Amenda I see that the banana fertilizer work faster for my orchid than the chemical fertilizer, I use the chemical fertilizer so many years, my orchid went big but Wil not rebloom, sinds I see your program, I try it and I see progress, Amenda keep on going with your good work I love it.
Amanda, I really appreciate your scientific approach to orchid care. The more I research, the more confused I get. I will come to your site for questions from now on. Before reading your information on using banana skins for fertilizer, I baked then powdered banana skins and sprinkled the powder on my plants. Within weeks everyone had a bloom spike. In two years I had never had a re-bloom so I was thrilled. Now I fear I have hastened the death of my "girls." What should I do? Also, I have bacterial black spot on two leaves of a Dancing Lady Dendrobium that has just finished flowering. I have her isolated and in low light. Should I just remove the two leaves rather than treat with Physan 20? Thanks, Frances
Thanks a lot for clarifying the "Tea" method. I do have a couple which are in ICU, (those I "rescued" from a Nursery) and the tea soak is what they need (I think). Thanks a mill!!
The teabag method has worked for me really well, however I have not used it as fertilizer... ive soaked rescues in diluted brewed tea with a little lemon, just to help them along... 80% of the time with success
Your information is great, but most of all you have a great sense of humor which is great to see its funny and enjoy your videos. Thank you for you great humor and information.
Sue from NZ. My Orchid has just finished flowering, so I will definitely give the tea bags a go. I have the white variety and always looks so nice. Thank you for your guidance. I will let you know how it grows.
Hi Susan Kerr, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped.
Lol..your bloopers are so cute. Today i am going to try the cal mag/epsom salt fertilizer ive heard so much about. My orchids are doing so well im kind of afraid to...well...if it aint broke, dont fix it scenario but instead of my reg store orchid fertilizer will kick it up a notch. .i do have a vanda thats been trying to commit suicide for like 6-7 monthes now ( long story) but i think i will try the tea bag for it. I wont let her die!! Thank you for a great video..i like that your not so serious about stuff lol. Have a great saturday!!
Thank you! :) Yeah, if your orchids are doing well, then it's best not to change your care methods and just keep doing what you're doing. If you happen to try a new method, then use tiny doses and see how they react. As for the Vanda, how much light does it get?
This year I used an orchid plant feed from the garden centre. My orchids have just about flowered once this year compared to up to three times a year using tea bags as a fertiliser in previous years. I went back to feeding with a teabag and low and behold my orchids are beginning to flower.
Hi Sandy, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. Oh wow--three times a year! That is great news! I'm so glad that this worked and that you shared your experience with tea bags. That's fascinating.
Hello, my question has nothing to do with tea. What is the name of that beautiful paphiopedilum? It so pretty. Thank you for the information on how to use tea. Our well water is quite acidic, is tea a good option for me? It’s been a while since I’ve checked, but it’s in the 5.5 range.
Hi Edith, Thank you for commenting. I recommend watching a video on my channel about NPK ratios and what they mean. This will help on deciding what fertilizer to use. Also, there is another video about 5 fertilizing techniques that you can use. If you can't find a good product in your area, try to look for a garden fertilizer that has 20-20-20 ratio.
I have a couple of orchids that are in dire need of some TLC. I have researched but, unfortunately everything I have come across that could probably help is in another language lol, which even after watching it I wasn’t able to understand and gave up, so imagine how excited I was to come across your channel!!! Thanks for sharing
Due to inexperience I am still learning what to do with orchids. I have killed a number of them due to this fact. I have been watching several of your various videos on how to care for orchids and am going to try some of your methods that you have provided in this video and others. Thank you very much for your insight.
Hi dear sis! I'm orchid lover❤️ It's good to hear what you are sharing because it's very informative. Can we use chamomile tea for the orchids? Thanks and hope to have your reply 🙏🙏
Hi Adeline. I haven't used chamomile, but what I've read is that it is the same as a herbal tea, with a pH around 7. So the same effects will still apply.
Lol, your videos make me laugh, you're so cute and sweet. Yes, keep these vids coming, they're very helpful. Even though I've been growing plants for years, I just recently started growing orchids and really appreciate the time you take to share what works for you and you're pleasant on top of that. God bless you!😇
i just transferred my orchids to water your new and I think I did it right I hope I need to get some kind of food for the orchid. What do you recommend?
Hi Diana, It does seem strange at first, but you're right at going slow (lightly). See how they react and if they show positive signs, keep increasing. The first time I heard of using tea I was like... yeah, right... But I was positively surprised.
Hi Liz, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped. So far, I haven't had too many orchids complain about the tea. Some orchids have more sensitive reactions to changes in nutrients and don't like to vary much, but they didn't fold up and die, or even crinkle. Catasetums are one example. They just didn't develop as much as others. So it didn't hurt them, but didn't help them either.
Hi Elisabeth Sule, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped.
Hi Jill, I let the tea come to room temperature first. Hot water can be just as harmful or more harmful than the warmer water can. Even though warn water won't hurt, the hot water will. I'm not very good with measurements, but I just dilute it as best as I can, because in orchid care less is more. Please keep me updated to know how your orchids reacted.
....... Your comment about calcium is very valuable to me. My fertilizer DOES have all micronutrients, but NOT calcium, so, tomorrow, I shall be preparing egg shells, thank you!
Hi Rare and Wonderful , I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped. I love your username, by the way.
Greetings! Do you know what form the Ca and Mg are in the tea? I am asking to confirm that these elements are soluble in water and available for the roots to absorb and the orchid to use. Thanks!
Hi VolleyballNow1, That's a good question. From what I researched, most all forms of Calcium are water soluble, so when you use tea, which has mostly calcium carbonate and calcium citrate, they will be absorbed. I am not sure about the Magnesium, but will look into it.
@@Orchideria magnesium is probably just as soluble as the calcium and phosphorous, it is one of the essentials people are looking for when they make bone broths.
Hi Svenn, I am still studying about the banana water, so I don't have an answer for you. What I can prove, is that any fertilizer needs at least three weeks to show small improvements, but it needs to be long term to have any real effects. So if you choose to use this method of fertilizer, only one application won't be enough.
I own one orchid. What are your feelings about watering the orchid from water from a fish tank (I keep several freshwater tanks) as a means of fertilization?
Hi Amanda, all of your Orchids are GORGEOUS but your Pink Lady Slipper Orchid is BREATHTAKING!! Based on your "water culture" video, I finally have about three of my Orchids in full water culture. Once has already grown 5 roots which was shocking. One is a rescue Orchid that's finally grown two roots, and one is a large one with a green spike that already flowered so it's cut back and I'm hoping it reblooms. I want to start fertilizing them with more natural fertilizers like tea, Epsom salts etc., so thank you for this video.💕🥰🙏🏼
Hi Dina's Tiny World. Thank you for watching and for leaving a comment. I appreciate it. The banana peel water is actually on my list of videos to make. It's been something I've been wanting to do for a long time now. I should have it done next month. :)
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing all the facts that you did! Your video was the most helpful I've watched, out of what felt like hundreds, So I thought you Deserved a Special THANK YOU!¡!¡! °☆•Much Appreciated!!•☆°
HI Amenda I have good news, that banana peel fertilizer work good for my vanda orchid and my phal, I have a lot of vanda orchid and phal. that never rebloom sind I bought them, al
Sinds I use the banana peel fertilizer I see a spike on one of my vanda Orchide that will never rebloom sinds I have it, I hope it is a spike and not a root, it is close to the krown, and my phal, I see that the roots starts to grow, its about six weeks now sinds I use the banana fertilizer
Hi Svenn, Thank you for the update! I am working still on writing an article about banana water and it's still not done. Your input is so encouraging to read.
I have a question: Does bark media needs to be fertilized even if the plant has been recently repotted with fresh bark media? Another question: As the media breaks down does it produce NPK? And thank you so much for all your very informative videos!!!😀
Hi Estevan, Some barks have been fertilized while other brands have not, and it's just the pure wood chips. In either case, I would wait a week or two after repotting just so the orchid doesn't get an overload of nutrients. It's already adjusting to the change, so adding fertilizer ontop the fertilized bark may do some harm. It won't kill the orchid, but it may turn a few leaf tips brown.
Hi Sandra, Thank you for watching my video. I appreciate it. I was sold on the eggshell method years ago, but am slowly changing my mind. I had used eggshells and had positive results, but I think that my orchids were a bit calcium deprived. Since I switched over to using Cal-Mag, Ive had better results. They work, but only as a fine powder. I made a video a while back about it that you can watch here: ua-cam.com/video/aSIzYxQmnYI/v-deo.html but I would really crush those eggshells well. The part I changed my mind was about the size of the eggshells pieces. The powder would have better results, more so than bigger chunks.
Hi Thushara, I haven't tried tea that way with my orchids. My guess would be that it is too strong, since you'd just want a small amount of tea and not the full tea as used when consumed. In my experience, the tea method is excellent.
I have tried everything to get my lady slipper orchids to bloom.. In our old house they were in a south facing window and bloomed a couple of times a year, now in our new house we don't have south facing windows and they haven't bloomed in the past 4 years. what should I do.
Hi Alex, Usually with lady slippers they need a more humid potting media and lots of humidity. Since they haven't bloomed in for years, I would try to change your fertilizer. Some lady slippers won't do well in a lower pH either, so if your water is 5.5, try to get that to 6.5 or closer to 7.
To answer the lighting issue ... you simply need to add a light source. There are many smaller table top lightings available. Or ... you can do what I do when I'm home. I take them for walks. Move them from window to window as needed.
Hi Christina Chen, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped. Used tea bags will work extremely well, too.
Hi Ann, You can you the leftover tea bag in your water cycle. Even though the tea bag has been used, if it still can give off a little tea coloration, then you can still use it. Let the tea bag soak in water just until the water slightly changes color. After you take the bag out, use that water. That way you don't have to open the bag.
Hi Anna, Ice cubes are a way that some commercial orchid sellers found to sell their orchids. It wont kill the orchid but it will not be the best water for it. Since most orchids grow in tropical and subtropical climates, they've never seen a cold day in their life. The cold water actually doesn't hydrate the medium as it should. Where the ice cube leaned against the stem is where the majority of the problems occur. The temperature change kills the plant tissue when in direct contact. So stay away from ice cubes.
Hi Sandra, It's best not to do that because it can cause a lot of stress and sometimes weak orchids will give up the bloom to combat the stress. Having said that, I've repotted before in bloom and nothing happened. Depends a lot on the plant, how much you have to mess with the roots and so on...
@@Orchideria thank you so much ...two of mine are in full bloom which will likely last til end of May and they're growing sideways no out of he pot so I've been watching them but their blooms are lovely right now
Hi Joyce Flower Shed, Thanks for commenting. I have tried banana peels and have had some good and bad results. I made a video about it here: ua-cam.com/video/cMgW0IW6OG0/v-deo.html I hope it helps.
@@Orchideria No worries! I've tried it, it didn't work for me! ;) ...maybe it's the irish climate or the tea brand... I just wanted others to know that it can happen so be careful...
If all you're after is calcium and magnesium--which are usually supplied separately to NPK--then just use CalMag. Get the farm grade CalMag instead of the hippie horticulture one, as it will have the correct calcium to magnesium ratio and is much more concentrated. A five litre bottle will last for a long time and you can do all your plants and garden with it. That analysis quoted in the video is actually quite variable and not to be relied upon. Some imported teas contain amounts of heavy metals that will accumulate in potting media over time. Not too worried about those but, this kind of "hack" approach to fertilizing is likely to produce all sorts of results. What is the effect on the orchids on the long term use of tea as fertilizer, considering the large amounts of polyphenols and tannins in tea? You're still missing the macro nutrient sulfur and supplying unknown (if any) trace elements. The point of fertilizing plants is to use the right amounts of specific nutrients as per plant needs. This video is right along the lines of using various "things" instead of using complete and balanced nutrients of known composition in known form. Many a plant suffer from this kind of approach. I dont see camelia sinensis or derivative human products (tea) as a fertilizer for orchids in nature, so using tea makes less sense than using real fertilizer made for plants to grow.
Hi Chris, Thanks for watching the video and leaving a comment. I use CalMag and am aware of it's components. My orchids have always reacted well to it. I wrote the article and made the video about this because some growers don't want to use chemically produced fertilizer supplements and this is a way around that, kind of like a hack.
@@Orchideria : that's what i thought this is about. Using "things" because anecdotal evidence that pleases the irrational modern organics crowd. the foundations of modern organics movements are not legitimate and represent an irrational response to certain companies prescribing too much NPK to farmers, for pure profit. This was decades ago and agro-tech and growers have become a lot wiser. This synthetic vs not, is a complete mis-representation of real issues. When you use tea as some sort of fertilizer with unknown full analysis, it sets you up for that rollercoaster ride of organic camp hacks that have no substantive efficacy evidence. Wastes of time and money doing things the wizard brew way. If you havent done this regularly to orchids, you're using the unsuspecting viewers to be guinea pigs. Orchid owners want correct information that results in predictable outcomes. Not to hurt their orchids, as long as using non-synthetic inputs. Tea producers use NPK synthetic fertilizer, as part of growth nutrition. Whilst generally little if any chemical processing of tea is required; it's not a natural process and neither is consumption of this product by brewing the invented product.
I didnt say I haven't done the tea method regularly, just that I am aware of CalMag. The tea method works. Suggesting that I am using viewers as guinea pigs is a bit much. If you don't like the tea method, than that's ok. Each to his own.
@@Orchideria : When you said "i use CalMag", i thought you meant that that is your regular calcium and magnesium input. Now you say you're aware of it. So i'm confused. Sorry about my wording regards guinea pigs. It has negative connotations, so i should have used more neutral wording.
Hi Emerick, Either one is fine because you're using a very, very diluted version. I know the concentrations are different with fresh or used, but either way, it's so diluted that either one is fine.
@@Orchideria Living on the Big Island of Hawaii, orchids really do very well here. Many orchid farms. Must me the fresh lava soil and cinders. Mahalo and Aloha from Hawaii!
Hi Barbara, I guess that's where it comes down to who you read and their sources. On my website listed in the link to the videos, I list the sources that I used to find this information.
Hi Fantastica, Tea is a good substitution but not all the time. It would be good to use it sparingly, maybe at most once a month. If you are soaking your orchids, I'd use even less than that. Also the tea doesn't have all the nutrients that your orchids need, so even if you use the tea, you still have to keep up your fertilizer schedule. Thanks for watching! I appreciate it.
I love your videos because you give the science behind your method. Thanks!
Amenda I see that the banana fertilizer work faster for my orchid than the chemical fertilizer, I use the chemical fertilizer so many years, my orchid went big but Wil not rebloom, sinds I see your program, I try it and I see progress, Amenda keep on going with your good work I love it.
what is banana fertilizer? how do u use it?
I started watching your videos recently after I got interested in Orchid plants, I really like the simplicity you have in all your videos,,,
Thank you. I appreciate your comment.
Amanda, I really appreciate your scientific approach to orchid care. The more I research, the more confused I get. I will come to your site for questions from now on.
Before reading your information on using banana skins for fertilizer, I baked then powdered banana skins and sprinkled the powder on my plants. Within weeks everyone had a bloom spike. In two years I had never had a re-bloom so I was thrilled. Now I fear I have hastened the death of my "girls." What should I do?
Also, I have bacterial black spot on two leaves of a Dancing Lady Dendrobium that has just finished flowering. I have her isolated and in low light. Should I just remove the two leaves rather than treat with Physan 20?
Thanks,
Frances
Thanks a lot for clarifying the "Tea" method. I do have a couple which are in ICU, (those I "rescued" from a Nursery) and the tea soak is what they need (I think). Thanks a mill!!
They'll love the tea soak!
Just found you…so excited
You explain content so well, a beginner gets what your saying 🙏🏻
The teabag method has worked for me really well, however I have not used it as fertilizer... ive soaked rescues in diluted brewed tea with a little lemon, just to help them along... 80% of the time with success
Hi Ninja Orchids! Thank you for your comment. By the way, I'm loving your channel and learning a lot, too. :)
Too cute at the end. Thanks for the advice. -J.
Your information is great, but most of all you have a great sense of humor which is great to see its funny and enjoy your videos. Thank you for you great humor and information.
Thank you for your comment! :) I apprecaite it
I am going to start using this for my orchids.♥️ thank you !
Sue from NZ. My Orchid has just finished flowering, so I will definitely give the tea bags a go. I have the white variety and always looks so nice. Thank you for your guidance. I will let you know how it grows.
Hi Susan Kerr, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped.
Thanks for sharing this info, will be trying this hint to fertilize mine. God bless and stay safe!
Hi Michele, Thanks for the comment!
Lol..your bloopers are so cute. Today i am going to try the cal mag/epsom salt fertilizer ive heard so much about. My orchids are doing so well im kind of afraid to...well...if it aint broke, dont fix it scenario but instead of my reg store orchid fertilizer will kick it up a notch. .i do have a vanda thats been trying to commit suicide for like 6-7 monthes now ( long story) but i think i will try the tea bag for it. I wont let her die!!
Thank you for a great video..i like that your not so serious about stuff lol.
Have a great saturday!!
Thank you! :) Yeah, if your orchids are doing well, then it's best not to change your care methods and just keep doing what you're doing. If you happen to try a new method, then use tiny doses and see how they react. As for the Vanda, how much light does it get?
This year I used an orchid plant feed from the garden centre. My orchids have just about flowered once this year compared to up to three times a year using tea bags as a fertiliser in previous years. I went back to feeding with a teabag and low and behold my orchids are beginning to flower.
Hi Sandy, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. Oh wow--three times a year! That is great news! I'm so glad that this worked and that you shared your experience with tea bags. That's fascinating.
@@Orchideria I m literally stunt!
Sandy Beach can you please share what type of plant you used as tea to fertiliseorchids?
Wow... Would love to know what kind of tea you use too
A lot of information, All we need to know about orchids thank you very much.
I'm glad it helped. 😀 Thank you for leaving a comment
Hello, my question has nothing to do with tea. What is the name of that beautiful paphiopedilum? It so pretty. Thank you for the information on how to use tea. Our well water is quite acidic, is tea a good option for me? It’s been a while since I’ve checked, but it’s in the 5.5 range.
Thanks for your tips.. what is a good fertilizer?
Hi Edith, Thank you for commenting. I recommend watching a video on my channel about NPK ratios and what they mean. This will help on deciding what fertilizer to use. Also, there is another video about 5 fertilizing techniques that you can use. If you can't find a good product in your area, try to look for a garden fertilizer that has 20-20-20 ratio.
Thank you for the very informative video.
I have a couple of orchids that are in dire need of some TLC.
I have researched but, unfortunately everything I have come across that could probably help is in another language lol, which even after watching it I wasn’t able to understand and gave up, so imagine how excited I was to come across your channel!!!
Thanks for sharing
Hi Tiny Kitchen Big Flavor, Thank you so much for your comment. Made my day!
Excellent instructions! thank you so much
Due to inexperience I am still learning what to do with orchids. I have killed a number of them due to this fact. I have been watching several of your various videos on how to care for orchids and am going to try some of your methods that you have provided in this video and others. Thank you very much for your insight.
Hi Lora, I'm glad the videos helped. 😊
thank you so much for sharing very informative
Hi Malia Empowered, I like your username. Very creative. 😊 Thanks for watching my videos. I appreciate it.
Hello, thanks for your videos, can I use the third method together with orchid fertilizer?
Thank you.
Drink lots of tea so this is going to be excellent for me
Thanks dear,Amanda
Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for watching!
will try thank you
Great information as always! Thank you.
Hi Ian, Thank you for leaving a comment! I appreciate it.
Hi dear sis!
I'm orchid lover❤️
It's good to hear what you are sharing because it's very informative.
Can we use chamomile tea for the orchids?
Thanks and hope to have your reply 🙏🙏
Hi Adeline. I haven't used chamomile, but what I've read is that it is the same as a herbal tea, with a pH around 7. So the same effects will still apply.
Well explained thanks a lot.
Hi Caring Ibuna, Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.
Thank You for sharing. Did not know this. Thank You! Have a fantastic day
Hi Michael, I'm glad the video helped. Thanks for watching.
Oh, my how beautiful what type is that orchid, the first one? It's beautiful!!!
Lol, your videos make me laugh, you're so cute and sweet. Yes, keep these vids coming, they're very helpful. Even though I've been growing plants for years, I just recently started growing orchids and really appreciate the time you take to share what works for you and you're pleasant on top of that. God bless you!😇
Hi Melissa, Thank you so much for your comment. :) I appreciate it.
@@Orchideria Hi, darlin! You're very welcome, my dear.😇
i just transferred my orchids to water your new and I think I did it right I hope I need to get some kind of food for the orchid. What do you recommend?
Thank you for sharing Amanda!❤️🥰❤️🥰
Hi Aida, Thanks for watching. I appreciate it.
Hi Amanda, my orchid is in good health but would like to give them some tea. Is unflavoured black tea good for them? And how often can I do this?
Amazing collection 😍
I will try the black tea...lightly.
Hi Diana, It does seem strange at first, but you're right at going slow (lightly). See how they react and if they show positive signs, keep increasing. The first time I heard of using tea I was like... yeah, right... But I was positively surprised.
I got so much out of this video. You covered everything I wanted to know about using tea with orchids. Will all orchid varieties benefit from tea?
Hi Liz, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped. So far, I haven't had too many orchids complain about the tea. Some orchids have more sensitive reactions to changes in nutrients and don't like to vary much, but they didn't fold up and die, or even crinkle. Catasetums are one example. They just didn't develop as much as others. So it didn't hurt them, but didn't help them either.
Thanks for the interesting video.
Thanks for watching!
Love your videos!!! Could you please show a video on how to use molasses. Thanks😍😍😍
Thank you Amanda 🤗🤗🤗
Hi Serena, Thank you for watching. I appreciate it. 🙏
Hi I am just starting out I just wanted to know if decaffeinated tea will also work?
I use used tea bag.my Orchids are grow so well.ii apply to my Orchids for years.
Hi Elisabeth Sule, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped.
Elisabeth ,what plant is that tea?
Thank you very much ❤️
Hi Berta, Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I appreciate it.
I'm going to try it with black tea. Do I use one cup of warm water and then add the water to my orchid. Awesome video 😇🙏
Hi Jill,
I let the tea come to room temperature first. Hot water can be just as harmful or more harmful than the warmer water can. Even though warn water won't hurt, the hot water will. I'm not very good with measurements, but I just dilute it as best as I can, because in orchid care less is more. Please keep me updated to know how your orchids reacted.
....... Your comment about calcium is very valuable to me. My fertilizer DOES have all micronutrients, but NOT calcium, so, tomorrow, I shall be preparing egg shells, thank you!
Hi Rare and Wonderful , I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped. I love your username, by the way.
I love your "blooper" comments😂😂😂 and thanks for your handy info.
Lol Thanks
Very informative
Hi Little BuDs Vlog, Thank you! I appreciate it.
Thank You so much.🌅🤔🇩🇰🇺🇸💙
Following your advice ,thank you. Have one Orchid about to Bloom again. Is a beautiful Pink blossom.🤗🙏🇺🇸🇩🇰🌅
Greetings! Do you know what form the Ca and Mg are in the tea? I am asking to confirm that these elements are soluble in water and available for the roots to absorb and the orchid to use. Thanks!
Hi VolleyballNow1, That's a good question. From what I researched, most all forms of Calcium are water soluble, so when you use tea, which has mostly calcium carbonate and calcium citrate, they will be absorbed. I am not sure about the Magnesium, but will look into it.
@@Orchideria magnesium is probably just as soluble as the calcium and phosphorous, it is one of the essentials people are looking for when they make bone broths.
Thank you Amanda
😘for midnight
Amenda if I use banana fertilizer on my orchid, after how many time I will see result on my orchid?
Hi Svenn, I am still studying about the banana water, so I don't have an answer for you. What I can prove, is that any fertilizer needs at least three weeks to show small improvements, but it needs to be long term to have any real effects. So if you choose to use this method of fertilizer, only one application won't be enough.
Does this apply to terrestrial orchids as well? Like a Jewel orchid?
I own one orchid. What are your feelings about watering the orchid from water from a fish tank (I keep several freshwater tanks) as a means of fertilization?
Water from a fish tank should be high in nitrogen, so I'd think it was fine.
just add a few banana peels to the tea over night, and you ll get all the stuff the orchids need.
Hi Amanda, all of your Orchids are GORGEOUS but your Pink Lady Slipper Orchid is BREATHTAKING!! Based on your "water culture" video, I finally have about three of my Orchids in full water culture. Once has already grown 5 roots which was shocking. One is a rescue Orchid that's finally grown two roots, and one is a large one with a green spike that already flowered so it's cut back and I'm hoping it reblooms. I want to start fertilizing them with more natural fertilizers like tea, Epsom salts etc., so thank you for this video.💕🥰🙏🏼
Hi dear, can you show banana peel water….how and when I can use in my orchid in water culture….plsss
Hi Dina's Tiny World. Thank you for watching and for leaving a comment. I appreciate it. The banana peel water is actually on my list of videos to make. It's been something I've been wanting to do for a long time now. I should have it done next month. :)
Thank you for the info! Loved the bloopers. What a fun!
Hahaha... I had fun making this video. :)
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing all the facts that you did! Your video was the most helpful I've watched, out of what felt like hundreds, So I thought you Deserved a Special THANK YOU!¡!¡!
°☆•Much Appreciated!!•☆°
HI Amenda I have good news, that banana peel fertilizer work good for my vanda orchid and my phal, I have a lot of vanda orchid and phal. that never rebloom sind I bought them, al
Sinds I use the banana peel fertilizer I see a spike on one of my vanda Orchide that will never rebloom sinds I have it, I hope it is a spike and not a root, it is close to the krown, and my phal, I see that the roots starts to grow, its about six weeks now sinds I use the banana fertilizer
Hi Svenn, Thank you for the update! I am working still on writing an article about banana water and it's still not done. Your input is so encouraging to read.
Never knew tea could be used as a fertilizer
Which tea is best? Black? I'm a little confused on soaking or sprinkling. Help
same, she talks a lot but doesn't clarify
I have a question:
Does bark media needs to be fertilized even if the plant has been recently repotted with fresh bark media?
Another question:
As the media breaks down does it produce NPK?
And thank you so much for all your very informative videos!!!😀
Hi Estevan, Some barks have been fertilized while other brands have not, and it's just the pure wood chips. In either case, I would wait a week or two after repotting just so the orchid doesn't get an overload of nutrients. It's already adjusting to the change, so adding fertilizer ontop the fertilized bark may do some harm. It won't kill the orchid, but it may turn a few leaf tips brown.
What do you think of putting ground egg shells in the growing medium? I grind egg shells and pour them on my other flowers
Hi Sandra,
Thank you for watching my video. I appreciate it.
I was sold on the eggshell method years ago, but am slowly changing my mind. I had used eggshells and had positive results, but I think that my orchids were a bit calcium deprived.
Since I switched over to using Cal-Mag, Ive had better results. They work, but only as a fine powder. I made a video a while back about it that you can watch here: ua-cam.com/video/aSIzYxQmnYI/v-deo.html but I would really crush those eggshells well. The part I changed my mind was about the size of the eggshells pieces. The powder would have better results, more so than bigger chunks.
Calicium nitrate give very good result.
Is it OK to use consumed tea leaves.How beneficial it for ORCHIDS.
Hi Thushara, I haven't tried tea that way with my orchids. My guess would be that it is too strong, since you'd just want a small amount of tea and not the full tea as used when consumed. In my experience, the tea method is excellent.
I have tried everything to get my lady slipper orchids to bloom.. In our old house they were in a south facing window and bloomed a couple of times a year, now in our new house we don't have south facing windows and they haven't bloomed in the past 4 years. what should I do.
Hi Alex, Usually with lady slippers they need a more humid potting media and lots of humidity. Since they haven't bloomed in for years, I would try to change your fertilizer. Some lady slippers won't do well in a lower pH either, so if your water is 5.5, try to get that to 6.5 or closer to 7.
To answer the lighting issue ... you simply need to add a light source. There are many smaller table top lightings available. Or ... you can do what I do when I'm home. I take them for walks. Move them from window to window as needed.
nice
Ised tea bags right?
How about use used teabags n make some more tea? Shd b very dilute!
Hi Christina Chen, I’m sorry it took so long for me to write you back about your comment. I was on vacation and didn’t log onto my UA-cam. Thanks for commenting on my video. I appreciate it and was glad it helped. Used tea bags will work extremely well, too.
Can you use tea from bags that hasn't been used.
Yes, just dilute it until it's very light
What is the best use for "used" tea left in bag? 🌿
Hi Ann, You can you the leftover tea bag in your water cycle. Even though the tea bag has been used, if it still can give off a little tea coloration, then you can still use it. Let the tea bag soak in water just until the water slightly changes color. After you take the bag out, use that water. That way you don't have to open the bag.
I heard you should use ice to water them is that true
Hi Anna, Ice cubes are a way that some commercial orchid sellers found to sell their orchids. It wont kill the orchid but it will not be the best water for it. Since most orchids grow in tropical and subtropical climates, they've never seen a cold day in their life. The cold water actually doesn't hydrate the medium as it should. Where the ice cube leaned against the stem is where the majority of the problems occur. The temperature change kills the plant tissue when in direct contact. So stay away from ice cubes.
@@annazelenyj5034 Ice cubes burn the roots, trust me, I know that by experience. 😇
Can I repot an orchid that's in bloom
Hi Sandra, It's best not to do that because it can cause a lot of stress and sometimes weak orchids will give up the bloom to combat the stress. Having said that, I've repotted before in bloom and nothing happened. Depends a lot on the plant, how much you have to mess with the roots and so on...
@@Orchideria thank you so much ...two of mine are in full bloom which will likely last til end of May and they're growing sideways no out of he pot so I've been watching them but their blooms are lovely right now
I use banana skins to fertilize ..
Hi Joyce Flower Shed, Thanks for commenting. I have tried banana peels and have had some good and bad results. I made a video about it here: ua-cam.com/video/cMgW0IW6OG0/v-deo.html I hope it helps.
I sprinkled a bit of a (black)tea bag content on the bark: all it did to me is the soil got moldy!! :S
Oh no... That wasn't supposed to happen! I'm so sorry!
@@Orchideria No worries! I've tried it, it didn't work for me! ;) ...maybe it's the irish climate or the tea brand... I just wanted others to know that it can happen so be careful...
If all you're after is calcium and magnesium--which are usually supplied separately to NPK--then just use CalMag. Get the farm grade CalMag instead of the hippie horticulture one, as it will have the correct calcium to magnesium ratio and is much more concentrated. A five litre bottle will last for a long time and you can do all your plants and garden with it. That analysis quoted in the video is actually quite variable and not to be relied upon. Some imported teas contain amounts of heavy metals that will accumulate in potting media over time. Not too worried about those but, this kind of "hack" approach to fertilizing is likely to produce all sorts of results. What is the effect on the orchids on the long term use of tea as fertilizer, considering the large amounts of polyphenols and tannins in tea? You're still missing the macro nutrient sulfur and supplying unknown (if any) trace elements. The point of fertilizing plants is to use the right amounts of specific nutrients as per plant needs. This video is right along the lines of using various "things" instead of using complete and balanced nutrients of known composition in known form. Many a plant suffer from this kind of approach. I dont see camelia sinensis or derivative human products (tea) as a fertilizer for orchids in nature, so using tea makes less sense than using real fertilizer made for plants to grow.
Hi Chris, Thanks for watching the video and leaving a comment. I use CalMag and am aware of it's components. My orchids have always reacted well to it. I wrote the article and made the video about this because some growers don't want to use chemically produced fertilizer supplements and this is a way around that, kind of like a hack.
@@Orchideria : that's what i thought this is about. Using "things" because anecdotal evidence that pleases the irrational modern organics crowd. the foundations of modern organics movements are not legitimate and represent an irrational response to certain companies prescribing too much NPK to farmers, for pure profit. This was decades ago and agro-tech and growers have become a lot wiser. This synthetic vs not, is a complete mis-representation of real issues. When you use tea as some sort of fertilizer with unknown full analysis, it sets you up for that rollercoaster ride of organic camp hacks that have no substantive efficacy evidence. Wastes of time and money doing things the wizard brew way. If you havent done this regularly to orchids, you're using the unsuspecting viewers to be guinea pigs. Orchid owners want correct information that results in predictable outcomes. Not to hurt their orchids, as long as using non-synthetic inputs. Tea producers use NPK synthetic fertilizer, as part of growth nutrition. Whilst generally little if any chemical processing of tea is required; it's not a natural process and neither is consumption of this product by brewing the invented product.
I didnt say I haven't done the tea method regularly, just that I am aware of CalMag. The tea method works. Suggesting that I am using viewers as guinea pigs is a bit much. If you don't like the tea method, than that's ok. Each to his own.
@@Orchideria : When you said "i use CalMag", i thought you meant that that is your regular calcium and magnesium input. Now you say you're aware of it. So i'm confused. Sorry about my wording regards guinea pigs. It has negative connotations, so i should have used more neutral wording.
@@Chris-op7yt I appreciate the information in this thread. I had never heard of Call Mag., will look into using it.
Thank you both for sharing.
интернетовкие советы,от чая будут мушки
Are you using used tea or fresh tea?
Hi Emerick, Either one is fine because you're using a very, very diluted version. I know the concentrations are different with fresh or used, but either way, it's so diluted that either one is fine.
@@Orchideria Living on the Big Island of Hawaii, orchids really do very well here. Many orchid farms. Must me the fresh lava soil and cinders. Mahalo and Aloha from Hawaii!
I' got deodumins for three years It's healthy but not flowering
Wat do I use
Black tea
I read it was the tannins in tea. ? And it had to be black tea. Who knows.
Hi Barbara, I guess that's where it comes down to who you read and their sources. On my website listed in the link to the videos, I list the sources that I used to find this information.
Used tea bags or unused tea bags
If you make too much then don't worry as I believe you can drink it. ☕😀
Hi Gareth, That's true!! ☕ Thanks for watching my video!
I usually water my orchids every 10 days for 10-15 minutes and fertilize once a month. Can I soak them in tea instead of water?
Hi Fantastica, Tea is a good substitution but not all the time. It would be good to use it sparingly, maybe at most once a month. If you are soaking your orchids, I'd use even less than that. Also the tea doesn't have all the nutrients that your orchids need, so even if you use the tea, you still have to keep up your fertilizer schedule. Thanks for watching! I appreciate it.
You are so gorgeous. 👍👏👏👏👏👏
Hehehe.... uhm... Thank you.
This is a old remedy with the tea for the orchids.
Hi Sylleke,
Sometimes the old remedies are the best. 😊
@@Orchideria it is indeed🥰
💐😊 A little bit complicated so I prefer not to use this method, thanks.
Hi Nabiha, Thanks for leaving a comment.
It us pronounced
Polly- pro-puh- lean.
It would help if only she would get to the point!
Thanks for sharing this info, will be trying this hint to fertilize mine. God bless and stay safe!
Hi Michele, Thank you for leaving the comment. I appreciate it. :)
I appreciate the information