Did You Know That Orchids Drink Coffee, Too?

Summary

The article discusses an individual's journey in caring for orchids, including the discovery that used coffee grounds can be beneficial for their growth.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses a personal struggle with keeping orchids alive, despite their love for these flowers. Initially, the author's overattentive care led to the orchid's decline, but through research, they learned that orchids prefer less frequent watering. The author has since improved their orchid care routine, managing to maintain a healthy plant for several months. A novel tip shared in the article is the use of leftover coffee grounds as a nutrient-rich "tea" for orchids, which can be applied to the root base to aid in their growth. The author invites readers to share advice on encouraging orchids to rebloom after losing their flowers.

Opinions

The author has a strong affection for orchids, considering them their favorite plant.
Overwatering and excessive attention can be detrimental to orchids.
The author values the cultural significance of orchids, noting their common presence in Romanian homes.
There is a sense of accomplishment in the author's tone regarding their improved ability to care for orchids.
The author believes in the benefits of coffee grounds for orchids, suggesting it as a practical and eco-friendly fertilizing method.
The author is open to learning and seeks community input on how to make orchids bloom again.

(Orchid-friendly recipe below)

Orchids are my favorite flowers. They always seem so calm and collected and come in all the right colors. Unfortunately for my flowers, though, I did not inherit my grandmother’s green thumb.

When we moved into our first home, my European “mom” brought me an orchid, not necessarily because she knew I loved them, but because every Romanian home has at least one orchid in the window.

I obsessively watered and hovered over it so it would stay alive. Then when it started turning brown and withering despite all of my best efforts, I decided I would put some “research” into it just like I do for my job. Turns out, orchids hate people hovering over them and only want a bit of attention about once or twice a week when they need water. Sorry, orchid.

I decided to do better. The next orchid I got, I got for my child’s teacher. I accidentally left it at home on the first day of school, so I got another plant for the teacher and kept the orchid. I was determined to keep this one alive, and I am doing better. It is still sitting in my window. It’s lost its flowers, but, hey the leaves and stem are still green. …so what, that’s a 6 or 7 month streak? We’re making history.

I started to learn more about my favorite plant and recently learned that it likes coffee. So, that is another thing we have in common. The best part about it is that orchids are happy to reuse your leftovers. So, if you want to drink some coffee with your orchid plant, here’s how.

4. Once or twice a month you can mix 1/3 part of this “coffee tea” into 2/3 cup water and feed your orchid.

Note: Make sure you add this diluted coffee to the root base and not the leaves.

Coffee has nitrogen, antioxidents, and other nutrients, so this “orchid cold brew coffee” should help an orchid out as it grows.

… Now, if any of you have any tips for getting your orchid plant to flower again after it has lost its blooms, please let me know in the comments. ❤

Did You Know That Orchids Drink Coffee, Too?

(Orchid-friendly recipe below)

Making Coffee Ground Tea (Essentially a Cold Brew Coffee for Orchids):

1. Use your left over grounds from your French press, Moka pot, or drip coffee basket and put them in a tupperware container or mason jar.

2. Pour cold water over the used grounds until they are fully covered.

3. Let this mixture sit 24 hours then, filter out the the grounds when it’s done.

4. Once or twice a month you can mix 1/3 part of this “coffee tea” into 2/3 cup water and feed your orchid.