Orchids are highly appreciated and very popular flowers. Delicate, original and colorful, they brighten your interiors and give a unique and decorative touch to your homes. However, they are known to be quite complicated to grow, maintain and store. So how do you keep them alive as long as possible and make them bloom all year round?
How to maintain and care for the orchid flower?
To promote the flowering of orchids , it is above all necessary to water your plants regularly . Moisture in the soil helps prolong its flowering period and duration. They need to be watered once a week and no more than once every two weeks in winter .
It is also essential that they receive the right amount of sunlight , without facing too much exposure. These houseplants do not tolerate direct sunlight, so you have to be careful with light baths, while also providing them with enough light for them to bloom.
Like all plants, orchids have specific needs to be able to last over time. There are several fertilizers on the market, but they are often composed of chemicals that can be toxic in the long term to both your flowers and your health. Nothing better than natural fertilizers to get the job done! Inexpensive, you can make them yourself at home with ingredients you probably already have at home! This will allow you to do good for the planet, while preserving your wallet!
How to make fertilizer to induce and promote the flowering and growth of an orchid?
To allow your orchids to bloom fully , it is essential to fertilize them very regularly . For this, there is nothing better than a natural fertilizer, simply prepared at home. Here are some that won’t require too much effort and are easy to make from home.
How to make orchids bloom all year round with the rice water trick?
Potassium, iron, silicon and phosphorus are components that generously help orchids to grow well. We can find all these elements in a single ingredient: rice water .
To use it correctly, simply follow these steps :
- Add the equivalent of 10 grams of rice to a liter of hot water
- Let it marinate for an hour.
- Drain the rice , filter the water and let it cool.
- Pour the resulting liquid into a bottle.
- All you have to do is water your plants with it!
You should use this mixture once every four waterings . You will notice the difference and the evolution of your orchids after several days .
How to preserve an orchid with the Epsom salt trick?
Another trick is also very effective for the growth and conservation of orchids. The use of Epsom salt . Salt helps nourish the soil in the pot, which will allow the orchid to grow faster , but also to bloom majestically. You will end up with magnificent flowers, even prettier than usual.
Composed of hydrated magnesium sulfate , Epsom salt allows plants to better assimilate essential nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus , thus stimulating their flowering. It also allows the formation of chlorophyll which is essential for photosynthesis.
But how to use this ingredient you ask me? That is how:
- Add a teaspoon of salt to a liter of water
- Pour the mixture obtained over your plants
- Repeat this trick once a week.
How to bloom again and allow a withered orchid to resprout?
Generally, orchids bloom once a year , mainly in spring. To promote growth, we recommend completely cutting the stems that have produced flowers once flowering is complete . Your plant will then be able to produce new stems and will be adorned with even prettier flowers than before! This first bloom can last for weeks!
To trigger a second bloom on the same stem, after the last wilted flower has fallen, follow this method:
- Cut your stem above the second node.
- Place your plant in a cool location . The ideal temperature should be around 15ºC.
- And let your orchid rest in this room for about twenty days, between 3 and 4 weeks.
You’ll see, your orchid will bloom again for the second time this year and new buds will appear!