I want to share a simple homemade solution I use to care for my orchids. It takes just one clove of garlic and some water. I use it carefully and not too often, whenever I want to freshen up the leaves or give the roots a little extra treatment.
One thing I want to be honest about upfront: garlic water is not a complete fertilizer, and it won’t magically guarantee nonstop blooming. Orchids need the right light, proper watering, and a good balanced orchid fertilizer first and foremost. This is just a nice little supplement I like to use alongside all of that.
Here’s what you need:
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves
- a bit of clean garlic skin, optional
- 4 cups room temperature water
Chop the garlic into small pieces or lightly crush it with the flat of a knife. Put it in a glass jar along with the clean garlic skin if you’re using it, and pour in the room temperature water. Let it steep for 2 to 3 hours, then strain it well. Don’t try to store this, it’s best to make a fresh batch each time you need it.
There are two ways I use it.
The first way is wiping the leaves. I dampen a soft cotton pad in the solution and gently wipe the leaves on both sides. I always test it first on a small spot of one leaf to make sure the plant reacts well. I’m careful not to let any liquid run down into the center of the rosette or onto the buds or flowers, and I never set the orchid in direct sunlight right after treating it.
The second way is watering the roots. I set the orchid pot in a bowl and pour the garlic water over the roots and the growing medium. I let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes, then let all the excess drain away completely.
I only do this about once a month at most. And I don’t recommend wiping the leaves and soaking the roots at the same time, because that can overwhelm the plant. Used gently and sparingly like this, it’s a nice little way to keep the leaves looking fresh and healthy.