In their natural habitat, orchids often perch on trees, where they feed on the air particles that their entwined roots collect. The potting soil you use indoors decomposes and becomes nutrient-poor over time. With the help of a fertilizer that supplements these nutrients, the plant can continue to develop and bloom. Find out how you can use milk for orchids in this article!
Milk for orchids - helpful tips for watering and fertilizing
A variety of nutrients are required for plant growth, just as various vitamins and minerals are necessary for human health. Soil fertility is improved through the use of fertilizers, which add additional nutrients to the soil. nutritionistclassify these nutrientsdepending on their relative importance as main nutrients (macronutrients) and trace nutrients (micronutrients). Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and sulfur (S) are the primary nutrients found in most fertilizer formulations. Fertilizers often contain trace nutrients such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo) and chlorine (Cl).
Which nutrients in milk are beneficial for orchids?
When you consider this concept, it immediately becomes clear that milk can be used as fertilizer. Milk is a versatile nutritional supplement for plants because it contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium, among other nutrients.
Plus, plants can safely consume spoiled milk, so diluting milk to make fertilizer is a fantastic use even after the expiration date has passed. Before you give your orchids this homemade fertilizer, there are a few things you should consider.
Dilute milk and water the orchids
The nitrogen-forming protein found in milk is essential to the health of your orchids. 1 cup of milk and 5 cups of water is a good ratio for plant nutrition - always dilute the milk in a 1:5 ratio (or even a 1:8 ratio).
Choose low-fat milk
Choose low-fat milk (1.5%) and avoid skim and whole milk. Due to its nutrient content, it promotes the healthy growth and development of orchids. The sugars, proteins, and calcium found in milk can help plants grow stronger roots, more robust cell walls, and develop healthier plants overall.
You can water the plant with the milk fertilizer or spray the plant with a spray bottle. However, be careful not to use too much milk as it can promote the growth of germs and fungi that are harmful to you. With moderate and regular use of milk as fertilizer, orchids can benefit from a natural boost of nutrients and overall health.
Also interesting:Sugar water for orchids: No more limp leaves - enjoy the lush blooms!
Fight pests
There are somenatural pesticides, but you might want to look for something more budget-friendly first. Orchids can be sprayed with a mixture of water and non-fat milk.
Clean orchid leaves with milk
Leaf shine gives the impression that the plants are slightly healthier and more vibrant. If you want to make your orchid a real eye-catcher, this is very important. Therefore, brush the leaves with milk: this not only protects them, but also improves their appearance.
The lactic acid in milk dissolves mineral deposits on the leaves, making milk a strange but effective leaf cleaner. For those who always have milk on hand, using milk is a viable alternative. If you want to make your own leaves shine, skimmed milk is the way to go. Use milk on the tops of the leaves to make them shiny, but avoid putting milk on the undersides. Milk can clog the pores of the leaves, impairing gas exchange.
Whether plant-based milk is suitable for orchidsfind out here!
Titelbild: Mariia Boiko/Shutterstock
