Orchids are relatively easy once you understand their needs – one of which is fertiliser.
Fertilising orchids is essential for their growth and blooming, as it provides them with necessary nutrients.
Just like humans need a balanced diet to stay healthy, orchids require a proper nutrient balance to thrive.
Unsure whether her orchid was dying, one woman took to the Orchids Tips and Tricks Facebook page to ask for advice.
The majority of group members claimed that the houseplant has simply finished its first blooming cycle and needs fertilising to spur on more blooms.
Muireann Gallagher wrote: “I think my orchid is dying what do I do? I presume it doesn’t live forever but maybe it can bloom again?”
Michael Berg said: “It’s not dying, it’s just at the end of its bloom cycle. Continue to care for it properly, and it will bloom again.”
Kelly Brown claimed: “It’s not dying it’s just over blooming for now. Keep watering once a week and feed it. I have owned about 60 orchids at one time and always made them rebloom.”
Sohan Pachu wrote: “Once all the flowers are dead cut the stems right down to about an inch. It will rebloom again but keep watering and fertilising.”
For the fertiliser, one orchid owner tried adding garlic one time and was pleasantly surprised with the results.
Hanna Ahtohoba said: “Put chopped garlic in a bowl of water for one hour then soak your orchid in this water. My orchids flowered like crazy after doing this.”
El Anya claimed: “Yes, I water mine with garlic water too and they are full of flowers.”
When asked for more details on this tip by another group member, Hanna said: “I remove the garlic from the water, but it is not a problem if it remains.
“I don’t rinse as orchids love it. Mine are blooming for the second time.” Hanna then posted a picture of her orchid in bloom.
Be sure to strain the garlic water after it’s been sitting for a few days. This will ensure the ultra-powerful garlic doesn’t over-fertilise your plants.
Garlic can not only help houseplants but it can also be used in the garden to keep slugs, snails and ants at bay.
