Orchids have long captivated gardeners with their stunning beauty, but they have unique needs when it comes to lighting and watering.
Thankfully, when gardeners feed the ornamental plants carefully, they are rewarded with a crop of flowers year after year.
According to one gardener, the key to a successful orchid may be to fertilise it with rice water.
The hack appeared on the Facebook page Orchid Tips and Tricks, and promises to provide the plant with a strong nutrient boost.
Rice can contains key nutrients that orchids need to thrive
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Used rice water, a common household by-product, serves as a natural fertiliser thanks to nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
This eco-friendly solution not only nourishes orchids but also promotes blooming, offering a cost-effective alternative to commercial products.
Documenting her orchid's journey on the Facebook group Orchids Tips and Tricks, the houseplant enthusiast wrote: "I got this orchid almost 4 years ago, and she has given us flowers or buds without stopping all that time.
“She just threw her last flower a few weeks ago, and I was expecting her to have a rest, planning to repot her.
“I soak them in water once a week, use a spray bottle now and then, and recently I washed them thoroughly with water strained from rice and garlic, (soaked in two different containers overnight).
“They all seem happy, and that makes me happy.”
The plant fan pointed out that her "relentless" orchid was preparing to push out new flower spikes.
“She is the first orchid that has survived with me, although I tried lots of times," she added.
She went on: "I now have 9 more of them (3 are keikis that I potted a few months ago).
“All are now producing flower spikes, the keikis for the first time, the rest of them for the second time.
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Pruning is the most important task for prolonging an orchid's lifespanGETTYWhile store-bought fertilisers are effective, more and more kitchen hacks are emerging for orchid enthusiasts.
“The bushy an orchid is, the more blooms it can produce,” explained orchid enthusiast Danny, who goes by Miss Orchid Girl on YouTube. “In the end, we can end up with a ball of beautiful, gorgeous flowers.”
To achieve these results, gardeners can use a technique known as dividing. They start by removing the clump of plants from the pot and identifying healthy bulbs.
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