Orchids can be encouraged to bloom again by feeding them cooled black tea once a month during autumn, according to scientist-turned-gardener Mary Ellen Ellis of Gardening Know How.
Orchids are among the most popular houseplants, but getting them to flower again after their first display can be challenging. Once the colourful blooms have dropped, many people are left wondering whether their plant will ever flower again.
Why feeding matters
Feeding plays an important role in keeping the houseplant happy and healthy, particularly because potted plants eventually deplete the nutrients available in their growing medium. Ellis notes that you don't necessarily need to reach for an expensive specialist feed, recommending a common kitchen cupboard staple as a gentle homemade source of nitrogen for orchids.
Nitrogen is important for healthy plant growth, but orchids cannot access nitrogen in the same way that many plants grown in soil can. Black tea offers a simple way to provide an additional source of this nutrient without buying a dedicated orchid feed.
How to use black tea
Simply make a cup of plain black tea and let it cool completely before using it to water your houseplant. The important part is that the tea is cool enough before it goes anywhere near the plant, or it could kill it. There is no need to make the tea particularly strong or add anything to it.
Many commercial fertilisers use urea as their nitrogen source, but orchids cannot access nitrogen from urea in the same way as plants growing in soil. In nature, orchids obtain nutrients from decaying plant matter around them, but a potted plant doesn't have access to that same natural supply.
Don't overfeed
Although it might be tempting to think that more feed means more flowers, orchids are very sensitive to overfeeding. That's why this method is recommended once a month throughout autumn and winter, and not every week.
Feeding black tea can help an orchid rebloom, but only if other conditions, such as light, temperature, and humidity, are also met. Other homemade feeding options include banana peels, eggshells, milk and rice water, each offering different nutrients that can contribute to orchid growth.
