Orchid Home Remedies That Work! (Part 2)

In our most recent blog post, we shared a few orchid home remedies that really work. Here a few more suggestions that you can easily find around the house that are safe for the environment and helpful for your plants.

Dishwashing Liquid 
A mild dishwashing detergent can serve as an effective treatment for aphids and other pests. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with a half gallon of water. Pour into a clean spray bottle. Generously spray the leaves and exposed orchid roots, taking extra care to spray the underside of each leaf where pests hide. Wait a few hours and spray again with fresh water to remove the soap and the pests.

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Cinnamon
This common spice has several beneficial properties for your orchids. There are times when you need to cut away fungus or bacteria from the leaves of your plants. Sprinkle ground cinnamon directly on the leaves where you made a clean cut to help heal the wound. You can also steep cinnamon sticks in hot water over night to make a mild fungicide. Use the “cinnamon tea” in a spray bottle to treat mild fungus issues. This simple treatment can also reduce fungi growth among your orchids such as mushrooms. 

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Bananas
Don’t toss your banana peels; put them to work. Banana peels contain many important nutrients including potassium. You can make a natural fertilizer spray for your orchids by soaking leftover peels in water for a couple of days. Discard the peel and use the “banana water” in a spray bottle to feed your orchids. If you have orchids mounted to trees, you can hang the peel around your orchids for gradual fertilization over time. Your orchids will absorb nutrients from the banana as it deteriorates.   

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Mouthwash
Mouthwash fights bacteria in your mouth, and it can do the same with your orchids. Spritz your orchid weekly with a dose of mouthwash to deter pests and bacteria. Avoid flavored mouthwashes because they contain additives. 

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