Latest news with #HeavenlyOrchids
Wales Online
6 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Expert says household plant will thrive because it loves a brew as much as you do
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. 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. 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. READ MORE: Householders given alert over hanging fairy lights on fences YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Amazon's best-selling window cleaner 'pays for itself after one use' 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." 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. 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. 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) Article continues below 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."
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Orchids 'bloom brilliantly' when watered with one kitchen ingredient every month
Orchids are beautiful, but they can be difficult to keep alive. If you're struggling with your plants, there's a simple hack to help them stay hydrated and bloom again Orchids are treasured houseplants thanks to their stunning appearance, but it can be tricky to encourage them to flower during their blooming period. It's crucial to ensure an orchid's fundamental requirements are satisfied, but the primary reason orchids fail to blossom is insufficient watering or a lack of proper nutrients. Mark Curran, a horticulturist and creator of Heavenly Orchids, has revealed that you don't need to splash out on expensive plant food for orchids as they can be rejuvenated using morning meal leftovers. He explained: "Some of the best natural fertilisers for orchids are available on your kitchen shelves." It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in their garden bins, as you could face punishment. It might sound peculiar, but one of the finest natural scraps to nourish your orchids during summer is a cup of tea. This is because it will assist in hydrating your orchid while providing essential nutrients, reports the Express. How to create a natural plant food for orchids using tea Mark explained: "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 steep a tea bag in cool and filtered water for 10 minutes, then immerse the orchid roots in the tea mixture. When watering orchids, it's advisable to purify the water by filling a vessel with water and allowing it to stand for at least 24 hours to permit the chlorine in tap water to dissipate. 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." Providing orchids with a black tea fertiliser will help enhance their leaf and root development as it contains nitrogen and potassium, which are vital nutrients for plant growth. Orchids also favour slightly acidic soil to flourish in, which will help minimise plant stress, but be cautious to only give orchids black tea once a month during their growing season, as excessive acidity will damage the houseplant. What else can you give orchids? Banana skins are also among the finest kitchen scraps for orchids, as they contain potassium and phosphorus, which support flower development. 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." Eggshells can also help provide orchids with the nutrients they require, as they contain a substantial amount of calcium, which is needed to keep plants healthy and grow stronger. However, ensure 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."
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Woman's superb hack to make peace lilies flower 'faster than you've ever seen'
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.
