I have read a couple of threads where it was suggested to use banana peels to promote blooming. I've found a couple of past threads when searching this forum but am still not certain how to prepare them and apply them.
It would be nice to have a Sticky on this forum for novices like me.
Banana Peels
Easiest way is to cut your peels into slices or squares and poke them into the soil where they will gradually rot away as the plant gets watered during the growing season. Small pieces will go quickly and release more nutrients but wont last long, bigger pieces last longer but release more slowly. Some people leave the pieces on top of the soil but I find that makes it too easy to wash them off when watering, or they blow away. Also they can attract vinegar flies, which while harmless to your plants, are annoying by their presence, and all too easy to inhale because they are so tiny.
I usually use slices about a half inch or so wide, KK.
Thank you Kaelkitty. I appreciate the information. Cindy
No Sweat, Cindy.
Just thought I would chime in with something I do and thank you, KK, 'cause I've been watching these posts to learn more of the banana peel fertilizer procedure so really appreciate your info. I chop my peels real tiny and just layer them on top of the soil in my plants but I also do the same thing with our tea leaves. We drink alot of green + earl grey tea so I mix the tea leaves in the bananas on a platter and let them all dry for a couple of days then cover the soil. Also seems to be helping the guys along....Deb
Hi Deb, That sounds interesting - I drink a lot of the same tea including herbal tea. What nutrients does the tea add to the fertilizing process? Do you two add any of this to your other plants?
Thanks so much.
Cindy
This message was edited Dec 14, 2007 4:20 PM
I believe the tannen in tea is a good thing for the plants. If I ever have leftover cold tea I use it to water with and I use banana peels on all my plants including the hoya & the rhipsalis as well as the schlumbergera...It's lucky we eat alot of bananas & drink alot of tea....did you see the post where the member said she dries her banana peels and then pulverizes them in a blender? I thought that was a wonderful thought and when it warms up here & I can put the peels outside I will try that....Deb
I did not see that post but I had thought of putting the peels in a blender. The dried peels would keep longer. The wheels are turning now, I can't wait to try this now. I too have Hoyas and Schlumbergera so I can use it for all of them.
Thanks Deb.
Hello all. Just a quick thought for you to try. I have been using banana peels around my roses for years. it is apparently the potassium in the peels that is good for the plants.
Happy Christmas everyone.
Jean
Jean, that made me remember when we lived in CA & I had a huge staghorn fern that grew on my cedar tree, I used to put whole banana peels in the soil as well as put them in amongst the moss the encircled the root ball.......There's much to be said for these fella's, it seems....thanks for the reminder....Cindy, got some more help!!!! yippee.....Deb
We drink a lot of tea also, but it's the regular Lipton tea. One of yall said they watered with the cold tea. Do you think it a good idea to let my used tea bags seep in water and use that to water with? Would it be benifical at all? Right now I throw them away. I plan on starting a compost pile as soon as I can get the area situated.
I mulch my plants with tea leaves....after I use the bag, I cut it open and spread the leaves on top of the soil in my houseplants...been doing it for years, green tea, Earl Grey & Lipton....I've never put any of the flavored stuff around, it goes to the compost pile....
Well, I am going to start putting my tea leaves in my house plants. We'll see what happents. Thanks Depsi.
dawn
So the plants like Tea with Bananas - is that right?!? LOL Beginning to sound like the infamous Gardenia thread!!! Seriously though I have heard of using both...
How did the tea help your babies? Anyone?
Just wondering if there is a certain time of year to be adding banana peels to the soil. My schlumbergera are just starting to bud and I am concerned if I do this now, my schlumbergera will not flower this season.
Also, I am new to epis and just love them. Not sure if there is a certain time of year they flower, but I am wondering if the same thing would apply to the epis as to my Christmas cacti.
TIA
Carolyn
I haven't used tea leaves on my epis, but put banana peels on them regularly -- I don't think it matters too much what you do to the peels -- slice them, pulverize them or leave them whole. I slice mine crosswise into slivers. In a day or two they have turned black and I just spread them on top of the soil, or if I happen to be going away for a time, I just throw the peels on top of the soil. Since my epis are all in pots in the sunroom, I don't have to worry about the peels washing away or "critters" getting into them! I will say this: since I have been putting banana peels on my two largest epis this year that are blooming size, I have had four flushes already and when I left last week, I could see tiny buds forming again.
About the tea: I remember my mother pouring tea on her hydrangeas and they were beautiful. Can't remember but I think they were blue. I do know that you can change the color of the old fashioned ones by using either acid or alkaline fertilizer.
Jean
Thank you so much.
Carolyn
I like to dry the sliced up banana peel, adding to it tea leaves and coffee grounds, and then adding it to my soil mixture for new plants. Though my purchased fertilizer provides the same nutrients, I feel that it keeps me from wasting nutrients. If these items don't go into my Epie soil mixture, they would go on the compost heap. bob
Way to go Orchidman. Why waste perfectly good nutrients. My mother had a compost pile and I suppose as they saying goes, "I have become my mother" in that sense of the word. I grew up thinking everyone composted their kitchen waste! LOL
Hydragea Acid makes them blue
alkaline makes them pink,
I think.