Orchids require extra attention in autumn as the changing weather can impact their health.
The plants may need watering and light exposure adjustments to thrive with shorter days and cooler temperatures.
Phalaenopsis orchids, better known as moth orchids, grow new leaves in the summer and early fall and develop a spike in late autumn when temperatures drop. This drop in temperature makes autumn the best season to trigger reblooming.
Some orchids may struggle to flower, but one plant enthusiast has a tried and tested remedy that solves this problem – and it’s probably already in your cupboard.
Sharing their wisdom on a home and garden Facebook page, a user named Smith Sico wrote: “Rice is a real miracle for orchids.”
The gardener continued: “If it [your orchid] hasn’t flowered for a long time, take 50 grams [of rice] and try this trick, and the first buds will soon appear!”
Rice grains are useless when scattered on your orchid; you need rice water instead. Making rice water is easy at home: Measure 50g of rice in a bowl, add enough water to cover it, and leave it to soak for “several hours”.
According to the Facebook gardening guru, soaking the rice overnight should do the trick. They claimed: “This allows the rice to absorb moisture and release beneficial compounds.”
Strain the soaked rice and collect the infused water in a jug. This milky liquid contains beneficial vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins E, B, and magnesium, which can help stimulate new flower growth and strengthen the plant.
How to use rice water on orchids
Pour the strained rice water into a spray bottle and mist the orchid plant. In the cooler seasons, it’s important to water orchids sparingly, so gardening experts recommend using a rice solution no more than once a month.
Over-applying rice water can lead to harmful bacteria or mould, hardening of the soil, and possible insect infestations.
As for how often to water orchids throughout autumn, mist them with plain tepid water once every 10 days, preferably in the morning only.
The gardening enthusiast claimed that rice water won’t instantly stimulate new flowers on orchids, but it may happen sooner than you think.
They said: “Keep a close eye on your orchids for signs of new growth and budding. With consistent care, you’ll soon see the first blooms emerge.”
A fellow orchid fan commented on the Facebook post to share their success with this clever gardening hack. Donna Kaye Mauldin wrote: “We did this with our orchids a few weeks ago and this afternoon we discovered a new bloom shoot on one of ours.”
Another wrote: “I used rice water from washing the rice from the starch; then save the first two rinse waters to feed my orchids.”
Others shared alternative hacks, including fruit water. Jean Clinch commented: “I soak banana skins for about a week, strain the water into a bottle and use it watered down on loads of plants especially indoor ones my orchids keep flowering and my plants are healthy.”
