I was told that when I started with orchids and have used it for 13 years. Skim milk is recommended and you are right, the books don't talk about it.

Nick

I used to clean my Mother's plants with milk to make them shine. I am so old we didn't have books back then - printing presses hadn't been invented. Our cows only knew how to produce whole milk so I used it - we hadn't invented skim milk yet either :>)

Brooke

This summer I was doing some research on Powdery Mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) and how to treat it on squash and cucumber plants in the garden. I came across several studies that had been done comparing the effectiveness of a milk spray to commercially available fungicides. The milk spray was as effective if not more effective than the fungicides. I wonder if this could possibly transfer to orchids and some of the ailments they face? If I remember correctly the recommended doses were somewhere in the 1/2 - 1 cup milk per gallon of water.

Kevin

Thanks for the input,WOW I just thought I was a wacko for doing it, So there is are studies (kewl) I have used just staight fat free skim milk on a paper towel and wiped. I guess now that I have some feed back I might use it on my veggie garden if needed, give them a dose of calcium, Do you think the leaves absorb that? These forums are great, I don`t feel like I am floating in the dark, Thanks folks. Oh highjack life was simple (maybe harder) but you know more about organic gardening and plant husbandry than any of us newbies.

Deanna

FYI, the lactic acid also dissolves the white film some people call 'hard water residue' which is mostly (I think) calcium.
We use milk on our foliage before plants go to a show; it makes the plants look very good, and any kind of commercial 'leaf shine' product is absolutely forbidden at orchid shows.
Soymilk, strangely, has little effect.
Regards - Nancy

eyesofthewolfe

There are 67 pages of this and that only takes you back to April 2008. If you want to know ANYTHING about orchids type it in the search spot and all kinds of stuff posted by the so called experts who know anything and everything about orchids will come up. Some of it is actually useful information.

A friend of mine living down the street who has grown orchids for over 50 years, which is quite an accomplishment since he is only 49, never posts on the forum but goes to it all the time looking for info. He is a lurker.

Nick

Have used skim milk to make the leaves shine and remove the white spots before taking plants in for our orchid club show and tell table.
When my tomato plants had a fungus/wilt of some sort, I remember a using a tip from somehwere online that mixed milk with water and something else to spray.
Don't know why I didn't think of using it on orchids to battle the heavy rains after that. Think I will try it next rainy period.
Jan