If you love bananas, you might be wondering what to do with the peels after you enjoy the sweet and creamy fruit. Don’t throw them away! You can use them to make banana water for plants, it’s a kind of fertilizer for them. Banana water is a rich source of potassium, phosphorus, and other nutrients that your plants need to thrive.
We have done some great footwork regarding banana water benefits, and how it can help your plants, and what are its pros and cons.
Read on to find out more! 🍌💦 🍃
Contents
What Does Banana Water Do for Plants?
Banana water is a homemade fertilizer that some gardeners use to provide their plants with potassium and other nutrients. During research, we came to know, potassium is an essential macronutrient, which helps plants grow stronger, resist drought and pests, and produce more flowers and fruits.
Banana water is made by soaking or boiling banana peels in water, and then it’s ready to apply the liquid to the plants. Some people claim that banana water can improve the health and appearance of their plants, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. However, banana water is a natural and inexpensive way to use up banana peels and avoid synthetic fertilizers.
We recommend you that banana water is safe to use on most plants. But, you should avoid using it on food crops if you are concerned about pesticides or bacteria. Plus, you can also compost the leftover peels or bury them in the soil to enrich your home garden.
How to Make Banana Water for Plants?
Making banana water for plants is easy and simple. You only need two ingredients: banana peels and water. Well, there are several different methods to make banana water, depending on how much time you have and how much nutrients you want to extract from the peels. Here are the most common methods:
1. Soaking Method
This method involves soaking the banana peels in water for a few days or weeks until the peels turn black and the water darkens. This indicates that the nutrients have leached into the water. Here are the steps to follow:
- Keep a pitcher or glass container mostly filled with water.
- The next step is to add the peels to the water until the container is full, or you run out of bananas.
- Now, cover the container to prevent mold from forming.
- After a few days or weeks, strain the water from the peels and apply the banana water to your plants.
2. Boiling Method
The second method is boiling the banana peels in water for about half an hour. It helps to further break down the fibers and release more nutrients. Here are the steps to follow:
- Start with the same process of soaking the peels in water.
- After a few days, boil the water for 30 to 45 minutes.
- The next step is to strain the liquid and allow it to cool.
- Now, it’s ready to apply the banana peel tea to your plants.
3. Fermenting Method
This method involves fermenting the banana peels with sugar in an airtight container for about two weeks. This creates a potent liquid fertilizer, which contains beneficial bacteria and enzymes. Here are the steps to follow:
- Use very ripe bananas and dark brown sugar.
- Cut up the bananas and add some brown sugar.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for two weeks.
- Strain the liquid and dilute it to regular water, then it’s ready to use in your houseplants.
How to Use Banana Water for Plants?
So far we learned how to make banana water for plants, now let’s focus on how to use banana water for your plants. Well, using banana water for plants is similar to using any other liquid fertilizer. All you need to do is apply it directly to the soil or spray it on the foliage.
Here are some tips to use banana water effectively:
- Use banana water once or twice a week, depending on your plant’s needs.
- If you notice any signs of over-fertilization or nutrient deficiencies. Such as wilting, yellowing leaves, or stunted growth, it is advisable to adjust the frequency and amount of banana water accordingly.
- You can also test the soil periodically to ensure that the plants are receiving the proper nutrients and pH balance.
- Plus, you can also use high-quality plant food to supplement the nutrients that banana water may lack.
Note: There is no scientific evidence to prove that banana water actually contains enough nutrients to benefit plants. Some gardeners claim that they have seen positive results with their plants after using banana water, but others say that it has no effect or even harms their plants.
A better option for using banana peels in your garden may be to compost them. Or bury them in the soil, where they can decompose and release nutrients more effectively.
Alternatives to Banana Water for Plants!
Well, banana water is not the only option for providing your plants with natural and organic fertilizer. There are many other alternatives that you can use, such as:
- Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and can help acidify the soil. So, you can use them as mulch, compost, or liquid fertilizer. However, be careful not to use too much or too often, as they can lower the pH too much and cause nutrient imbalances.
- Eggshells are a great source of calcium and can help prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers. You can crush them and sprinkle them on the soil or soak them in water to make eggshell tea.
- Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate and can help improve plant growth, flower production, and chlorophyll synthesis. You can dissolve it in water and spray it on your plants once a month.
- Compost is the ultimate organic fertilizer that can provide your plants with a wide range of nutrients and improve soil quality. Plus, you can make your own compost from kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials.
FAQs
How long do you leave banana peels in water for plants?
The length of time you leave banana peels in water for plants depends on the method you use. For the soaking method, you can leave them for a few days or weeks until the peels turn black and the water darkens. For the boiling method, you can leave them for a few days before boiling them for 30 to 45 minutes. For the fermenting method, you can leave them for two weeks until they produce a strong-smelling liquid.
What plants like banana water?
Banana water is suitable for most plants, especially those that need a lot of potassium, such as tomatoes, peppers, roses, orchids, and citrus trees. However, some plants may not like banana water, such as those that prefer alkaline soil or low potassium levels, such as blueberries, hydrangeas, azaleas, and rhododendrons. You should always check your plants’ specific needs before using banana water.
How to make banana peel water for plants?
You can make banana peel water for plants by soaking or boiling banana peels in water for a few days or weeks until the nutrients leach into the water. You can also ferment the peels with sugar in an airtight container for two weeks to create a potent liquid fertilizer. See the section above on how to make banana water for plants for more details.
How often should I use banana water on my plants?
You should use banana water on your plants once or twice a week, depending on your plants’ needs and the strength of the banana water. You should also alternate with other water sources, such as rainwater or tap water, to provide a balanced diet for your plants. You should also test the soil periodically to ensure that the plants are receiving the proper nutrients and pH balance.
Conclusion
Banana water for plants is a simple and effective way to fertilize your home garden with natural and organic materials. It can help your plants grow faster, stronger, and healthier by providing them with essential nutrients and minerals.
Banana water is easy to make and use, and it can save you money and reduce waste. But, you should use banana water with caution and moderation, and always monitor your plants’ condition and soil quality.
We hope this blog post has helped you learn more about banana water for plants, and we encourage you to try it out for yourself. Happy Gardening! 🍌💦
Hello, I’m Rose Lehman, the content writer of cozynest. I have been a gardener for over 5 years, and I have a certificate in master gardening from the Oregon State University Extension Service. I enjoy writing about all aspects of gardening, from the basics to the advanced, and from the practical to the creative. I also love to explore different types of gardens, cultures, and styles, and share them with our readers. My goal is to inspire and inform our audience, and help them grow their own cozynest.
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