Discover the best 9 Benefits of Using Lemon Juice for Orchids and how to use it for flourishing blooms in your home.
Read about the amazing 8 Benefits of Using Lemon Juice for Orchids and how it works for boosting the growth of the plant and producing flowers.
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9 Benefits of Using Lemon Juice for Orchids
1. Wipe the Orchid Foliage with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can also be used to clean the leaves of orchids. For this, mix lemon juice with water using a ratio of 1 part lemon juice to 5 parts water. Soak a sponge in this mixture and gently wipe the leaves to remove dust and dirt. If you notice that the leaves are getting very dirty and plain water isn’t enough to clean them, you can do this cleaning process every 3-4 months.
2. Water Orchids with Diluted Lemon Juice
Orchids prefer acidic conditions for their growth and nourishment, unlike plants that grow in colder regions. Adding lemon juice to the water when watering orchids can be very beneficial.
Here’s a simple way to water your orchid with a lemon juice solution:
- Take a cup and pour 7 fluid ounces (200 mL) of warm water into it.
- Add 10 drops of lemon juice to the water.
- Place the orchid in the lemon juice solution and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the orchid from the solution and put it back in its original location.
- Repeat this watering method using lemon juice no more than once a month.
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3. Preserve Cut Flowers Using Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can help preserve cut orchids for your vase. To make a preservation solution;
- Mix two teaspoons of lemon juice
- One teaspoon of chlorine-free bleach
- Add one teaspoon of regular sugar in 3 liters of lukewarm water.
Pour this mixture into the vase, ensuring that it covers about one-third of the stem length. By using this solution, your cut orchid blooms can last for 3-4 weeks.
4. Control Pests
Lemon juice’s acidity can discourage pests and interrupt their eating and breeding habits.
- To make a homemade lemon juice spray, mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with water.
- Begin with a ratio of 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water and spray it on the area where pests are present.
- This solution works well against soft-bodied pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
NOTE: Before applying the spray to the whole plant, it’s essential to test it on a small area of the plant to ensure it doesn’t cause any harm.
5. Balances pH Levels of the Soil Using Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can help if your soil is too alkaline by lowering its pH level. The amount of lemon juice needed depends on the current pH of the soil and the desired pH level.
- Since lemon juice is acidic, it can lower the soil pH.
- You can start with a small amount, like 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a gallon of water.
- Use this mixture to water your plants once every 3-4 weeks.
- It’s important to note that most orchids prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.
- However, some orchid species and hybrids may tolerate slightly higher or lower pH levels.
6. Use Lemon Juice to Clean Pots
- If you’re using fresh lemons, cut them in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl or container.
- Alternatively, you can use bottled lemon juice. Mix an equal amount of water with the lemon juice.
- For example, if you have 1 cup of lemon juice, add 1 cup of water and mix it well.
- Dip a sponge or soft brush into the lemon juice solution and use it to clean the inside and outside of the plant pots.
- Make sure to cover all the stained or dirty areas, paying extra attention to spots with stains or mineral deposits.
- If the stains are tough, you can let the lemon juice solution sit on the pots for a few minutes before scrubbing.
- After scrubbing, rinse the plant pots thoroughly with water to remove any residue and lemon juice.
- It’s important to rinse them well, especially if you plan to reuse the pots for new plants.
- Allow the plant pots to air dry completely before adding new soil or plants. Placing them in a sunny spot can help them dry faster.
7. Get Rid of Bacterial and Fungal Problems
Lemon juice has natural properties that can fight against certain fungal and bacterial infections in orchids. To use it, dilute lemon juice with water and apply it to affected areas or as a preventive measure to lower the risk of infections.
However, it’s important to be cautious because some orchids may react negatively to acidic solutions. To check for any negative reactions, test a small part of the plant first and observe it carefully.
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8. Provide Supplemental Nutrients to Orchids
Lemons are a rich source of potassium, containing 138 mg per 100 grams, and vitamin C, with approximately 53 grams per 100 grams. These nutrients in lemon juice can greatly benefit orchids foliage and contribute to the overall nourishment and recovery of the entire plant.
- Potassium supports essential plant processes, such as root development and water balance.
- While vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative stress.
- When used in moderation and properly diluted, lemon juice or extracts can provide supplemental nutrients to orchids.
- It promotes orchid growth and enhances its ability to withstand environmental challenges.
9. Promote Growth Rate
A study conducted in China at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers found that lemon juice has benefits for plant growth. It can help plants grow by promoting cell division and enhancing the activity of certain enzymes. Additionally, lemon juice aids in the quick transportation of essential nutrients to all parts of the plant.
To utilize these benefits, you can mix 2-3 milliliters of lemon juice with a liter of water. This mixture can be used to water orchids during their growth.
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