Expert says household plant will thrive because it loves a brew as much as you do

Wales Online

a day ago

Expert says household plant will thrive because it loves a brew as much as you do
Orchids 'bloom brilliantly' when watered with one kitchen ingredient every month
A popular indoor plant that can be helped by a popular indoor ingredient
(Image: Getty Images)
Plants and flowers can always instantly uplift a home, bringing scent, a visually attractive structure and foliage to a space, linking the inside to the outside too. Indoor plants have always been popular and are currently a very popular interior design trend.
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For someone who wants a plant that is more exotic than most, Orchids are cherished indoor plants due to their striking appearance, but they can be quite temperamental and even more challenging if planted in a garden rather than a more controlled environment inside.
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It can also be challenging to coax them into flowering during their blooming period, so it's vital to meet an orchid's basic needs, but the main reason orchids fail to bloom is inadequate watering or a lack of proper nutrients - one you can put a reminder on your phone to do the other way to help an orchid be its best is not so obvious as it involes an important aspect of everyday life in Wales.
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Mark Curran, a horticulturist and founder of Heavenly Orchids, has disclosed that you don't need to spend a fortune on pricey plant food for orchids as they can be revitalised using breakfast leftovers. He said: "Some of the best natural fertilisers for orchids are available on your kitchen shelves."
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It may seem odd, but one of the top natural scraps to feed your orchids during summer is a cup of tea. This is because it will help hydrate your orchid while providing essential nutrients. For more home and garden content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
Mark clarified: "Black tea has tannins, similar to the tannins that orchids would receive in nature from tree bark, leaves, and moss. Black tea soaks are beneficial for rehydrating and revitalising dehydrated orchids."
Simply brew a tea bag in cool and filtered water for 10 minutes, then soak the orchid roots in the tea mixture. When watering orchids, it's recommended to purify the water by filling a container with water and leaving it to stand for at least 24 hours to allow the chlorine in tap water to evaporate.
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Orchids can be more challenging than other house plants but are worth the effort
(Image: Getty Images)
Mark said: "Doing this on a daily basis for orchids that have become dehydrated has excellent results. My all-time favourite tea is Barry's Tea from Ireland. When it comes to black tea there is no other tea that compares in flavour and taste. This tea is so strong that you could make an orchid tea solution with the leftover tea bag."
Giving orchids a black tea fertiliser will help boost their leaf and root development as it contains nitrogen and potassium, which are essential nutrients for plant growth. Orchids also prefer slightly acidic soil to thrive in, which will help reduce plant stress, but be careful to only give orchids black tea once a month during their growing season, as too much acidity will harm the houseplant.
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Banana peels are also amongst the best kitchen scraps for orchids, as they contain potassium and phosphorus, which support flower development. For more property, garden, and interior design stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Mark said: "Banana peels contain potassium, phosphorus, and calcium and are a good organic fertiliser. Make banana peel tea by steeping fresh banana skins in water for 48 hours, then dilute with four parts water to one."
If you're making a brew, make one for your orchid too
(Image: Getty Images)
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Eggshells can also help supply orchids with the nutrients they require, as they contain a considerable amount of calcium, which is needed to keep plants healthy and grow stronger. However, make sure you thoroughly clean eggshells of yolk, as any eggy remnants will attract pests and crush up the eggshells as it makes it easier for the orchids to absorb nutrients.
Mark explained: "Eggshells contain calcium and you can either make a tea from eggshells that have been cleaned and dried, or you can use a mortar and pestle to grind up the shells and sprinkle into your potting medium where it will act as a slow release fertilizer.
"To make an eggshell tea, place cleaned, ground eggshells in a large water bottle or container, let sit for one week before use."