Orchids are a popular houseplant, but many people struggle to get them to bloom. However, one gardening expert has shared a simple hack to make your orchids bloom all year round
Orchids can brighten up any room in the home, and they can live up to 20 years if properly cared for.
In addition to sunlight and watering, these wonderful plants thrive with natural fertiliser and a specific spot near windowsills. The Royal Horticultural Society has confirmed these exotic beauties are at their best when flourishing near north or east-facing windows, producing stunning vibrant blooms.
The experts at RHS said: “They like regular watering and misting, preferably with rainwater or boiled water rather than tap water. Many need to be grown in bark-based orchid compost, rather than traditional houseplant compost.” Once you have these basics done correctly, the next step is to choose a good natural fertiliser.
According to the YouTube channel NGA Garden, you “just need some eggshells” to make an orchid “bloom all year round”. On the informative video, orchid lovers are told they will need “three eggshells” to begin with, reports the Express. This can be easy to come by if you have eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner, as you can just reserve the shells once you’ve cracked them open. “Roast [the eggshells] on medium heat for five minutes,” guides the green-thumbed guru from NGA Garden. “Let it cool down, put [the egg shells] into a small bag [like a ziplock bag] and crush it as small as possible.”
The expert added: “Put the [crushed eggshells] into a jar, pour in 500ml of water… let it rest [covered] for four hours.” After leaving it to sit, drain the solution through a sieve and funnel into a spray bottle, ready to use minus the eggshell remnants. This magical mist should not hit the flowers, but when sprayed elsewhere on the orchid, it could be just the ticket to promote hearty growth. The expert advised: “Gently wipe the orchid leaves,” and “Be sure to wipe the back [of the leaves too].”
As an alternative, the eggshell water can be applied directly to the orchid roots directly, ensuring good drainage. The expert cautioned against flooding the middle of the orchid to prevent damage. For optimal results, the expert suggested allowing the orchid to soak in the eggshell water for 20 minutes, once a month, to achieve stunning blooms throughout the year.
And according to the founder of Gardening Olivia, another good way to give your orchids a boost is using banana peels. The expert shared that this hack will help them bloom routinely rather than just once a year. She said: “Believe it or not, banana peels can be a terrific organic fertiliser to help your orchids bloom! Who would have thought that something we consider garbage has such great value for our plants?
“When I first heard this idea, I was sceptical too. But after trying it myself, I’m a believer. My orchids used to bloom so sporadically, maybe once or twice a year if I was lucky. But ever since switching to banana peels as a fertilizer, they bloom like clockwork several times a year.”
The reason banana peels are so beneficial is because they are brimming with potassium. This is an important nutrient that plants need to grow. It also improves disease resistance and helps the development of healthy roots and blossoming flowers. Olivia said: “Potassium is important for overall plant health and plays a key role in flowering. It helps transport carbohydrates, which orchids need for energy to produce blooms.”
