If you have orchids in your home, you probably want them to bloom profusely and for a long time. These wonderful plants are known for their splendid flowers, which they bear on their stems for 3-6 months. To take full advantage of this phenomenon, you need to properly care for, fertilize, and irrigate your orchids.
The Best Orchid Fertilizer – Rice Water!
Rice water may come as a surprise, but it is actually an excellent natural fertilizer for orchids. It’s easy to make and provides the necessary nutrients for your plants to thrive. Here’s how you can do it:
YOU WILL NEED:
- 5 tablespoons of white rice
- Stagnant water
PROCEDURE:
- Place the rice in a small bowl.
- Pour room temperature water over it until the water level in the bowl is 5-6 cm.
- Wash the rice in water with your hands as if preparing it for cooking.
- Strain the rice water.
- Place your orchid in a small bowl and pour the rice water over its substrate. Let it hydrate and feed on the nutrients in the rice for about 60 minutes.
- Optionally, you can freeze the resulting water after the first washing of the rice that you are going to cook – in ice molds. Afterward, take out some ice cubes and let them thaw until the water warms up to room temperature. Then, fertilize the orchid with it. Remember not to apply frozen water directly to the substrate, as orchids do not like the cold!
- Fertilize your orchids with rice water once every 14 days.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your orchids receive the nourishment they need to bloom beautifully. Now you can enjoy their stunning flowers for an extended period of time!
Happy gardening!
