The various components of the mix for the sprayer were added over time, one at a time.. Over time as I added ingredients I would notice an overall improvement in healthcares, number and size of flowers, frequency of flowering and new growth, root growth and root caliber, longer translucent root tips. iron, calcium, magnesium, vitaminB6, and selenium. All found in molasses

Orchids LOVE cal, mag, maybe the rest too..

Some once said they were worried that if they used molasses their plants would get sticky and attract bugs. None of that happens.

Why are you a lover of molasses ?

I knew a man with a doctorate in botany. I asked him what was the one best thing I could do for my yard. He thought then answered "foot steps". Meaning if you are walking around your yard and observing things and notice a problem, you can resolve it before it is too late.

In one word, observation.

Molasses. Grew up on it. North Carolina. Biscuits, butter, molasses. Fried cornbread, molasses. Peanut butter, molasses. Sweet potatoes, molasses. I could go on... :)

I use extra wooden chopsticks (undivided) from sushi takeout as stakes to keep my phals more upright. White packing peanuts in the bottoms of my plastic pots for extra drainage. I use Dr. Bronner's baby soap one Tablespoon to the Bucket to dunk my orchids in before I bring them in for the winter and to add to a homemade insecticidal soap spray bottle with neem oil.

John B. Keep eating molasses it is very healthy!

luvmyorchids, thanks for your good ideas!

I'm making Christmas cookies to bring to a party. Guess what cookies...Molasses! Ginger spice cookies full of molasses. Love these cookies. Now I can tell everyone they are good for you!

Thanks, Harvey

Back to the original post. I use so many household items for growing.

Just some off the top of my head - Chopsticks for picking old potting media out around the roots without damaging them. Chopsticks are so handy for multiple uses, I keep a pile of them (also from sushi takeout). I also save packing peanuts and sheets of Styrofoam from packing and use them in orchid pots and in large pots for my tropical dirt plants.

I use plastic forks and spoons (also takeout) for marking rows of seeds in my vegetable beds. Very handy.

I save all mesh bags from onions, vegetables to use inside my wood/metal baskets to keep bark from falling through the openings.

I cut up old pantyhose/knee highs to put time release fertilizer in, tie it closed and hang it from my mounts and Vandas.

I use Peroxide and bleach to sterilize my cutting tools and potting benches.

I save egg shells, dry them out and crush them to sprinkle around plants to keep snails away. They also give off a bit of calcium.

I use those sheets of white plastic grids used for lights (Home Depot) as drip trays under some plants. Always used them in NY but like them here in Florida as they raise the pots up a bit and allow air circulation under the pots. Not sure what these sheets are called but they sell them in the lighting department. Cheap!

I save some plastic take out containers for seed starting and us them for soaking some orchids to wet the bark. Handy to prevent spreading disease.

There's more but that's it for now.

Jane

Jane, I know exactly what your talking about on those plastic grated sheets. They are 16 dollars each and can be cut very easily. I have been using them like crazy. I also put PVC 2 inch round inch high couplings under them ti rise them even more to allow water to sit under it providing humidity.

I also use moss from my woods for moisture and toppings which my orchids love.

I also save huge glass bottle and make mine gardens for humidity loving plants like small orchids and tropical plants.