Notorious for being a challenging and unique plant to tend to, orchids can give flower enthusiasts a cracking headache.
From specific sunlight conditions to tantalisingly complicated soil instructions, Orchidaceae require excruciatingly intricate love and care - but yield gorgeous results when they are treated to such conditions.
But, for those continuing to struggle with their orchid, a hack genius who goes by @creative_explained on TikTok, shared a surprising trick to revive your dwindling plants, insisting that they "just need a little bit of love".
When the flowers are starting to drop off your previously-flourishing plant, the guru urged fellow green thumbs to refrain from the overwhelming desire to chuck the deflated orchid in the bin.
Often used in orchid soil, coconuts have a multitude of factors that can make plants flourish
TIKTOK / @creative_explained
Instead, he encouraged orchid-lovers to deploy a common supermarket fruit which is bursting with versatile uses: the humble coconut.
Often used in orchid soil, coconuts have a multitude of factors that can make plants flourish, providing unrivalled drainage properties to support growth.
Addressing followers, the plant lover outlined a step-by-step process to revive your plant.
1. Remove the orchid from its pot and place it in a bowl of water.
2. Grab a fresh coconut, and begin to scrape off the outer-husk. Pop this in a bowl for the time being.
3. Grab a hammer and gently tap it around the coconut until it cracks, and scrape out the meat
4. Glue the shell back together; it should have cracks and holes left
5. Then, with the top piece that was smashed, slam it with a hammer until you create a bunch of smaller pieces
6. On the orchid, trim the dead roots off. These appear white or brown.
7. Grab the bowl with the husk and add water
8. Then, grabbing a small bit at a time, wrap the husks around each root
9. Place the orchid inside the coconut shell
10. Grab the broken chunks of shell and add them in, spread out evenly.
11. And, finally, sprinkle some leftover husk on top.
"Coconut husks and coconut shells are super absorbent, which is going to give this orchid what it needs to thrive and grow new roots. And then grow shoots with little buds on it," the expert said.
Orchids are notoriously challenging to grow
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Coconuts - with its husk and shell - are hugely beneficial and extremely useful for plant enthusiasts keen on giving their orchids - as well as other flowers - a much-needed boost.
In fact, coconut coir - which is a by-product of coconut processing - can aid and abet soil structure, support moisture retention and can create an ideal drainage system.
Even further, the fruit’s water is known to contain crucial nutrients, from potassium, magnesium and vitamin C - which could even promote plant growth.
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