Is your orchid at home no longer blooming, or are the flowers it produces looking unhealthy? Some experts suggest that giving orchids a certain beverage can lead them to bloom larger, healthier flowers that are truly a sight to behold.
After enduring a harsh winter, plants will start to grow leaves in the warmth of spring. Without proper development, their stems may become weak and unable to support the growth of flowers.
In response to this, horticulture experts from Saffron’s Decor, a British floral design and retail company, have shared a simple method that involves giving orchids a cup of tea to revitalize them and encourage the blooming of beautiful flowers.
According to the experts on their website, sometimes orchids can stop flowering due to a reduction in nitrogen content and fluctuations in pH caused by various factors.
The website states that both black tea and green tea have been proven effective solutions. Green tea, rich in minerals, when used to water orchid plants, can lead to blooming once again.
Tea contains essential minerals such as nitrogen, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. By giving orchid plants this beverage, they can absorb water and minerals for healthy growth.
Following the steps provided on the website, carefully remove the orchid plant from its pot by gently shaking and pulling it out. Proceed to remove as much soil as possible from the roots without damaging them.
If there are dry or unhealthy roots, you can trim them with disinfected scissors to reduce the risk of orchids getting infected by pathogens.
Next, rinse the roots with clean water to remove unnecessary particles from the surface. Healthy roots will appear green as you rinse them.
The final step is to let the orchid plant “drink” the tea. Place a tea bag in lukewarm water, pour the solution into a container large enough to accommodate all the roots of the orchid plant. Let the roots soak in the solution for a whole day, then remove them in the evening.
Repeat this process of allowing the orchid plant to soak in tea solution for 4 to 5 consecutive days, changing the solution daily. You will notice the orchid becoming healthier over time.
The website mentions that orchids wilt and die when lacking nutrition or dehydrated. It is crucial to note these plants take longer to flower, so avoid over-fertilizing them.
Common reasons for orchid death include lack of nutrition, over-watering, dehydration, high pH levels, unsuitable pots, sunburn, insufficient sunlight, infrequent watering, pollution, low humidity, improper temperature, and excessive fertilization.
Orchids are delicate plants that require careful attention and addressing these causes of death to ensure they thrive by your side.
If you wish for your orchid plant to bloom year after year, you can refer to the Facebook group “Orchids Tips and Tricks,” where user Phyllis Fred shares her methods.
She mentioned that from 2021 to the present, her orchid plants have bloomed every year. Her method involves watering the plants with a mixture of water, Epsom salt, and baking soda while adjusting the timing of using this solution according to individual circumstances.
As reported by the British newspaper Daily Express, horticulture expert and orchid enthusiast Melissa Strauss praises the use of Epsom salt as an effective and affordable method to promote orchid blooming.
She states, “Epsom salt is an effective and inexpensive way to provide precious nutrients to orchids and other plants. Using them in plant care helps them grow larger, healthier, and more vibrant, producing larger and more colorful flowers.”