logo
Woman's superb hack to make peace lilies flower 'faster than you've ever seen'

Woman's superb hack to make peace lilies flower 'faster than you've ever seen'

Daily Mirror14-05-2025
A peace lily owner has shared a "great" hack that encourages the houseplant to flower "faster than I've ever seen them grow" - and she's even tried it on her orchids
Peace lily houseplants are great for those looking to spruce up dim corners of their homes, not only adding a splash of greenery and colour but also purifying the air. Pop it into a plain pot and watch as its shiny leaves and eye-catching blooms become the centre of attention.
While peace lilies are robust and tolerant, coaxing out those enviable blooms requires a bit of know-how. A peace lily expert believes they've found the secret to getting these plants to "bloom faster than ever". On the Gardening UK Facebook group, a lady shared that after treating her peace lily with a common kitchen leftover, she saw a bloom appear in record time.

Jane Keane excitedly posted: "I couldn't be happier with my peace lily this morning. Since using banana peels on it, the plant has a new lease of life.

"New blooms have appeared faster than I've ever seen them grow before. I've even started to use them on my two orchids and it works great."
The green-fingered guru also uploaded a 'before' snap of the unflowered peace lily alongside an 'after' shot showcasing a magnificent white bloom emerging from the foliage.
The magic behind this trick might lie in the fact that banana skins supply the peace lily with essential nutrients for blooming.
Lawn care specialists highlight that potassium is crucial for peace lilies, particularly aiding in flower production, reports the Express.
They suggest that without sufficient potassium, a peace lily is "unlikely to produce flowers". The experts point out that peace lily aficionados can solve this issue by feeding their plants with a "potassium-rich fertiliser" or by "adding some banana peels or eggshells" into the soil to boost its richness.
Banana peels are recognised for their aid in flourishing not only peace lilies but also several horticulturists maintain they do wonders for orchids too.

As Mark Curran from the Heavenly Orchids blog and renowned orchid care specialist states, banana skins are loaded with nutrients like potassium, calcium and phosphorus, making them a top-notch organic fertiliser.
He advises creating a nutrient-packed banana peel tea by letting fresh banana skins steep in water for a couple of days before mixing it with more water at a ratio of 1:4 and serving up this nourishing concoction.
Or, green-thumbed enthusiasts can sun dry sliced-up banana peel for a pair of days, then grind the crispy bits into a fine fertiliser dust that can be applied directly to the plant's base.
Beyond these nutrient-dense tips, conditions like bright yet indirect sunlight are crucial for ensuring your peace lily blooms astoundingly.
Direct sunshine might be a bit harsh and burn the leaves while insufficient light can suppress flowering - so positioning near a north or east-facing window with mild light is the ticket.
If daylight is scarce, ponder over deploying a grow lamp for an extra luminous boost.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How to achieve the perfect crispy salmon with Mary Berry's simple technique
How to achieve the perfect crispy salmon with Mary Berry's simple technique

Daily Mirror

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

How to achieve the perfect crispy salmon with Mary Berry's simple technique

Mary Berry's method for cooking salmon will give it a beautiful golden crust that is both flavourful and crispy Salmon makes a fantastic choice for dinner when you're after something nutritious, but it won't taste as delicious as it could if you simply pop it in the oven. No one fancies eating mushy fish, but Mary Berry has revealed in her cookbook 'Love To Cook' that a straightforward method to give salmon a far superior texture is to cover it in semolina. ‌ Mary explained: "The semolina on top of the salmon gives a lovely crust and the paprika adds to the flavour and colour." Semolina is a rough flour that makes salmon considerably crispier, so you get a gorgeous golden coating that's also incredibly tasty without needing to spend ages preparing. ‌ It assists in drying the salmon's skin so it crisps up better in the oven and also forms a protective layer around the dish to stop it from sticking to a baking tray, reports the Express. ‌ Making semolina-coated salmon takes under five minutes, and then it requires approximately 18 minutes to cook so you can prepare this winning dinner in under 30 minutes. How to make Mary Berry's crispier salmon Ingredients For the salmon: ‌ Four salmon fillets 25g of semolina 175g of samphire One teaspoon of paprika Small bunch of fresh parsley (separate the leaves and stalks) Half a lemon (cut into four wedges) Salt and pepper For the lemon sauce: Juice of half a lemon Three tablespoons of mayonnaise 200g of crème fraîche (full-fat) Two small preserved lemons ‌ Method To start, heat the oven to 200C (180C for a fan oven or Gas Mark 6). Then, get a tray ready by covering it with baking paper - then grease it with butter. ‌ Put the semolina, paprika, salt and pepper onto a large plate. Cover the top and edges of each salmon fillet with melted butter, then dip it into the seasoning mix until you've got a coating. Place the parsley stalks on the tray and rest the salmon on top. Pop it in the oven and let it cook for 15 to 18 minutes until the top is golden and perfectly crispy. ‌ For the lemon sauce, pop the parsley leaves and preserved lemons into a blender and blitz until you have a smooth paste. Pour this into a bowl then add the lemon juice, mayonnaise and crème fraîche. Next, gently heat the lemon sauce in a pot until it's warmed through. If you fancy, you can season the sauce with pepper but be mindful not to add too much salt as the preserved lemons will already be quite salty from the brine. When the salmon is nearly ready, toss the samphire into a pot of salted water and let it cook for two minutes. To serve, arrange the parsley stalks and salmon on a plate, then add some samphire and a lemon wedge to the side. Finish off with a drizzle of the lemon sauce.

Gardeners told to put one common food on their bird table as soon as possible
Gardeners told to put one common food on their bird table as soon as possible

Daily Mirror

time9 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Gardeners told to put one common food on their bird table as soon as possible

Gardeners are being urged to put out a certain kind of food on bird tables to help them out during the vital fledgling season - and it's a food everyone is likely to have in their cupboards already Green-fingered Brits are being encouraged to scatter pasta on their bird tables, in a bid to support our feathered friends during the crucial fledgling season. The thought of providing food for birds can be daunting for many garden owners, with the assumption that it requires costly, specialist mixtures from garden centres or DIY shops, and is a hobby reserved for those with spare cash to splash on feeding local wildlife. However, the RSPCA assures us that anyone can contribute to bird feeding without splashing out on specialist grub - all you need are some common, budget-friendly kitchen staples. Alongside rice, potatoes and cheese, cooked pasta can be served up on bird tables. It's important to note that the pasta must be cooked, never raw, as uncooked pasta could pose a risk to birds, so ensure it's properly boiled and cooked beforehand. This is because raw pasta is difficult for birds to digest. In some cases, it can cause bloating, discomfort, or even internal damage if it expands after being ingested. Numerous bird species are facing threats due to habitat loss, dwindling food sources like the decline in insect populations, as well as climate change and pollution. This is why we're being called upon to lend a hand by supplying food for our avian neighbours, which will also aid them in nourishing young fledglings come August, reports the Express. Fledglings are juvenile birds that have recently left the nest. Their tender age means they're still novices at foraging for food, and they require ample nutrition for growth. The RSPCA suggests leaving out fruits, seeds, unsalted chopped peanuts and food scraps for garden birds. The guidance states: "Birds love to eat: fruit - apples, pears and soft fruits; Suitable seeds and grains - like nyjer, millet, oats, and sunflower seeds; Peanuts - must be unsalted, fresh and that they don't contain aflatoxin (a poison caused by fungus mould). "Young chicks might choke on whole peanuts, so always put them in feeders with a smaller mesh; Food scraps - cooked pasta, rice and boiled potatoes or cheese and uncooked and unsalted bacon rind." The advice emphasises clearing away any leftover food each evening and maintaining clean feeding areas consistently. This guidance comes after the RSPB temporarily withdrew flat bird tables from their shops whilst examining potential disease transmission risks linked to exposed food left on flat surfaces. The charity now advocates for regular cleaning of feeding stations and nesting boxes, alongside prompt removal of any unconsumed offerings.

Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August
Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August

Wales Online

timea day ago

  • Wales Online

Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August

Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August Hydrangeas are hardy plants that do not need much care, but there is one simple gardening task that can ensure they continue to bloom beautifully for much longer Hydrangeas will grow even perkier flowers if one simple task is done in August (Image: Getty) Hydrangeas, robust as they are, typically require minimal maintenance, yet there's one thing they need for their delicate root systems - ample moisture. As rain is something Wales is currently lacking, one straightforward gardening chore can really help. ‌ Despite regular watering, hydrangeas can suffer in extreme heat, leading to wilting, underdeveloped blooms, or even halted growth. However, Skye Hamilton, affectionately dubbed the Hydrangea Queen and founder of Hamilton House Designs, has divulged a tip for safeguarding your hydrangeas. ‌ She explained: "Mulching hydrangeas is super beneficial for retaining moisture, retaining nutrients, and feeding the soil. Hydrangeas have wide, shallow roots, so finding the right mulch is very important." ‌ The practice of mulching involves covering the soil around plants with a protective layer to shield them from the elements, particularly useful in summer to conserve soil moisture. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here A good mulch layer acts as a barrier against evaporation and also insulates the plant's roots, keeping them cool regardless of the soaring temperatures, reports the Express. This technique not only keeps hydrangeas looking vibrant and encourages flowering during intense heat but also prevents weeds from encroaching, reducing the need for additional gardening tasks. ‌ How to mulch hydrangeas in August Mulching is simple but helps the soil retain moisture to keep hydrangeas hydrated (Image: Getty) It's advisable to utilise a natural mulch known for its water-retention properties, such as pine, cedar, bark chips, pine straw or leaf mulch. These types of mulch not only keep hydrangeas hydrated but also decompose slowly, providing the plant with additional nutrients. ‌ Distribute a thin layer (approximately two to four inches thick) around a hydrangea plant, taking care not to overdo it or create piles. Hydrangeas require ample moisture in August, but an excess can lead to stagnant water in the soil, which may attract pests and diseases. After applying the mulch, give the hydrangea a thorough watering. Article continues below This should enable it to flourish and produce large, fluffy flowers throughout August, rather than merely struggling to survive as it typically would.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store