Craving Eggs? So are your Orchids. We explain Why An Egg is the Best Thing Ever to nourish these picky flowering divas!
If you’ve grown orchids, you’ll know they are super picky plants. But guess what? Their best friend might just be…an egg! Sounds wild? We’re not kidding. Here’s why using an egg for your orchid is the best thing you can do for them!
Why Orchids Love Eggs
1. It’s Great for Sturdy Growth
Eggshells mostly end up in the bin, but a more useful place is with orchids! Roughly 95% of an eggshell is calcium carbonate, which breaks down to release calcium in the potting mix. And plants love calcium, as it helps maintain hydration and nutrient and water uptake.
Here’s how you do it—crush eggshells into fine powder and sprinkle about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of it over your orchid bark or moss mix but avoid any direct contact with roots. You can adjust this amount depending on the size of your pot and the plant.
It will slowly release into the mix and offer a steady nutrient supply to your orchid roots, which means better growth. Do this once or twice a year, and you’ll notice a change in growth.
2. Eggshell Tea for pH Balance
Eggshell tea can be a helpful way to correct the pH of your orchid’s potting mix. Orchids thrive in slightly acidic to neutral conditions (a pH of 5.5 – 6.5), so eggshell tea can be used to neutralize overly acidic mix.
If your substrate is too acidic, your orchid might not be able to get the nutrients it needs, even if they are present! Just save a bunch of clean eggshells and let them dry completely. Then, crush them up into small pieces.
Boil about a quart of water and add a handful of crushed eggshells. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Then, let the “tea” cool down completely. You can use this to water your orchid every other month.
Note: Don’t use it every time you water, as it could eventually make the soil too alkaline. It’s always a good idea to check the pH of your potting mix to make sure it’s in the right range for your orchid.
3. Eggshell and Ginger Concoction for Orchids
Did you know that your kitchen scraps could be the secret to happy, blooming orchids? Eggshells and ginger, when combined into a special concoction, can give your orchids a boost of nutrients and help them grow strong and healthy.
We know the calcium in eggshells helps orchids build strong roots and leaves, but adding ginger keeps away fungus or bacteria that may harm your orchid.
First, gather clean, crushed eggshells from 2-3 eggs and a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, either sliced or grated. Combine these in a pot with enough water to cover them. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
All that’s left is to cool it down and use it to water your orchids; once every 8-10 weeks will be enough.
You may come across sources telling you to use egg whites or even yolks, but avoid these, as they do not contain sufficient nutrients for your orchid to absorb and rather attract insects and pests. Stick to these hacks, and you’ll discover why eggs are an orchid’s best friend!
