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
Orchids are relatively straightforward to maintain but as they start flourishing more during autumn, it’s crucial to provide them with proper nourishment to ready them for the chillier period ahead.
September marks the time when numerous plants slow their growth and will eventually enter dormancy later in the year, meaning most indoor plants don’t require fertilising.
Nevertheless, the cooler temperatures are precisely when most orchid houseplants actually start developing their flower spikes, and will blossom in late autumn if they receive adequate feeding right now.
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The specialists at Heavenly Orchids have revealed that maintaining orchids in good health and encouraging flowering is remarkably straightforward, as you simply need to water them with some leftover eggshell remnants.
They explained: “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.”, reports the Express.
Calcium serves as a micronutrient that helps maintain robust orchid foliage, ensuring the stems will be far more durable once winter sets in and possess sufficient strength to bear larger blooms.
It’s absolutely vital that orchids receive adequate calcium whilst they’re developing their fragile flower spikes, as this will assist the plant in producing larger and healthier blossoms.
Eggshells offer a natural method to gently nourish orchids during a delicate phase of their development, and will enhance the likelihood of achieving stronger, larger and more enduring flowers in autumn.
How to create a natural eggshell feed for orchids One of the top methods to utilise eggshells is to brew them into a tea for orchids, which simply involves steeping them in water prior to use. You’ll require two eggs per orchid houseplant.
The process begins by rinsing out any remaining eggshells to eliminate any residual raw egg, as this can attract insects or mould.
Once the eggshells are clean, position them on a tray and leave them next to a window to dry out. Alternatively, you can pop them in the oven for a few minutes until they become hard and crumbly.
Next, place the eggshells in a sandwich bag and bash them with a rolling pin to grind them up.
Crushed eggshells are necessary as their smaller particles will release nutrients more gradually rather than all at once, otherwise, you risk overfertilising an orchid.
Put the crushed eggshells in a jar, and fill it with water. Screw on the lid and let the eggshell tea sit undisturbed for a few days or up to one week.
When the time is up, you’re ready to water your orchids. Use a sieve to remove any leftover egg, and then mix one part of the eggshell water with one part clean tap water.
Pour the water onto the orchid soil, and feed your houseplant this mixture once a month throughout the autumn for a burst of blooms later in the season.
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