Gardening experts share DIY fertilizer tips to help houseplant orchids bloom at their best this summer.
Orchids are a beautiful addition to any home, producing stunning flowers that can last for months if properly fertilized. Orchids bloom once a year and last for three months, but they require careful care to stay in bloom, reports Express.
Gardening enthusiast Michael Perry, also known as “Mr Plant Geek,” suggested that a homemade fertilizer will help orchids bloom to the fullest.
He said: “Sure, when your orchid is in its 'resting period', you just need to let it rest. But if you feel like you're not giving it enough care, here are some tricks you can use to help it thrive!”
Michael suggests using leftover brewed coffee as a homemade fertilizer for your blooming orchids, as the coffee provides the flowers with nitrogen, an essential nutrient for healthy, thriving plants.
All you need is a cup of freshly brewed coffee, four cups of water and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar – the bottle of coffee can be bought from Tesco for £1.99 and the apple cider vinegar for £2 from Sainsbury's – and the water is free to flow from the tap.
Michael said: “Just mix up this little potion and give it to your plant once a month in place of your usual watering. Store it in an airtight container in the cupboard between waterings. This homemade fertiliser will replenish your orchid with nitrogen and help stimulate new growth.”
Experts warned that although coffee is slightly acidic and may be beneficial to plants, it is important to avoid consuming too much of it as it can be harmful if consumed in excess.
He adds: “Always try homemade fertiliser in small doses at first. Sometimes a short rest is all that is needed for your orchid to resume growth.”
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Homemade fertilizer provides the nutrients your plants need to thrive, but too much fertilizer can show signs like white lumps on the bark of the pot, dead leaf tips, and black roots.
Banana peels also make a great fertilizer for orchids because they are rich in phosphorus and potassium, which provide highly beneficial nutrients to your plants.
To nourish your orchid's roots, simply mix some banana peels into a puree and pour it over the soil. Michael adds: “Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps plants absorb more carbon dioxide, improves drought tolerance and activates enzymes related to growth. Feed your orchid with this puree once every few weeks.”
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