Woman's 'magnificent' orchid blooms after she waters it with two kitchen items

An orchid owner has shared the simple way she gets her houseplant to bloom, and it's all down to two kitchen ingredients she adds to the water

Orchids are known for their stunning blooms, typically flowering every eight to 12 months, but some gardeners have found ways to speed up the process.

Factors such as lighting, temperature, and pruning can influence an orchid's blooming cycle. However, one woman has demonstrated that watering and fertilisation are key to getting an orchid to flower again.

Sharing her success on the Orchids Tips and Tricks Facebook group, Alana Steele revealed: "For the past few months I've been feeding my phals [phalaenopsis orchid] banana tea and rice water and I'm finally getting the magnificent blooms I imagined. So thank you for all your tips and tricks."

Banana peels are rich in potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, making them an excellent organic fertiliser, according to Heavenly Orchids experts.

To create banana peel tea, soak fresh banana skins in water for two days before diluting it with more water. Alternatively, dry and grind banana peels into a powder to sprinkle over the growing medium.

Rice water is another beneficial concoction for orchids, providing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and starches that nourish beneficial root fungi, making it a "very good" organic fertiliser, the experts say, reports the Express.

To whip up some rice water, simply soak a handful of rice – any variety will suffice – in water for at least 30 minutes, then strain this starchy liquid into a container before setting it aside to ferment away from direct sunlight for about one week. Remember, the concoction needs to breathe, so either lightly secure the cap or drape a breathable cloth over the top.

After a week's time, mix the potent solution with an equal part of water and spritz it onto the roots and foliage as a homemade "foliar fertiliser". On top of nourishing your greens, this rice water tonic serves as a nifty insect repellent for those pesky bugs on houseplants.