Orchids are one of the most popular houseplants due to their beautiful flowers, but getting them to bloom can be tricky if they have not been fed the right fertiliser. 

It is important that an orchid is being properly cared for and its sunlight, watering or temperature needs have been met, but if they are still not flowering it may be due to a lack of nutrients

Ame Rodríguez, an expert from Be Green, has shared making fertiliser with leftover food scraps is not just cheap but “a gentle and natural way” to give houseplants a boost so that they produce longer-lasting flowers. 

She said: “Homemade organic fertilisers are great because you reduce the amount of waste, as you can use a few to feed your plants [and] being made of recycled materials, they are cheaper and kinder to the environment.” 

It may sound odd but make sure not to throw away any of your banana peels are they are rich in nutrients orchids need to produce healthier blooms and a strong flower spike. 

Ame said: “Bananas are rich in potassium and their peel is brimming with this nutrient that your plant needs to photosynthesise effectively and to build resistance to pests.” 

Bananas not only contain potassium but also contain the nutrient phosphorus, which is essential for flower production, as well as containing small amounts of magnesium that can help roots grow stronger. 

Banana peels are one of the best kitchen scraps to turn into an orchid fertiliser as it contains the most essential nutrients needed for flowering to naturally give the plant a boost. 

How to turn banana peels into a fertiliser for orchids

All you need is one banana peel for one orchid and you should feed the houseplant this fertiliser only once every four weeks, otherwise you risk overfertilisation. 

To begin, place the banana peel in a jar and fill the container with water, then screw the lid on tightly. 

Place the jar somewhere out of sight and leave it to soak for at least 24 hours but no more than 48 hours.

Once the time is up stain the banana peel out of the water, then discard the peel. This is important as rotting fruit left on top of orchid soil can attract insects. 

Make sure to then dilute the banana water so it is one part homemade banana peel fertiliser and four parts normal tap water. 

Then simply pour the water around the base of the plant like you usually would do when watering the plant. 

Monitor the plant to see if the banana peel fertiliser is working, If the leaves turn yellow then there is already enough potassium in the soil and there may be another reason your orchid is not flowering. 

However, if it works it should strengthen the spike to produce bigger and healthier blooms so your orchid will flower for much longer.