Orchids are fairly easy to care for, but since they begin growing more in autumn, it’s important to give them the right nutrients to prepare for the colder months. September is when many plants slow down their growth and will eventually become dormant later on in the year, which means most houseplants do not need to be fertilised.
However, the lower temperatures are when most orchids houseplants actually begin forming their flower spikes, and will bloom in late autumn if they are fed properly now. The experts at Heavenly Orchids have shared keeping orchids healthy and flowering is very easy, as you just need to water them with some eggshell leftovers.
They said: “Eggshells are rich in calcium, which strengthens orchid cell walls and promotes healthy growth. Used as part of an organic orchid fertilizer regimen, eggshells can help support stronger roots and stems.”
Calcium is a micronutrient that helps keep orchid foliage strong, so the stems will be much more resilient once winter arrives and be strong enough to support bigger flowers.
It is incredibly important that orchids have enough calcium when they are forming their delicate flower spikes as it will help the plant grow bigger and healthier blooms.
Eggshells are a natural way to gently feed orchids at a vulnerable time of their growth, and will help make it more likely you get stronger, bigger and longer-lasting flowers in autumn.
How to make a natural eggshell feed for orchids
One of the best ways to use eggshells is to make them in a tea for orchids, which simply means to steep them in water before using them. You will need two eggs per orchid houseplant.
All you need to do is wash out any leftover eggshells to get rid of any leftover raw egg, otherwise it can attract insects or mould.
When the eggshells are clean, place them on a tray and leave them next to a window to dry out. Alternatively, you can put them in the oven for a few minutes until they are hard and crumbly.
Then, simply put the eggshells in a sandwich bag and bash them with a rolling pin to grind them up.
You need crushed up eggshells as they smaller particles will release nutrients more slowly rather than all at once, otherwise you can risk overfertilising an orchid.
Place the crushed up eggshells in a jar, and fill it with water. Screw on the lid and leave the eggshell tea alone for a few days or up to one week.
Once the time is up, you are ready to water your orchids. Use a sieve to get rid of any leftover egg, and then mix one part of the eggshell water with one part clean tap water.
Pour the water on the orchid soil, and feed your houseplant this mixture once a month throughout the autumn for a burst of blooms later on in the season.