Have you ever found your orchid plants or flowers in less-than-optimal conditions, especially during the summer, despite your best efforts and consistency? Don’t worry; this is quite normal. As living organisms, orchids require the right nutrients to initiate essential processes for rapid growth, lush leaves, roots, and vibrant flowers.
Although the soil may not always possess the necessary biochemical characteristics for these processes, fertilizers can come to our aid. However, finding high-quality orchid fertilizer everywhere can be challenging and involves periodic expenses and the inconvenience of handling heavy bags.
Here’s a clever trick with significant potential that allows you to repurpose food scraps that would otherwise end up in the waste bin.
All you need are some very ripe bananas, water, and a stove. Bananas are rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, making them a veritable panacea for plants.
Follow these simple steps to create your natural fertilizer:
- Cut ripe bananas into rough slices.
- Weigh 100 grams of bananas and place them in a saucepan with a liter of water.
- Bring the water to a boil and simmer on low heat for 40 minutes.
- Allow the saucepan and its contents to cool completely.
While preparing the fertilizer, water the orchids slightly to enhance root strength, ensure wonderful flowering, and promote vibrant and resilient leaves with intense colors.
For optimal plant health, consider the timing of watering. The best times, especially in summer, are early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the air is cooler.
Take a small amount of the liquid from the saucepan immediately to assist the orchid. Blend the remaining liquid with the peeled banana slices to create an ecological and natural fertilizer.
Use the freshly prepared fertilizer, diluted in a 4:1 ratio (water/fertilizer), whenever needed. Store the undiluted portion in a closed jar in the refrigerator. This eco-friendly and straightforward solution provides a quick and practical way to fertilize orchids effectively.