The right way to water flowers with rice water: potted plants with glossy green leaves and brilliant blooms

Rice water is easy to use and simple to come by, and you can save some any time you cook at home, but why is it that some gardening enthusiasts who water their flowers with rice water not only fail to get brilliant blooms, but also easily end up with compacted soil? First, before using it, we definitely must not use rice water directly to water flowers; we must always do this one extra step, and that is fermentation. Fermenting rice water is very simple: we just need to prepare a few empty plastic drink bottles, then pour the collected rice water into them, screw the caps on tight, and put them out in the sun. Fermentation will be complete in about 2-3 weeks.

First, before using it, we definitely must not use rice water directly to water flowers; we must always do this one extra step, and that is fermentation. Fermenting rice water is very simple: we just need to prepare a few empty plastic drink bottles, then pour the collected rice water into them, screw the caps on tight, and put them out in the sun. Fermentation will be complete in about 2-3 weeks.

Second, note that not all potted plants are suited to rice water. Before applying rice water to plants, you must be clear about which ones can use it, because fermented rice water is acidic and is not suitable for plants that prefer alkaline soil, such as golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), and maidenhair fern (Adiantum). The best matches are acid-loving plants, such as pothos (Epipremnum aureum), money tree (Pachira aquatica), camellia (Camellia japonica), and jasmine (Jasminum sambac).

Third, you must pay attention to the concentration; going beyond the limit is as bad as falling short. When using rice water, it is better to keep it clear than strong, because too high a concentration easily burns the plant roots and also easily compacts the potting soil. So when we water flowers with fermented rice water, we should also dilute it with some clean water, using it 2-3 times a month, at roughly a 1:5 ratio for watering. So there are still quite a few benefits to watering flowers with rice water, and it is also recommended to use it in a ventilated spot so the smell disperses faster. With long-term use, potted plants are sure to have green leaves and brilliant blooms.