problems with the way I handled it. About a week later now...and the leaves are falling off. They seem very weak. I barely touch them and they come off.

I wonder if the rubbing alcohol is having a bad effect.

I have another plant twice as big as this one. I found it at Lowes also. It has the same same "store spots". Perhaps I should use warm(soapy?) water and a gentle cloth this time?

Here are a couple of pics of the smaller cleaned plant:

And here is a close-up of the larger plant showing spotted and cleaned leaves.

I doubt if alcohol made the leaves fall off. That would more likely be insufficient light or water or both. I'd probably repot with fresh potting soil. Any plant I've ever gotten from Lowe's had potting soil where the water ran directly through it without even wetting the root ball of the plant. If you don't want to mess with repotting right now, make sure you have something under the plant to catch the water that runs through when you water it. Lowe's has clear plastic plant saucers. When you water, give it water until there's like an inch of water in the saucer. Leave the plant sitting in the water for 15 - 20 minutes to give it time to absorb as much water as it needs. Then dump out any water that's remaining in the saucer.

Deanna

Full strength (70% or stronger) isopropyl alcohol will probably strip the cuticular waxes from the epidermis, so I wouldn't be surprised if that was an issue. The pictures are really fuzzy, but the last one sure looks like something topical is in play and causing the problem (at least in the foliage shown in that shot).

Al

gardenfanatic:thanks for the advice. I will try that.

tapla: I was afraid of something like that. Sorry about the fuzzy pics. It's the best I can do while my camera is being repaired.

Will the leaves grow stronger? I hope so.

I grow orchids and show them. Before putting them in a show I always clean the leaves with whole milk. Taught to me by an old time grower.

Takes off the water spots and shines the leaves. Some people use mayonnaise but the milk works for me.

The plant will grow stronger if it gets good light. These plants grow in full sun as hedges in Florida. Tough plants but like to dry out between waterings.

Jane

tapla: thanks for the info. I buy quite a few, my wife says too many, plants from Lowe's and Walmart. Most of them have "store spots". I'll be cleaning them soon...

Easiest way I've found it to put the plant in the shower, lay an old towel over the soil to prevent back splash then spray veggie wash or diluted dish soap (soap, not detergent) on the plant then turn the shower on. The plant will benefit from the added humidity and the leaves will be much cleaner. When you have hundreds of plants this is the quickest and easiest way to clean leaves.

my plants have been dirtied by construction dust. I live in an arid climate. What is best to dilute with water; Citric acid or vinigar. It is a lot of plants and I cannot clean every individual leaf

Mix 1 part tapwater with 6 parts of tapwater and spray with high pressure fine mist from the garden hose; or, use a fine (1/2 gal/minute) or super-fine (1/4 gal/minute) FOGG-IT nozzle to spray away construction dust and any worries that accompany it. These nozzles are also useful for dislodging stubborn grow media from roots when performing a full repot.

Avoid using any detergents or surfactants as they can dissolve protective waxes in leaf cuticles, the job of which are to prevent moisture loss and prevent pathogen's entry into the plant. They can also destroy root lipid membranes should they manage to find their way into the grow medium.

Al

Mix 1 part tapwater with 6 parts of tapwater and spray with high pressure fine mist from the garden hose; or, use a fine (1/2 gal/minute) or super-fine (1/4 gal/minute) FOGG-IT nozzle to spray away construction dust and any worries that accompany it.

Does tap water leave limescale stains?

The dates of the previous posts are unknown, it just says "7 yrs ago" which could be any time of year. In retrospect, if it was fall, I wonder if the plant got a chill. Scheffs will drop leaves if they get a chill. And if the soil literally dries all the way, all of the leaves will hit the floor.

Michele, I just put mine outdoors in summer. Rain cleans it effectively.

Michele, I just put mine outdoors in summer. Rain cleans it effectively.

You are right. Unfortunately some people live in apartments and find it difficult to use the rain. I use water from air conditioners, but it's an hard work! :(