Among the plants most loved for their beauty: the orchid.
When we talk about orchids we are actually referring to a family that includes many varieties.
The most widespread and the one most frequently found in our homes is the phalaenopsis orchid.
After the cold months, this plant prepares for vegetative growth.
But how to take better care of it, giving it everything it needs to bloom abundantly?
Simple: with a good natural fertilizer.
Let’s find out together how to prepare fertilizers for our orchids yourself in a practical, fast and, above all, natural way.
Attention : Do you have doubts or perplexities? Contact your trusted florist or gardener who will be able to help you with the right advice.
Banana peels
Surely the most famous natural fertilizer for orchids is given by banana peels , full of potassium that stimulate flowering.
We have more ways, however, to prepare a fertilizer with this ingredient.
Banana maceration
The first method is perhaps the simplest. You have to take a banana peel, wash it and cut it into small pieces.
Then, put them in a bowl with 2 L of water to macerate for about 48 hours.
At the end of this period, filter the mixture.
The liquid obtained will have absorbed all the nutrients from the banana peel: you can use it as irrigation water for your orchids.
Banana tea
Take a banana peel and cut it into small pieces. Then, place them on a cutting board and expose them to direct sunlight for about 48 hours: you will notice that the skin is drying out, becoming harder.
At this point, put the peels in the blender : you will thus get a powdered mixture .
Use one teaspoon, pouring it into about 200 ml of hot water.
Then let it cool.
The tea obtained, once cold, must be poured into the soil of your orchid : the plant will thank you!
Banana powder
This method is also very practical. In this case, after drying the banana peels in the sun, they should be put in the oven at 70 °C until they are completely dry.
At this point, take them out of the oven and reduce them to powder.
The powder is dispersed as fertilizer on the soil surface .
Ash
Did you set the ashes of the fireplace aside during the winter ? Good idea! In fact, you can use it as fertilizer.
Ideally, you should spread it in your orchid’s soil .
Obviously do it after watering, otherwise the water will cancel the effect.
Ash is rich in natural ingredients. However, it lacks nitrogen and phosphorus, so you will need to supplement with other fertilizers.
Cooking water
An excellent natural fertilizer that you can prepare… for every meal!
You simply have to use the cooking water from the vegetables to water your plants.
In fact, during cooking, these foods release a lot of nutrients into the water.
However, be careful never to use salt water, otherwise, you will kill your orchid!
eggshells
A natural fertilizer rich in minerals and easy to obtain: eggshells.
All you need to do is take small pieces of eggshell and sprinkle them on the ground around your orchid.
Before long, the soil will absorb the nutrients from the husks, making the plant thrive more than ever.
When to use these natural fertilizers?
These natural fertilizers should be used very carefully. Using them too often could damage your orchid.
In the winter months, fertilize at least once a month.
When the plant is coming out of its vegetative resting period , fertilize twice in accordance with the waterings.
One secret is to start fertilizing more often when new shoots are about to develop.