If your orchids have been sitting on the windowsill refusing to burst into bloom, there’s one simple trick that could transform them in just a fortnight – and you probably have everything you need already. Orchid lovers often spend months coaxing their plants to flower, with mixed results. But a clever method shared by a popular gardening YouTuber claims you can encourage glorious blooms in just 15 days – all thanks to an unexpected ingredient: garlic.
In a viral video that’s racked up thousands of views, the gardening expert reveals how garlic can “wake up” dormant orchids. The idea is simple – garlic is naturally antibacterial and packed with nutrients that stimulate root growth and strengthen the plant.
To try it yourself, you’ll need just two cloves of garlic, a litre of warm water, and a spray bottle or jug. Crush the garlic and soak it in the water for 24 hours. Then, strain the liquid and use it to water your orchid or gently mist the leaves.
The garlic solution helps ward off fungus and boosts the plant’s immune system – giving it the energy it needs to bloom faster.
Some gardeners also recommend wrapping the orchid’s roots in damp moss after watering with garlic solution, to lock in moisture and mimic the humid environment orchids love in the wild.
Keep your orchid in a warm, bright spot – but out of direct sunlight – and you could see buds forming within two weeks.
Fans swear by this method, claiming their tired-looking orchids bounced back to life almost overnight. Of course, every plant is different – but with a bit of patience (and garlic), you might finally see those elusive flowers flourish.
So, before you give up on that stubborn orchid, look thoroughly in the kitchen, grab a bulb of garlic and see if this easy hack works its magic. Who knows – you could be admiring a fresh spray of blooms before the month is out.
Gardeners have also been encouraged to make a simple homemade fertiliser out of banana peels to make their orchids bloom