Orchids will 'bloom constantly' if one kitchen ingredient is added to the water monthly, according to an expert. Houseplant enthusiast Kiva Kriti, in an online video, showed off her fruity way of ensuring orchids bloom all year round.
By simply adding one item from your kitchen to the watering routine for your orchid, you could potentially have endless blooms, she says.
"Take a banana peel," instructed Kiva in her TikTok video, where she displayed the ripe fruit. "Chop, chop into pieces," she continues. "Soak [the chopped banana peel] in warm water for a few hours." It will then be "ready to use" on the orchid, reports the Express.
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Taking the banana-laden water, Kiva waters her orchid over the kitchen sink. Any surplus water can simply drain away.
"Feed your orchids and wait until the water drains out," advised Kiva, as allowing orchids to sit in damp pots could otherwise result in fungal diseases.
"Do this procedure every 10 days," said Kiva, adding: "Happy plant, happy you."
In the comments section on TikTok, Kiva mentioned that she does the banana watering "once a month [during] blooming time".
Questioned by a commenter on TikTok: "They bloom every month? ", Kiva clarified the situation: "No, in my case it blooms twice a year... so I feed them once a month during blooming season."
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So when is it the orchid's blooming period?
Victoria Lee Blackstone, a horticulturalist, said the blooming seasons of orchids grown in pots can vary depending on their species.
The moth orchid is one of the most common types and usually blooms around March. If you look after it well, it can stay in bloom for several months.
Blackstone advises plant enthusiasts to repot spring-blooming Cattleyas immediately after they finish blooming.
Repotting your orchid after each bloom can help it flourish in the next season as the potting medium breaks down over time.
To repot an orchid, first remove any dead or dying foliage, then add fresh potting mix.
Sometimes, an orchid may outgrow its pot, so you might need to get a bigger one.
For the best chance of your orchid living a long life, make sure you use either sphagnum peat moss or bark chips as your potting mixture.
