Dried leaves and flowers feeding

[tkliew]

Dear all,

I have a question...I have a tendency to feed my orchids root with their own dried leaves and flowers...also, I tend to feed the roots with egg shelf...is there any harm to the plants by doing so???...

My thought is the dried leaves and flowers, and egg shelf can give additional nutrition/natural fertilizer to the plants...am i wrong???... pls help

Thanks in advance

[reinbo15]

I've never heard of anyone doing that before. I can't tell you if it is bad for certain, but I would think that dead flowers, leaves, and egg shells would rot at some point. You definitely do NOT want rotting material in your pot. You're safer with a water soluble fertilizer.

[camille1585]

I think it does give extra nutrients, but I don't really know how bad it can be for your orchids. But in general, decomposing matter can develop fungus, bacteria and even be a suitable breeding ground for pests.So maybe you should avoid it, just to be on the safe side! Egg shells are good for plants because they contain calcium, which is important for the development of the plant. But if you are giving fertilizer maybe it's not necessary.
Sorry that I can't really tell you if it's better to continue or stop!!

Camille

[Ray]

I suspect the nutrition from blossoms and leaves in minimal. Usually the plants "suck them dry" before jettisoning them.

Also, don't let the fine degradation products clog up the medium, or it will suffocate the roots and lead to rot.

[tkliew]

Thanks reinbo, camille and ray...
after few weeks...the dried leaves and dired flowers dont look good in the pot....i had remove it all..