Orchids are among the houseplants that need the most precise care. When it comes to nutrients, they are quite frugal, but There is no need to fall short or commit excesses.
How to fertilize orchids
You should fertilize orchids regularly to optimally support their growth. It requires a certain delicacy, since These sensitive plants do not tolerate all types of fertilizers equally.
Proper dosage is also important, as Too much fertilizer can cause burns to the roots of orchids.
In this article you will discover what Home remedies are especially suitable for fertilizing orchids, what other products you can try and what you should keep in mind in terms of frequency and dosage.
Fertilize orchids with dry yeast
Yeast fertilizer is suitable for terrestrial orchid species, that is, those that grow in the ground. It is a suitable product because it not only contains valuable minerals such as potassium and phosphorus, but also about 60% nitrogen.
To make homemade fertilizer for your orchid You only need to mix dry yeast with water.
Yeast water for orchids
Elaboration:
- Dissolve the contents of a packet of dry yeast (7 grams) in about 100 ml of hot water.
- Then add two liters of cold water to the mixture and stir well.
- You should let the yeast water cool completely before using it to fertilize your orchids.
Before and during the flowering phase of your orchids, You can water them with the yeast water every two or three weeks. How to do it:
- Place the yeast water in a medium-sized household container or clean bucket.
- Immerse the orchid and the inner pot in the yeast water so that the substrate can absorb the water.
- Then place the inner pot back into the decorative pot.
This dry yeast fertilizer is especially useful and economical if you have expired dry yeast at home. It’s no longer suitable for baking, because you can’t be sure that a yeast dough will rise properly with it, but it’s a shame to throw it away. Therefore, fertilizing orchids with expired yeast is good for them and also for your pocket.
Other options to fertilize your orchids
You can also fertilize your orchids that grow in soil with two other home remedies: leftover coffee and black tea. Follow the following steps:
- Mix about 100 ml of brewed coffee with 2 l of water. Let the mixture cool completely. To fertilize, you can submerge your orchids with the inner pot in the coffee water every two or three weeks during the growth phase.
- Prepare an infusion of black tea with 250 ml of water. Then mix the tea with 2 l of cold water. Let the mixture cool completely. Dip your orchids and their inner pot into the tea water every two to three weeks during the growth phase to fertilize them.
You must be careful when using coffee and tea as fertilizers. Take a good look at your orchids after the first application.
If there are no changes, such as withered leaves, In the days after fertilization, you can use home remedies without hesitation.
If you want to play it safe, the safest alternative to home remedies are special composts for orchids. You can buy them at well-stocked garden or hardware stores.
When is the time to fertilize Orchids?
You should fertilize your orchid only when it is in the growth phase, that is, when a new leaf or flower forms.
Orchids usually go dormant once a year. This is the time between flowering periods, which often falls in winter.
In the rest phase you should reduce care a little: You should water it less and under no circumstances fertilize it.
Temperatures may be a little lower. During the dormant phase, the plant will barely grow, but don’t worry: this is completely normal. It needs this dormant period to bloom again in spring.