How to use rice grains for your plants to make them grow strong
Do not throw away the water from cooking the rice because it is very nutritious, as it benefits from the vitamins, minerals and starch in the rice grains.
Here ‘s how to use rice grains on your plants to make them grow strong.
1- As a pot fertilizer
This method is a slow release fertilizer : this means that the starch in the rice will be gradually released. As you water the plants, the rice grains will begin to swell and release starch into the potting soil. In addition, with each watering, the plant’s soil will be filled with nutrients thanks to the rice.
Application method:
You will need 1 tablespoon of rice for a large pot. If the pot is smaller, 1/2 tablespoon is enough. Spread the grains of rice around the stem of the plant in a circle around it. For a more effective impact, using a spoon mix the rice with the topsoil. This way, the rice will be absorbed more slowly, giving time for the starch to be released.
2- As basic fertilizer
This form of application is also a slow release fertilizer. You must apply it once every 2 months : do not fear that the substrate will be filled with rice plants. You should know that the rice we eat undergoes a refining process, making it impossible for it to germinate.
Application method:
In a large pot, place a little topsoil in the bottom with 2 tablespoons of rice. Mix the 2 ingredients so that there is a uniform mixture in the bottom. You will notice that the rice grains take on a gritty or powdery consistency like perlite. Then, support the plant you are going to transplant well and cover the rest with soil. In this case, in addition to the fertilizer, the rice will facilitate the drainage of your plant.
3- Use rice water
Unlike the previous methods, the rice water will act as a quick release fertilizer. This method is recommended for plants that need to recover nutrients quickly. You must apply it once a week for 15 days and you will notice a marked difference in the growth of your plant.
Application method:
Pour 1/2 cup of white rice into a 1 and 1/2 liter plastic bottle, fill with tap water until the bottle is full. Cover and stir to release the starch, then let stand for 30 minutes. After this time it will remain as a whitish liquid, it is an excellent fertilizer for your plants. Apply by irrigation : make sure that the bottom rice mixes well with the soil so that it retains its moisture.
Benefits of rice for plants
The starch that rice releases provides extra energy that will have the best impact on the development of your plant.
Rice is packed with nutritional properties : protein, vitamins, fiber, amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and potassium.
Rice cooking water is a natural fertilizer that will allow plants to grow faster and flourish profusely.
Rice water is also a natural ecological herbicide : starch has the ability to fight weeds.
