Even seasoned gardeners occasionally struggle to maintain certain houseplants in good health. A quick and simple plant care tip will give plant babies who don't seem particularly active the boost they need, and it only requires a few eggs and some water.
Expert Tips: All About the Eggs
Emma Loker, a DIY Garden blogger explains that calcium, a mineral that helps maintain the soil pH between 6 and 6.5, the ideal range for plants to extract essential nutrients, is abundant in eggshells. She added that When eggs are boiled, the calcium in the eggshells leaks into the water, producing a calcium-rich solution that can be used to water plants. Amino acids, another nutrient that aids in plant growth, are also abundant in the water.
James Mayo, a plant care expert, explains that calcium is needed by plants to support the development and upkeep of their cell walls. Without it, the majority of indoor plants will struggle to remain upright and will take on a limp, lifeless appearance.
Jason White, the CEO of All About Gardening agrees with the concept, saying that similar to how calcium in eggshell water gives plants structural support, strengthening their leaves and stems, plants also benefit from calcium.
White further says that because nutrients are distributed more quickly into the plant's system by eggshell water, results are seen quickly.
Mayo adds that the fact that the plant can absorb and assimilate the calcium so quickly also explains why most people see a noticeable improvement in their plant's appearance within a few hours.
Additionally, sick plants can benefit from the calcium and amino acids in the water. Master gardener Andrew Porwol points out that these nutrients boost plants' immune systems, aid in their recovery from illness, and lower their stress levels.
Read also: Indoor Plant Care: Basic Watering Dos and Don'ts
The best houseplant trick is hard-boiled egg water, but there is a small catch. According to Mayo, the most important thing to keep in mind is to make sure the water has returned to room temperature. Unfortunately, applying hot water to plants will cause scorching and, depending on how hot the water is, may even cause the plant's death. To ensure healthy houseplants, make sure the water completely cools off after boiling or even briefly chills.
Another tip is to utilize the shells of the hard-boiled eggs themselves. Crushed, dry eggshells can be added directly to the soil, according to master gardener Yvonne Savio, so that the roots can gradually absorb their nutrients. However, since this isn't a quick fix, it's better for ongoing upkeep, Best Life Online reports.
Another common method is to directly add finely ground egg shells to the plant. When sprinkled on top of the soil, this can serve as an insecticide, according to Reddit user Enigmatic Starfish. This, according to proponents, functions similarly to diatomaceous earth, a common pesticide made from ground diatoms, which are the remains of fossilized algae. DiatomaceousEarth.com claims that the product's tiny, sharp edges can pierce the protective covering of insects and dry them out. Egg shells that have been ground up have a similar structure.
Broths and Liquids from the Kitchen
Other liquids that are typically poured down the sink can also be very beneficial to plants. According to the plant maintenance website Gardening Know How, using diluted black coffee can benefit some "acid-loving plants" because it contains detectable levels of magnesium and potassium, which are essential nutrients for plant development. Additionally, nutrients from vegetables seep into the cooking water like how eggshell nutrients do, adding yet another sustainable watering option.
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