Apart from being eaten by heartbroken individuals, what else can banana peels be used for? Recently, there has been an online trend suggesting that soaking banana peels in water can serve as a natural fertilizer for plants, and some people wholeheartedly believe in this method. In response to this, experts have shared their opinions.
According to a report by the UK’s “Daily Mirror,” there is currently a movement online to create natural fertilizer from banana peels. It is said that by soaking banana peels in a jar of water for a period of time, the water will contain nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium from the banana peels, which can be used to fertilize the soil for plants.
British horticulture expert Calum Maddock supports this practice. He believes that doing so can indeed enhance plant growth.
Maddock stated, “Potassium is an essential macronutrient that can help plants in various ways, such as in disease resistance.”
He explained that when watering plants with water infused with banana peels, the potassium-rich water will seep into the soil. Over time, the plant roots will absorb the dissolved potassium from the surrounding soil.
By using banana peel water, he said, you can reduce your reliance on chemical fertilizers and help the environment. This is a sustainable way to provide your plants with some careful nurturing.
Maddock mentioned that tomatoes, peppers, roses, and hibiscus are plants that thrive on potassium absorption. Potassium mainly helps plants regulate stomata, which are the parts of the plant used for gas and water exchange with the environment.
He added that calcium aids in the formation of plant cell walls, while magnesium plays a crucial role in chemical reactions within cells. However, banana peel water also contains salt, which may have negative effects on certain plants.
He explained, “Ferns, citrus plants, and some succulents may be adversely affected by too much banana peel water. Fast-growing plants, such as vegetables in their growing stages, may require a more balanced fertilizer with nutrients other than potassium. Just banana peel water alone may not meet their needs.”
On the other hand, another expert, Kendall Marie Platt, holds a different view. She does not recommend using banana peel water for fertilizing, as she considers it a waste of time.
Platt explained that simply soaking the peels in water cannot extract enough potassium from the banana peels, which requires decomposition by microorganisms. It is better for people to use balanced fertilizers purchased from stores or natural compost made from plant compost for plant fertilization.
According to “Reader’s Digest,” there is currently no scientific evidence proving that banana peel water contains sufficient potassium to promote plant growth.
Previous studies have suggested that using boiled banana peels to make banana peel water may help increase potassium content, but this argument requires further research for confirmation.
If banana peel water does prove effective, is using this DIY fertilizer safe for plants?
“Reader’s Digest” stated that banana peel water is generally safe for most plants and does not hinder their growth. However, traditionally, farmers spray insecticides on bananas, and you may not want to use such peels for soaking and irrigating crops. One solution is to use only organic banana peels to make banana peel water.
It is worth noting that while banana peel water contains some important nutrients, it cannot provide all the nutrients necessary for plant growth. Relying solely on banana peel water for plant fertilization may lead to stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and other signs of nutrient deficiency.
To avoid these situations, in addition to banana peel water, you should also use other organic products such as compost or fertilizers.
Regarding how often to use banana peel water, “Reader’s Digest” suggests that for most indoor and outdoor plants, banana peel water can be used once a week, just like regular watering. It is important to pour banana peel water onto the soil and not on the plant leaves to prevent mold growth.
For plants like succulents and cacti that prefer drier conditions, the frequency of using banana peel water should be reduced to avoid problems such as root rot.
In addition to making banana water, you can also let banana peels turn into fertilizer through composting and microbial decomposition, then apply it on the soil surface to provide plants with more nutrients from the banana peels.