Do-it-yourself orchid food is one of the 7 homemade plant foods for orchids.
Like all plants, Phalaenopsis orchids need food and water.They would absorb and trace elements from their surrounding, including the growing surface, decaying plant material, bird and monkey droppings, etc.
As indoor plants, they don't have this natural source.You have to addfertilizer to clean waters like distilled water and rain water.
My orchids are fed on a flexible schedule.I don't have fixed days to feed them, I just do it here and there, and more during the plants' vegetative stage when new leaves and roots are growing.
It takes up to 2 years for an orchid to show signs of malnutrition, so even though I use tap water for watering, better safe than sorry!If the water's ph is too high or low, you won't be able to take in the vitamins you need.It's important to check the PH level for Phalaenopsis orchids.
I have several bottles of ready orchid foods, but did you know you can also make your own?I have made and used homemade orchids several times, so I wanted to share a few recipes with you today.
In a gallon of water, mix 2 parts salt with 4 parts water.As needed, use once every two weeks.
It is essential for plant growth to have magnesium in your orchids.It can help achieve better blooms.You can find it in hardware stores and garden centers.Even though it can be found in supermarkets and drugstores, I would advise you to go for one that is an agricultural grade.
There are instructions for finding a nettle plant outside.Pull out the plant from the ground.You should wear gloves if you want to safely touch the stem.If you want to release the juices from the plant, place it in a container of water and poke it with a wooden spoon.Allow the container to stand aside for a few weeks.Occasionally, stir.The container needs to be out of direct sunlight.If you want the liquid, pour it through a strainer, not the plant bits.
The strength of this mixture depends on the size of the plant and the amount of soaking water used.When given to your orchids, aim for a weak tea color.You can change the amount before use.The feed can be used every two weeks or as needed.It should increase the plants' immune system because of its high nitrogen levels.
If(typeof!= 'undefined') ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-orchid_com-medrectangle-3-0'),You can soak in the sun for 3 days.To separate the banana peels from the water, pour the mixture through a strainer.You want the water, not the peels.
I always use organic bananas to avoid harsh pesticides.If the color of the finished product is too dark, it should be washed with clean water.As needed, use every two weeks.Banana peelfertilizer feeds and strengthens!It provides your orchids with many vitamins and minerals.
The water in the tea bag should have a faint color.Any black tea is fine.
Nitrogen and Tannic Acid are found in black tea, which is great for growth.When you need to water your orchids, give them every two weeks.I like to only prepare enough for one watering at a time.I use this to encourage root growth.
Instructions for washing rice in water.3 parts water and 1 part rice.You should pour the water into a container without the rice.eggshells are grinded into fine powderIt's a good idea to sprinkle some in the rice water.A gallon of water is 1 liter.
If you don't have a blender, you can crush the eggshells.Pour the mix through a strainer the next day after they soak in the rice wash water.You can keep the crushed eggshells in the mix.The orchids get vitamins and calcium from rice water.As needed, give every two weeks.
Instructions: Chop/mince 4-5 fresh garlic gloves and mix in 1/2 gallon (2 liters) of water.Allow it to soak for 24 hours.Remove the garlic bits from the water.Dissolve a Succinic acid pill in the liquid now.The garlic water is ready to use.
This is a great health-booster with friends.It is a natural pest-fighter.When treating an issue, I would only use this occasionally.There will be no garlic smell left in the orchid mix.It is supposed to improve the bloom quality when used with Succinic acid.You can buy Succinic acid pills in drug stores and online.
You need to collect newer willow tree branches as many as you can fit inside the pot.You can chop or beat the parts of the branches.Bring the pot to a boil by filling it with water.Put willow branch pieces in the hot water when the heat is off.You can steep up to several days if you put the lid on.When soaked, strain through a strainer.You are only using the water, not the branch pieces.
Indolebutyric acid is a plant hormone.It stimulates root growth.I let the branch pieces soak in warm water, but you can also do it without boiling the water.The longer you soak, the better!You help release more of the hormone by beating or chopping the branches and leaves.It is great for all orchids, but especially for those in need of more roots.
In 14 gallon of water, mix 500 Aspirin tablets.You can crush the tablet into a fine powder before putting it in water, but make sure it's well dissolved in the water.You should mix well.
Aspirin contains Salicylic acid.It is a root growth booster and can be used for orchids.This recipe can be used as a strength-booster for weak orchids.This treatment can give the orchid the boost they need to fight back.Give once a month as a treatment-in-need.
Leave the organic banana peels to soak in 2 liters of water for 3 days.The water should be poured through a strainer to separate the banana peel from the water.You only need the water, not the peel bits, so add a tea spoon of molasses and a gallon of rice wash water.You should mix well.It should be given to your orchids every two weeks.
If you keep sweeter ingredients in the fridge, they can rot if kept too long.You can always make new batches.
You can easily prepare yourself for your orchids at home, because there are so many fertilizers.Try not to get too carried away.It's a good idea to avoid combinations that seem strong.It is possible to try it on only one or a few orchids before giving it to all of your plants.
There is nothing dangerous about the ingredients in the above recipes.You can try and experiment with many other ingredients.Potato peels, milk/buttermilk, fish power, seaweed, honey, cinnamon, crushed and dried fish/chicken bones, vitamins B1, etc.
You can make your own food.Keeping in mind that less is more, see what you have at home and experiment with it.
You can find ingredients that have Nitrogen, P, and K in them.The amounts are balanced if the type of ez_fad_position is 'undefined'.
Luckily there are lots of ready ones in the market, if you're not sure how to make your own orchid fertilization.
The general category includes aspirin, banana peel, black tea, homemade orchid food, indolebutyric acid, and rice wash water.
I will be making some of these feeds for my orchid because of the good advice you gave me.
I have orchids that have been around for nearly 16 years and I do all remedies, but for a test I put rotted horse manure and dried it, it bloomed for 3 months.All of my fruit trees are in coconut shells.During hot weather, hang up on my fruit tress for 3 weeks.Clean cleaves should be used to check for pests.My kids are with me.
I love your posts.All of the suggestions.I did water culture when I tried the garlic water, is there a recommended time to soak in the water?All of your articles are very informative.
Diane, thank you so much for your nice comment!I would soak the roots in the garlic water for 30 minutes.I would add clean water to the garlic water.After soaking the roots, rinse them with clean water.Good luck!
Thank you for the article.I just bought my first two orchids and now I have to decide which recipe to use.
I enjoy reading your articles.Your writing is structure, what an excellent post.It is easy to comprehend.I gain a lot of knowledge when I read your post in Full Water Culture.Please keep posting.
I use the banana water to fertilize my orchids.It lasts me a long time.I don't know where I should make new banana water.I am afraid it will turn into alcohol.That's right.Thanks.