Orchids are among the indoor plants that need more precise care. When it comes to nutrients, they are pretty frugal, but there is no need to fall short or commit excesses.
How to fertilize orchids
You must fertilize orchids regularly to optimally support their growth. It requires some delicacy, since these sensitive plants do not tolerate all types of fertilizers equally.
Proper dosage is also important, as too much compost can cause orchid root burns.
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 take into account in terms of frequency and dose.
Fertilize orchids with dry yeast
Yeast fertilizer is suitable for terrestrial orchid species, that is, those that grow on the ground. It is a suitable product because it not only contains valuable minerals such as potassium and phosphorus, but also also about 60% nitrogen.
To make a 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 yeast water every two or three weeks. How to do it:
- Place the yeast water in a medium-sized household container or clean bucket.
- Submerge the orchid and the inner pot in the yeast water so that the substrate can absorb the water.
- Then put the inner pot back into the decorative pot.
This dry yeast compost is especially useful and inexpensive if you have expired dry yeast at home. It’s no longer suitable for baking, because you can’t be sure 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 it and also for your pocket.
Other options to fertilize your orchids
You can also fertilize your orchids that grow in the ground with two other home remedies: leftover coffee and black tea. Follow the next 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. Submerge your orchids and their inner pot in 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. Observe your orchids well after the first application.
If there are no changes, like 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 is compostelas special for orchids. You can buy them at well-stocked garden or hardware stores.
When is the time to fertilize the Orchids?
You should fertilize your orchid only when it is in the growth phase, that is, when a new leaf or flower is formed.
Orchids usually go dormant once a year. This is the time between flowering periods, which often falls in winter.
In the resting phase you should reduce care a little: you should water it less and under no circumstances, fertilize it.
Temperatures can 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 flower again in spring.
