There are taboos when watering flowers with rice water; even a good thing should not be overused
Hua Yi Pai
As the saying goes, eat until you are seven-tenths full, and this makes a lot of sense. No matter how delicious something is, eating too much of it makes you uncomfortable. It is the same as people eating: if you give plants too much fertilizer or too many nutrients, the consequences will be even more serious, and the plants will not be able to take it and will be burned to death! And using rice water to water flowers, as a common way to give plants nutrients at home, must be done with great care during watering, because there are taboos!
Taboo one: pouring rice water directly into the pot
Rice water is indeed rich in nutrients, but it must be fermented before it can be used to water flowers. Watering directly will burn the root system, and over time it will also cause the soil to become compacted, block root respiration, and the plant will surely be close to death!
Taboo two: watering alkaline-loving flowers with it
Some flower enthusiasts do use properly fermented rice water, but why do the flowers still die? The reason is that fermented rice water is acidic, yet it was used on flowers that prefer alkaline conditions, such as cacti and globe cacti.
Tips to avoid these taboos:
Tip one: method for fermenting rice water
Rice water needs to be fully fermented to become the best organic liquid fertilizer, and it must be diluted with water before use. It is best used in an outdoor growing environment; enclosed spaces or indoors are not very suitable for using it.
The method for fermenting rice water is also very simple. Just put the rice water into a plastic bottle, and it can be placed in sunlight. Sealed for 10~15 days, fermentation will be complete, though when first opened there will be a disgusting smell. So it needs to be opened often to release gas.
After the rice water has finished fermenting, there will be no thick sediment at the bottom of the liquid, and it will be slightly acidic. After being diluted with water, it is very suitable for watering flowers, and it is greatly helpful for improving the pH of the soil and increasing soil fertility. A dilution ratio of 1:5 is enough.
Proper use of fermented rice water can increase the frequency of plant flowering, and can also prevent yellow leaves, promote flower bud formation, and help the plant bloom better. The dilution ratio of fermented rice water should be determined according to the plant's growth condition. For weaker-growing plants, dilute with more water, and vice versa. The frequency of use should not be too high; generally 1~2 times a month is enough.
Tip two: pay attention to distinguishing types when watering flowers
After fermentation, rice water is acidic, so it is suitable for watering acid-loving flowers such as camellias, rhododendrons, gardenias and roses. Some flower enthusiasts in the north always see yellow leaves and wilting when growing these flowers, which is very likely because the soil is too alkaline. Watering with a little rice water can make the soil more acidic and make rhododendrons, gardenias and others grow lush and green!
So when watering flowers, first distinguish whether the plant prefers acidic or alkaline conditions!
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