Why You Shouldn’t Use Banana Peel for Orchids?

Like any other plant, orchids need nutrients to grow foliage and produce blooms. To avoid synthetic fertilizers, gardeners opt for home-available remedies to enrich plants.

Banana peel is one such organic fertilizer that has gained much attention from the internet.

Though there is no scientific evidence to back its benefits for indoor plants, anecdotal claims from gardeners can’t be ignored either.

Rich in potassium, banana peel has shown a positive effect when used in crops. But can it benefit indoor flowering plants like orchids?

Lots of myths and facts surround the use of banana peel for orchids.

Banana peel water fertilizer, which is claimed to boost flowering and plant growth, can actually increase fungal growth around orchids.

Second method: Inserting chopped banana peels can take longer to decompose and supply the plant with the required nutrients.

Sun-dried and powdered banana peel can be beneficial for plants. But, it can only provide potassium. As mentioned, orchids need a balanced fertilizer along with secondary nutrients.

The only way method that has proven safe is adding banana peel to the compost.

The decomposition process transfers potassium and other micronutrients from banana peels to the compost, which can be used directly to fertilize orchids.

Below, I mentioned the same in more detail:

Nutrients in Banana Peel for Orchids

Banana peels are a valuable organic resource that can provide essential nutrients for orchids. Here’s a look at what makes them beneficial:

Potassium

Banana peels are rich in potassium, which is crucial for orchids. Potassium aids in regulating water and nutrient movement in plant cells, improving overall plant health. It also helps develop strong roots, enhance flower production, and increase disease resistance.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is another vital nutrient found in banana peels. It supports healthy root growth and is essential for energy transfer within the plant, leading to vigorous growth and blooming.

Calcium

Orchids also benefit from the calcium in banana peels. Calcium strengthens cell walls, promoting sturdy growth and preventing issues like bud drop or blossom end rot.

Magnesium

Banana peels contain magnesium, which is vital for photosynthesis. Magnesium is a central component of chlorophyll, the molecule responsible for capturing light energy.

Trace Elements

Banana peels offer trace elements such as manganese, sodium, and sulfur. These micronutrients, although needed in smaller amounts, play a significant role in various physiological processes in orchids, including enzyme activation and chlorophyll production.

What Nutrients Does Orchids Need to Grow and Flower?

Orchids need a balanced fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In addition to these primary nutrients, orchids need secondary and micronutrients to grow.

Deficiency in any of these nutrients can result in yellowing and wilting of leaves and reduce blooming.

Orchids grown in bark need high levels of nitrogen, so add nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer along with phosphorus and potassium.

• Nitrogen contributes to leaf and stem formation.
• Phosphorus promotes root development and flowering. Deficiency causes poor root growth and delayed blooming.
• Potassium regulates water and nutrient movement and enhances plant health and flower formation—deficiency results in brown leaf tips and weak stems.

Secondary nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are also essential for orchid growth.

They combine to strengthen cell walls and contribute to photosynthesis and protein synthesis.

Fertilizing once in a month with balanced liquid fertilizer will allow the orchid to thrive.

During dormant, half the fertilizer and reduce the frequency.

How to Use Banana Peel for Orchids?

Nutrients in banana peel can’t be ignored. It is rich in potassium and other nutrients.

But remember, orchids need balanced fertilizer, and banana peels lack an equal amount of nitrogen and phosphorus.

It is essential to ensure the plant gets all macronutrients to grow and bloom.

So, don’t rely only on banana peel fertilizer.

Note: Never use potassium-rich banana peel fertilizer on new orchids. Young plants need to concentrate on root and stem formation before producing flowers.

1. Banana Peel Water Fertilizer

• Prepare the Peels: Collect fresh banana peels and cut them into smaller pieces.
• Soak: Place the pieces in a jar or container and fill it with water. Let it soak for 2-3 days to create a nutrient-rich banana peel tea.
• Strain: After soaking, strain the liquid to remove the banana peel pieces.
• Apply: Use the banana peel water to water your orchids. This provides a gentle nutrient boost to the plants.

It can trigger fungal growth around orchids.

Also, the percentage of potassium in water is way less than in the banana peel.

2. Chopped Banana Peel

• Chop: Cut banana peels into small pieces.
• Mix with Soil: Gently mix the chopped peels into the top layer of the orchid’s potting mix.
• Water: Water the orchid as usual. The peels will decompose over time, releasing nutrients directly into the soil.

Placing small pieces of banana peel around the orchids can attract ants and other pests.  

3. Sun-Dried Banana Peel

• Dry: Place banana peels in a sunny spot and let them dry completely until they become crispy.
• Grind: Once dried, grind the peels into a fine powder using a blender or mortar and pestle.
• Apply: Sprinkle the banana peel powder on top of the orchid’s potting mix. Water the plant to help the powder mix with the soil and gradually release nutrients.

It is one of the best ways to use banana peel to fertilize orchids. But remember that just adding powdered banana peel can’t fulfil orchids’ other nutritional needs.

4. Composting Banana Peel

• Compost: Add banana peels to your compost pile along with other organic kitchen waste.
• Mix with Potting Medium: Once the compost is ready, mix it into your orchid’s potting medium. The compost enriches the soil with a balanced array of nutrients, promoting healthy growth and blooming.

Along with kitchen scraps, add banana peels to the compost. The right percentage of green and brown materials can make the well-rotted compost rich in macronutrients.

Conclusion

Internet is filled with claims of blooming orchids using banana peels, but gardening experts don’t agree due to the lack of scientific evidence.

But, higher concentrations of potassium in banana peels can’t be thrown into the dustbin.

So, the best way to reap nutrients in banana peel is to add chopped peels to the compost.

Well-rotted compost has rich amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which can contribute to orchid plant growth and blooming.