Yahoo News Boost hydrangeas and roses with DIY solution which makes plants 'grow bigger'
Hydrangeas and roses, while generally low maintenance, can greatly benefit from the application of fertiliser.
Gardeners have a choice between purchasing specialised hydrangea and rose fertilisers or creating their own homemade versions. A gardener recently revealed on social media the "amazing" impact of using a simple kitchen scrap item on her plants for two weeks, reports the Express.
On the Loving Your Garden Facebook group, Sarah Alton posted: "The top two photos are my hydrangeas and roses before I've used banana water for two weeks just once a week only."
She observed a significant improvement, noting: "They seem to have really bloomed and are much bigger and healthier. I definitely recommend it."
Alton added: "I won't lie I never used to feed my plants anything in the past but I'm definitely noticing the difference in how healthy they all look now, especially my hydrangeas."
Banana or banana peel water, also known as liquid compost or compost tea, is made from chopped banana peels.
This concoction is rich in vital plant nutrients such as magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, and the nutrient levels are typically safe enough to avoid the risk of fertiliser overdose.
To prepare banana peel water, gardeners often chop up banana skins and soak them in water for a couple of days before boiling them for 30 to 45 minutes to soften the tougher fibres.
After straining the liquid, let it cool before use and dilute it with five parts of fresh water. Banana peel water fertiliser can be used to water your roses and hydrangeas once a week.
However, even if your plants require more frequent watering during the summer, limit the use of banana water to once a week.
In addition to benefiting hydrangeas and roses, banana water can also be applied to orchids and peace lilies to promote blooming. Gardeners should note, however, that it won't completely replace fertiliser for all plants.
