How to improve the growth and flowering of an orchid: two products will be needed

Orchids are one of the most demanding indoor plants. In the wild, they grow in tropical rainforests where high humidity, diffused light, and certain temperature conditions prevail. It is usually not easy to create such conditions at home.

Orchids bloom for several months and then every 8-12 months. However, there are some ways to speed up their re-flowering, experts said.

Banana fertilization

Watering and fertilizing play a huge role when it comes to encouraging a houseplant to re-bloom.

Florists use banana peels as a natural fertilizer for orchids because banana is rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and other trace elements that are essential for healthy growth and abundant flowering.

You can prepare an infusion by soaking the peel of fresh bananas in water for 48 hours and then diluting it with water in a 1:4 ratio. Alternatively, you can dry the banana peel, grind it into powder and add it to the substrate.

Benefits of banana fertilization:

• it is a natural organic fertilizer that does not harm the environment;
• banana peel contains the optimal ratio of nutrients for orchids;
• potassium promotes flower budding and abundant flowering.

Rice water

Rice water is rich in trace elements such as potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, which are essential for the healthy development of the root system, strong stems, and bright flowers.

Rice water contains a lot of nitrogen and is an excellent organic home fertilizer.

It is easy to prepare the fertilizer:

• soak any type of rice in water for 30 minutes;
• strain the water into a bottle or jar and leave it to stand for a week;
• keep the solution out of direct sunlight and let it breathe by tightening the lid on the bottle or covering it with a cloth to allow air flow;

• keep an eye on the rice water to make sure it is free of mold;
• after a week, dilute the solution with an equal amount of water and spray the roots and leaves.

Fertilizing with rice water also acts as an effective insecticide for indoor plants, which is important during the winter months.

Why rice water is good for orchids

Rice water contains B vitamins, which help to strengthen the plant's immune system. The starch left over from rice is a natural fertilizer that feeds beneficial bacteria in the soil.

This fertilizer has a slightly acidic reaction, which is optimal for most orchid species.

Rice water is the easiest and cheapest way to feed plants.

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