The properties of garlic have been known for a long time. This vegetable plant can strengthen the immune system, help you cope with colds faster, and also become an excellent addition as a spice when preparing a particular dish. Perhaps one would think that this is where all the properties of garlic end, but this is not so, since the vegetable provides invaluable benefits in floriculture. Garlic water for orchids is famous for its miraculous methods, which is why it has become so popular, and most importantly, it is cheap.
Regular garlic water is a solution that is a tincture of garlic. During infusion, this vegetable plant “gives off” many beneficial properties to the liquid. The result is an excellent concentrate that can fight many orchid pests, stimulate orchid growth and help with flower development.
Useful properties of the infusion
It is no secret that garlic contains many useful microelements, vitamins and organic acids. In addition, garlic has antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. It is these qualities that are useful for preparing additional plant nutrition.
Feeding orchids with garlic water will provide the following results:
- garlic as an antiseptic helps fight various pests of indoor flowers;
- stimulates the orchid to actively develop the root system, increase foliage, growth and development of buds;
- creates a preventive effect against infections and root rot;
- supports immunity, and during transplantation helps to quickly adapt to a new place;
- promotes soil disinfection by pest germs.
What is the benefit
It influences the plant as a top dressing and protects the soil. The result of using garlic for an indoor orchid:
- stimulation of active growth of the root system;
- restoration of leaf density and fleshiness (turgor);
- stimulation of flowering;
- protecting the flower from pests;
- treatment of infectious and fungal diseases;
Prepared garlic water for orchids is a budget-friendly feeding option and a means of preventing pests and diseases
- plant adaptation after transplantation;
- assistance in awakening after the winter period;
- maintaining immunity;
- restorative effect.
For the soil in which the orchid grows, garlic infusion will help:
- getting rid of larvae and embryos of pests;
- prevention against parasites, fungi and infections;
- saturating the soil with useful minerals and microelements for a long time.
Delicate orchid loves garlic baths
When can it be used
Please note that this method can be used at any time of the year, but some circumstances should be taken into account:
- Garlic infusion should be watered once every two weeks;
- be sure to alternate this method with regular watering;
- monitor the freshness of the garlic solution by replacing it with a new one in time;
- strictly follow the recipe, an overdose threatens death for the capricious orchid.
What to avoid when processing:
- This method cannot be used during flowering and dormant periods;
- garlic water cannot be used to spray flowers, otherwise the buds and petals may die;
- do not use this method to immerse roots during flowering;
- You cannot use the tincture more than twice.
If all recommended conditions are correctly met, the orchid will produce a new peduncle within two weeks.
Possible mistakes
For some gardeners, the use of natural stimulants and fertilizers becomes the only way to care for orchids. But you cannot take garlic infusion as the only remedy for all problems with the flower.
In addition to using a water infusion of garlic, constant good care is important for orchids. Natural fertilizers cannot compensate for improper lighting, low air humidity, high or low room temperature. It is also important to observe the biological development cycles of the epiphyte and grow the flower in a substrate suitable for it.
How to do it yourself
Today you can buy any fertilizer for orchids in flower shops. We offer an effective and simple feeding recipe that a housewife can easily make on her own at home. The resulting fertilizer is no worse than purchased fertilizer, and the savings are obvious. Therefore, before purchasing expensive fungicides, we suggest using several recipes.
Recipe No. 1
To make garlic water you will need:
- 170 g garlic;
- 1 liter of filtered or distilled water;
- 2 liter jar with lid.
Cooking method:
- Peel the garlic and pass the cloves through a garlic press to chop.
- Pour 1 liter of warm (30–40 °C) water into a jar.
- Place the garlic pulp in a jar prepared in advance and close the lid tightly.
- Place the prepared solution in a cool, dark place to infuse.
- After 24 hours, the fertilizer is ready for use. Use as needed and store remaining liquid in the refrigerator.
Before use, the solution should be filtered through two layers of gauze.
Recipe No. 2
Please note that the garlic solution (concentrate) prepared according to this recipe must be further diluted.
Peel one garlic and pour 1 liter of warm boiled water. After steeping for 20 minutes, the fertilizer is ready for use. In this case, the resulting solution is diluted in the following proportion: 3 tbsp. l. infusion of 1 liter of boiled water.
Recipe No. 3
Succinic acid is added to this recipe, which improves the growth process, stimulates the formation of new flower growers, and increases the resistance of domestic plants to adverse factors. You will need 1 tablet of succinic acid, purchased at a pharmacy, per 1 liter of hot water (the tablet will not dissolve in warm water). Next, the water should be cooled and followed according to the instructions in recipe No. 1. We pay special attention to the fact that garlic fertilizer, which contains succinic acid, is stored for three days after preparation.
Recipe No. 4
The easiest way to combat midges and parasites that have settled in the soil of a flowerpot is to bury a peeled clove of garlic at a shallow depth in a flowerpot. The result does not take long to arrive.
The benefits of garlic and succinic acid for orchids
The first and most important component of our feeding is garlic . It contains antioxidants, mineral salts, organic acids, which are in a form accessible to plants, are easily digestible and quickly begin to work. Garlic has the following effects on the orchid:
- fights viruses and infections;
- inhibits the spread of fungi;
- strengthens the immune system;
- repels insects and pests.
The second component of the fertilizer is succinic acid . It is a natural stimulator of plant growth and flowering. It is already found in small doses in plants, but sometimes this is not enough. And in order to see beautiful flowering, we need to make up for the possible deficiency of this element.
Succinic acid is available in the form of white tablets, sold in any pharmacy and costs about 20 rubles. For plants it performs the following functions:
- strengthens the immune system;
- promotes the development of the root system;
- increases plant resistance to fungi and diseases;
- stimulates growth and flowering.
Watering rules
Processing with this method can be carried out in two ways:
- root (orchid in a pot is immersed in a container with garlic infusion);
- foliar (the solution is sprayed on the leaves and stems of the plant).
When root impregnation, you need to fill a bucket with water and pour all the concentrate into it (see recipe No. 2), then place the orchid there in a double-walled pot. The water in the bucket should cover 2/3 of the pot. The flower can be in the solution from 40 minutes to 3 hours. After this time, the flowerpot is removed and placed in a basin to drain off excess liquid. After half an hour, the orchid is returned to its usual place.
If foliar feeding is necessary, garlic water (see recipe No. 1) is placed in a spray bottle and the leaves and stems are treated with it. The remaining unused garlic solution can be watered over other home crops.
Use our advice, but remember: in order for a pampered orchid to please you with new delicate and fragrant petals, in addition to nourishment, it requires proper light and thermal conditions.
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Reviews
Valentina, 42 years old
My experiment with garlic water did not yield any results at first. I tried this remedy on a problem orchid whose growth had stopped. It did not produce new leaves, did not bloom, and generally had a somewhat lifeless appearance. After several feedings there was no result and I stopped watering with garlic. Improvements became noticeable only after a few weeks. The orchid began to grow and even a flower stalk appeared. Therefore, to see the result, you need to be patient.
Svetlana, 48 years old
Four months passed after purchasing my orchid, but the promised growth and flowering did not happen. It still stands with lifeless leaves. Then I decided to try pouring garlic infusion over it. I left it in the solution for 3 hours and additionally sprayed the solution on the leaves. The result of this treatment became noticeable after a couple of weeks. Several roots appeared and a peduncle began to grow. I didn't even expect such a result.
What is included in the mixture?
The recipe presented usually contains only garlic and water. For preparation, use settled or filtered water. It is also acceptable to use distilled water. Garlic is peeled and chopped using a sharp knife, grater or garlic press.
Many gardeners add succinic acid to garlic infusion . This substance enhances the beneficial properties of fertilizing: the buds become elastic, the flowers become lush and bright, the root system is strengthened.
Tip : Treatment with garlic water with the addition of succinic acid is best done after cold weather. This mixture will allow the orchid to adapt faster and easier after winter.
Half a tablet of succinic acid is required for 500 ml of liquid. It only needs to be diluted in hot water (first dilute the acid, wait until it cools and add chopped garlic). The shelf life of the infusion with acid is no more than 3 days .
Description of feeding
Garlic is considered a powerful anti-infective and antibacterial agent. It contains a large number of useful substances, including:
- mineral salts;
- phosphorus;
- magnesium;
- iron;
- calcium;
- sodium;
- zinc;
- essential oils;
- organic acids;
- antioxidants.
Pests, parasites and harmful bacteria cannot resist its caustic juice. For plants, a water tincture of garlic cloves is used. Benefits for orchids:
- getting rid of pests;
- prevention of parasites;
- activation of leaf growth;
- stimulation of peduncle formation;
- increasing the flowering period;
- strengthening the immune system;
- elimination of micronutrient deficiency.
Regular watering with garlic water will strengthen the plant and give it strength for long, abundant flowering.
During the period of bud formation, experts recommend stopping all types of fertilizing, but watering the blooming phalaenopsis with a garlic preparation can and should be done to maintain the strength of the orchid.
Contraindications
Using this method of healing a plant is not always useful. Garlic water treatment may be harmful if:
- The flowering period has arrived, this will lead to the destruction of the buds.
- Carry out garlic healing more than three times a month.
- Feed the orchid without interruption. The procedure must be carried out alternating it with watering in the usual way or using the immersion method.
- The garlic water has begun the fermentation process.
Precautionary measures
During what phases of a plant’s life should the drug not be treated? Under no circumstances should an orchid be treated when it is at rest. Wait until its growth is activated and feel free to use succinic acid.
avoid treating a flowering plant ; it is best to postpone it until the last flower has faded and dried up.
What can happen if the solution gets into the leaf axils?
Drops of water that have flowed into the base of the leaf can cause rot not only of the leaf blade , but also those adjacent to it, and in the worst case, rotting of the orchid’s neck.
Personal Safety Measures
Succinic acid is non-toxic, so there are no precautions in preparing the solution . It can even be cooked in a kitchen utensil. In this case, you should give preference to plastic, glass or ceramic containers.
Garlic water recipe
To prepare a healing infusion you will need:
- garlic-200 gr.;
- pressure press;
- shallow saucer;
- jar or other container;
- pure water.
- Pass the peeled garlic through a press.
- Place the mixture in a saucer.
- Take a jar and pour about a liter of water into it.
- Add garlic to water. Its temperature should be about 10 °C.
- Place the solution in a dark and cool place (refrigerator) for 5-7 days.
Then the solution can be used for its intended purpose.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any other remedy, garlic solution has a number of significant advantages and some disadvantages.
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Preparation of garlic solution
To prepare the infusion, you need warm, settled water t 34-36C and garlic passed through a press at the rate of 1 medium clove per 1 liter of water . The amount of solution depends on the number of flowers (every housewife knows the approximate volume of water for one watering).
The prepared solution is thoroughly mixed, left at room temperature for several hours - from 1 to 3, you can even leave it overnight - it does not matter.
Immediately before the watering procedure, the infusion must be filtered, heated again to 35C and watered the orchids in the manner described above.
Answers on questions
Question No. 1. Is it possible to prepare garlic water for future use so as not to have to prepare it immediately before watering?
Garlic infusion prepared according to a standard recipe can be stored for up to 6 months in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place, preferably in the refrigerator. After this period, the beneficial properties of garlic water are lost. It should be taken into account that an infusion prepared exclusively from garlic, without the addition of other ingredients, can be stored for a long time. Thus, a product with succinic acid should be used within the next few hours from the moment of manufacture.
Tip #1 . The garlic water remaining after processing orchids can be used to water other ornamental or vegetable crops growing in balcony boxes or in open ground.
Question No. 2. How to choose the right garlic for making infusion?
Before purchasing, you should mash the garlic in your hand. The head should be dry and firm to the touch. If the cloves are not palpable and squash when pressed, it means that the garlic was most likely harvested ahead of schedule and will most likely quickly dry out and wither. You should not buy garlic that has a lot of excess peel. This is another evidence that he has withered.
How to combine with other means
Garlic water combines well with other means for feeding and treating orchids. It is used as a basis for the preparation of complex preparations.
succinic acid
In combination with garlic, it can strengthen a weak plant, increase its immunity, give strength to the roots and stimulate the process of photosynthesis. Use in the proportion of 1 tablet per liter of garlic tincture. First, the acid is dissolved in hot water and cooled to room temperature, and then combined with the tincture.
The drug “Kornevin”
When transplanting a young plant, comprehensive support is used. To speed up the adaptation process, before planting the roots are impregnated with the preparation, and after a few days the orchid is fed at the root or outside with garlic water.
Indications for use
Orchids are watered with garlic water both for prevention and to eliminate obvious signs of trouble in the development of the plant:
- general slowdown in growth;
- delay in the formation of peduncles or complete refusal of flowering;
- yellowing, wilting, loss of turgor, falling leaves;
- formation of deformed areas, spots, and areas of rotting on roots and leaves;
- the appearance of midges, bugs, larvae, and other pests in the soil and on the plant.
I am a fundamental opponent of the use of synthetic drugs in indoor floriculture. As a matter of principle, I do not use fertilizers, stimulants, or any other chemicals for care and treatment when growing orchids - I had enough of a bad experience, which resulted in the death of all my flowers. To keep plants healthy, have strong immunity, and not be affected by infections and pests, I use only natural remedies, such as garlic. I add garlic infusion to the water for irrigation. Simple, effective and very economical. One clove is enough to fully nourish an adult plant with a voluminous root system. I immerse the pot with the orchid 2/3 full in garlic water and leave it for 3 hours, after which I let the excess liquid drain through the drainage holes. Along with the beneficial substances necessary for growth and development, the orchid receives powerful protection from all sorts of illnesses.
The presenter of the channel “My Orchid Care” is Olga Demchenko.
