Orchids, with their exquisite blooms that can last for months, are a breathtaking addition to any home. These splendid specimens typically flower annually, with their blossoms enduring for about three months.
With attentive nurturing, one can prolong the flowering time and stimulate more regular blooming. Gardening expert LeAnne Samuelson from Prestige Botanicals has explained a straightforward homemade fertiliser recipe that promises to enhance your orchids’ flowering “like never before”.
LeAnne said that the secret to extended blooming periods for orchids was in repurposing kitchen waste you’d normally throw away. This ingenious and cost-effective tactic can revitalise your orchid, ensuring it remains in prime condition.
“Orchids do require a bit of rest during their ‘down time,’ but with a few kitchen cupboard secrets, you can boost their growth if you feel your plant care hasn’t been up to scratch,” she said.
For those orchids in need of a boost, LeAnne suggests a budget-friendly and easily accessible solution: used leftover brewed coffee. The magic of coffee in promoting robust orchid growth is attributed to its inherent nitrogen content.
Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for plants, playing a key role in encouraging robust plant growth and lush foliage. By incorporating coffee into your homemade orchid fertiliser, you can supply this vital nutrient without the additional cost of shop-bought fertilisers.
How to make your orchid’s favourite fertiliser from kitchen scrap
To prepare the homemade fertiliser, combine one part brewed black coffee, four parts water, and one tablespoon of cider vinegar. LeAnne recommends blending these ingredients and using the mixture as a replacement for one of your regular watering sessions.
“Feed this mixture to your orchid once a month, and store the remaining fertiliser in a sealed container in a cool cupboard. This homemade fertiliser will give your orchid a boost of nitrogen, helping it grow and bloom more effectively,” she advised.
However, while coffee can be a fantastic source of nutrients for your orchid, LeAnne also warns against overuse. Coffee is mildly acidic and, although this can benefit many plants, excessive use could be detrimental.
“Always start with a light dose when using homemade fertilisers,” she said. “Sometimes your orchid just needs a little rest to bounce back. If you overfeed, look out for signs such as a white crust on the bark in the pot, leaf tips dying off, or roots turning black. These are all signs of over-fertilisation.”
Besides coffee, banana peels are another household item that can boost the health of your orchids. These peels are packed with potassium and phosphorus, making them an excellent organic fertiliser.
“Bananas have plenty of potassium, which helps orchids absorb more CO2, improve drought resistance, and activate growth-related enzymes,” LeAnne explained.
To utilise banana peels as fertiliser, just blend the peel into a puree and apply it to the soil surrounding your orchid. “Feed your orchid with the banana puree every few weeks to help encourage new growth,” LeAnne advised.