How to Revive an Orchid Plant Posted: 12 Jun 2021 05:00 PM PDT Orchids are beautiful flowers that bloom in cycles. Just because the flowers have fallen off doesn't mean that the orchid is dead—it's simply in a dormant phase and will likely flower again. You can encourage blooming by pruning and repotting an orchid. Be sure to provide the right amount of water and light, as well. Before you know it, gorgeous flowers will appear! [Edit]Encouraging an Orchid to Bloom - Cut back the stalk when the flowers fall off. Use a sharp, sterilized pair of pruning shears or a razor to trim the stalk when the plant has stopped blooming. Leave about of the stalk, or spike, so that it can regrow.[1] above a node (or bump) on the stem to encourage the orchid to flower again more quickly.}}
- Move the orchid to a new pot once the roots start poking out of the bottom. Water the orchid, then gently tug the plant out of its pot. Use your hands to loosen the roots a bit and dust off any growing media stuck to them. Then, carefully place the orchid into the new pot.[2]
- If possible, pick a pot designed for orchids. If you can't find one, opt for a pot with lots of drainage holes to allow air to flow in and water to drain out. Put a saucer underneath the pot to catch excess water.
- If the roots of your orchid begin growing out through the holes in the bottom of the pot, that's an indication that the pot is too small and you should move it to a larger one.
- Add fresh growing medium to give your orchid a nutrient boost. To promote the reblooming of orchids, mix 2 parts bark formulated specifically for orchids with 1 part peat moss to create the growing medium. Fill the space around the roots with the medium and add a light layer on top, but be sure you don't cover the leaves.[3]
- Orchids need well-draining media with lots of air pockets in order to flourish. Avoid using regular potting soil in orchid pots.
[Edit]Providing the Ideal Growing Conditions - Water less often if you notice mushy roots. Most orchid issues are caused by overwatering. Your orchid might be getting too much water if it has soggy roots or rotting, limp, or discolored leaves. Just decrease how much, and how frequently, you water your orchid to get it to look its best.[4]
- If the roots are rotted, trim off the worst of the damage and repot the plant to provide it with additional nutrients.
- Be sure to dump out any water that collects in the saucer underneath the pot after you water.
- Increase how much you're watering if the roots are dry and shriveled. Alternatively, some orchids don't get enough water and fail to thrive as a result. If the roots look dry and shriveled instead of lush and plump, your plant is dehydrated. Another sign of underwatering is shriveled or discolored leaves. Water your orchid more frequently to correct this problem.[5]
- Use room-temperature water to water your orchid. Rainwater is ideal, but tap water that has sat out for 24 hours will also work, as this gives the chlorine time to evaporate.
- Provide more light if the leaves are dark green. Orchids thrive in sunny environments. If yours has very dark green leaves, it might not be getting enough sunlight. Try moving it in front of a window or into a sunnier outdoor spot.[6]
- If your orchid is outside, leaves or other foliage from surrounding plants or trees might be providing too much shade.
- Reduce the amount of light your orchid gets if it's sunburned. Orchids that receive too much light may first show yellow leaves. As time goes on, the leaves will turn white, then brown. Additionally, if the leaves feel hot to the touch, it's getting too much sun. If you notice these symptoms, move your orchid to an area with less direct sunlight.[7]
- You can move the plant further away from a window or provide more shade by situating it near taller plants or trees.
- Raise the temperature if your orchid is discolored or has pitting or lesions. Keeping your orchid at the wrong temperature can cause all sorts of problems. If your orchid is in a spot with temperatures below , it's likely not thriving. Try moving your orchid to a warmer location if your orchid is discolored or has pits, lesions, or sunken areas.[8]
- Move your orchid to a cooler spot if it has wilted, leathery, or yellowing leaves. Just as a too-cold environment can impact your orchid, so can one that's too hot. Move your orchid to a cooler location or provide some shade for it if the temperature is above . Signs of heat stress include yellowing, withered, or leathery leaves or brown roots or leaf tips.[9]
- Keep in mind that different varieties of orchids may require slightly different approaches, so it's best to tailor your methods to the specific orchid you're trying to revive.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
How to Restore Faded Clothes Posted: 12 Jun 2021 09:00 AM PDT It can be really frustrating to buy colorful clothing only to see it fade as soon as you wash it. Luckily, there are a few different ways you can restore the vibrant color to your garments. Sometimes, detergent can build up on laundry, making it look dull. In that case, washing your clothes with salt or vinegar may help your clothing look like new again. If the fading is from normal washing and wear, dyeing the garment back to the original color can give it a new life! You may also be able to restore your clothes with some common household supplies, like baking soda, coffee, or hydrogen peroxide. [Edit]Restoring Brightness with Salt - Place your faded clothes and regular detergent in the washing machine. If you have clothes that seem to have faded after just a few washes, the culprit may be detergent buildup. Adding salt to your regular wash can help break up that buildup, making your clothes look like new again.[1]
- Powdered laundry detergent is more likely to leave behind residue than liquid detergent.
- Add 1/2 cup (150 g) of salt to the wash cycle. Once you've placed your clothes and detergent in the washing machine, pour about 1/2 cup (150 g) of salt into the drum. In addition to restoring colors, it can also help prevent new clothes from fading in the first place.[2]
- You can add salt to every load of laundry, if you'd like.
- Regular table salt or ultra-fine pickling salts work well for this, but avoid coarse-ground sea salt, as it may not dissolve fully in the washing machine.
- Salt is also an effective stain remover, especially on blood, mildew, and sweat stains.[3]
- Dry your clothing as usual. After your clothes are finished washing, take them out and check the color. If you're satisfied with it, you can either air dry them or place them in your dryer. If they still look faded, try washing them in vinegar, instead.[4]
- You may need to redye your clothes if the color has washed out over time.
[Edit]Using Vinegar to Combat Detergent Buildup - Add of white vinegar to your washing machine. If you have a top-loading machine, you can pour the vinegar directly into the drum, or you can add it to the fabric softener dispenser if you have a front-loading washer. The vinegar will help break up any detergent or minerals left behind by hard water, so your clothes will look brighter.[5]
- The vinegar will also prevent this buildup in the first place, so it's a great way to keep your clothes color-fast while they're still new.[6]
- If you want an even deeper clean, soak the clothing item in a solution of 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar and 1 gal (3.8 L) of warm water for about 20-30 minutes before you wash it.
- Wash the clothes in cool water on a normal cycle. Place your faded clothes into your washing machine, add laundry detergent, and turn on the machine. In many cases, soaking your clothes in vinegar then washing them is all it will take to get them looking brighter.[7]
- Choose the cycle that's appropriate for the clothes you're brightening. For instance, if you're washing items made from a delicate material like silk or lace, you'd want to use a gentle wash. For more durable fabrics like cotton or denim, a normal wash is fine.
- Air-dry your clothes or place them in the dryer. The vinegar will wash out of your clothing during the rinse cycle, so your laundry shouldn't smell like vinegar when it comes out of the wash. You can either hang the clothes to dry or place them in the dryer, depending on the instructions on the care label or how you normally prefer to dry your clothes.
- If a little of the smell does linger, either hang the item to dry outside or put a fabric softener sheet in the dryer. The smell should be gone by the time it's dry.
- If your clothes still look faded, the dye might have washed out, so you may need to dye the clothes instead.
[Edit]Dyeing Clothes to Refresh the Color - Check the care label to determine if the garment is a dyeable fabric. Some fabrics accept dye better than others, so before you try to restore your clothing by dyeing it, take a look at the tag inside the item to see what it's made of. If the item is made from at least 60% natural fibers, like cotton, silk, linen, ramie, or wool, or if it's made from rayon or nylon, it will probably dye well.[8]
- Clothing made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers may not look as dark when they're dyed as clothing made from an all-natural fabric.
- If the garment is made from acrylic, spandex, polyester, or metallic fibers, or if the tag says "Dry Clean Only," it probably will not take dye well, if at all.
- If there are any spots or stains, the dye may not absorb evenly into the fabric, so make sure the clothes are clean.
- Choose a dye as close to the original color as possible. If you want your garment to look as good as new, take it with you to a big box store or a craft or fabric store to choose the dye. Try to find the closest match you can, as this will give you the boldest, most natural-looking result.[9]
- Protect your skin and work area from the dye. Cover your workspace with newspaper, tarp, or trash bags, so if any of the dye splashes, it won't stain your table, counter, or floors. In addition, have some old rags or paper towels nearby just in you need to quickly clean up any spills. Then, put on old clothes and thick gloves so your clothes and skin don't get stained.[10]
- It's important to protect your hands, because coming into contact with dye can irritate your skin.[11]
- Fill a container with hot water that's about . Most household water heaters are set to a maximum temperature of , although some are set to , so the hottest water from your tap should be sufficient. However, if you want hotter water, you can heat it on the stove to just below boiling, or about . Pour the water into a large pot, bucket, or tub, or fill a top-loading machine with water on the hottest setting.[12]
- You'll need about of water for every of clothing.
- A bucket or pot is good for smaller items like thin tops, accessories, and children's clothes. Use a plastic tub or washing machine for larger items like sweaters and jeans.[13]
- Most articles of clothing weigh about 0.5-1 lb (0.22-0.4 kg).[14]
- Dissolve the dye and salt in a small cup of water, then add them to the bath. Follow the instructions on the dye to determine exactly how much you'll need. Generally, though, you'll need about a 1/2 bottle of dye for every of fabric. To help the dye set better, add 1/2 cup (150 g) of salt for every of fabric you're dyeing. Stir the dye and salt into a small cup of warm water until they're completely dissolved. Then, add the dye and salt mixture to your larger container of water and use a metal long-handled spoon or tongs to stir everything together.[15]
- For easy cleanup, consider using a dowel or a plastic spoon to stir the dye in the smaller container. That way, you can just throw it away when you're finished.
- Add the clothes and soak them for 30-60 minutes, stirring continuously. Place the clothing into the dye bath and use your spoon or tongs to push them down under the water, ensuring they're completely saturated. To help the dye soak evenly into the fabric, stir the clothing around at least every 5-10 minutes. That helps prevent any folds or bunches in the fabric from blocking the dye.[16]
- The more you stir, the more even the dye will be. Some people prefer to stir constantly, while others find it's sufficient to just swish the clothing around every few minutes.
- Take the clothing out of the dye and rinse it thoroughly in cold water. Once the recommended time has passed, or when you think the garment looks dark enough, use your tongs or spoon to carefully lift the clothing out of the dye bath. Transfer it to a bathtub or a sink, and rinse the item under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear.[17]
- Remember, the color will look darker when the garment is wet, so take that into account when you're checking to see if it's ready!
- Clean your sink or tub immediately so the dye doesn't stain it!
- Wash the garment by itself in the washing machine on a cold cycle. If you're satisfied with the color of your clothing, turn the garment inside out and put it in the washing machine. Even though you've already rinsed out much of the dye by hand, more will come out in the wash, so don't put anything else in the washing machine, or it will get stained by dye as well. Then, run the washing machine on a small, cold cycle.[18]
- Turning the garment inside-out when you wash it may help preserve its color.
- Dry the garment to see the final color. You can hang dry your item or you can place it in the dryer, depending on the fabric and your personal preference. Either way, when it's finished, examine the clothing to ensure the dye went on evenly and didn't leave any streaks or lighter areas, and that you're happy with the final result.[19]
- If you need to, you can dye the clothing again.
[Edit]Trying Other Household Items - Try adding baking soda to your washing machine to brighten white clothing. Baking soda is another household staple that can help make your clothes look bright, and it's especially effective on white fabric. Just add about 1/2 cup (90 g) to the drum of your washer along with your clothes and regular detergent.[20]
- Baking soda is also a great way to deodorize your clothing![21]
- Refresh black clothes by soaking them in coffee or tea. If you want an easy, inexpensive way to keep your dark clothes looking rich and new, brew a of very strong black tea or coffee. Place the clothes in the washing machine and wash them as normal, but stay close. When the rinse cycle starts, open the lid of the washing machine and pour in the coffee or tea. Let the cycle finish, then hang your clothing to dry.[22]
- Drying black clothes in the dryer can cause them to fade more quickly.
- Brighten your clothing by adding black pepper to the wash. Place your clothes in the washing machine just as you normally would, then add 2-3 tsp (8-12 g) of ground black pepper in with your clothes. This will help dispel some of the buildup, and the flakes of pepper will wash away in the rinse cycle.[23]
- Wash your white clothes in hydrogen peroxide to brighten them. If your whites are looking faded and dingy after a few washes, it can be tempting to bleach them, but this can weaken and discolor the fabric over time. Instead, add of hydrogen peroxide to your laundry detergent, then wash your clothes as usual.[24]
- You can combine some of these techniques for more brightening power, like adding both salt and vinegar to your wash.
- Sort your clothes by color, turn them inside-out, and wash them in cold water to help prevent them from fading.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not attempt this on clothes marked as "dry clean only." These fabrics are delicate and typically do not accept dye well.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Restoring Brightness with Salt [Edit]Using Vinegar to Combat Detergent Buildup - White vinegar
- Detergent
- Salt (optional)
[Edit]Dyeing Clothes to Refresh the Color - Dye
- Large container or washing machine
- Hot water
- Tarp, dropcloth, or garbage bags
- Old clothes and thick gloves
- Small cup
- Salt
- Dowel or plastic spoon
- Long-handled spoon or tongs
[Edit]Trying Other Household Items - Baking soda (optional)
- Coffee or tea (optional)
- Black pepper (optional)
- Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
How to Naturally Deter Scorpions Posted: 12 Jun 2021 01:00 AM PDT If you live in an arid climate, especially somewhere in the southwestern United States like Arizona, chances are you're living alongside scorpions. These little critters rarely enter homes, but it can give you quite a fright if you see one a little too close for comfort! However, scorpions actually help control wild pest populations, so only kill them as a last resort. Instead, try some of the tips and tricks on this list to deter scorpions from hanging out near your home. [Edit]Clear your property of debris. - This gets rid of dark, appealing hiding places. Clean up yard waste like piles of leaves and brush. Get rid of stacks of rocks or lumber as well. Move wood piles at least away from your home.[1]
- Scorpions hide out in dark places during the day and come out at night to hunt.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and gloves when you're cleaning up your property in case there are any scorpions hiding in piles of debris.
[Edit]Keep trees trimmed away from your home. - This removes natural bridges that scorpions can use to get inside. Prune trees so their branches are not touching the sides of your home. That way, scorpions are less likely to find their way into your attic or through an open window.[2]
- Scorpions sometimes like to hang out in the shade underneath trees. Be careful when you're pruning in case there are any nearby.
[Edit]Clean up food scraps. - Food scraps attract insects that scorpions feed on. Always sweep up crumbs, spilled pet food, and other scraps from inside and outside your home. Dispose of food scraps in a sealed trash can where insects can't get to it.[3]
- If you have fruit trees, clean up any fallen fruit around your yard so it doesn't rot and attract bugs.
[Edit]Fill cracks and crevices in your home. - This prevents scorpions from finding their way inside through tiny spaces. Walk slowly around the outside of your home and look for holes and gaps, especially around windows, doors, and the foundation. Seal everything up with caulk or spray foam.[4]
- Other places to check for gaps are around dryer vents and air conditioning ducts.
[Edit]Fix any leaks in your plumbing. - This removes sources of water that attract scorpions. Fix leaky pipes so less water accumulates in and around your home for scorpions to drink. Repair leaky faucets and any other leaks in your home.[5]
- If you have any roof leaks, fix those as well so water doesn't accumulate in your attic.
- If you have pets, leave water dishes empty at night or elevate them somewhere that scorpions can't reach them.
[Edit]Put yellow light bulbs in your outdoor lights. - This way, your lights attract less insects that scorpions like to eat. Change all your outdoor light bulbs to warm, yellow bulbs to attract fewer bugs. Leave your lights off when you're not using them.[6]
- Note that yellow light doesn't deter insects, it just attracts them less than white light does.
[Edit]Deal with any insect problems. - This gets rid of food sources that make your home attractive to scorpions. Check for infestations of things like termites, spiders, cockroaches, and other bugs. Kill them with pesticide or call a pest control company to deal with the problem.[7]
- Scorpions eat just about any small insect, but they especially love crickets, ants, and cockroaches.
[Edit]Try planting lavender. - There is evidence that lavender may repel scorpions. Plant lavender around the perimeter of your home or yard to repel scorpions naturally. Or, plant lavender in certain areas where you tend to see scorpions on your property.[8]
- You can also try making a lavender spray by mixing a couple cups of water and 20 drops or so of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto any surfaces or areas you want to repel scorpions from.
[Edit]Light citric candles. - Citrus scents may also repel scorpions. Light some citric candles around your home or outside in your yard. Do this every day for a few weeks or a month to see if it makes a difference in the number of scorpions you see.[9]
- You can also try spraying citrus oils on surfaces to repel scorpions. Mix about 20 drops of essential lemon oil with a couple cups of water in a spray bottle and spray it wherever you want to deter scorpions from going.
[Edit]Get some chickens. - Chickens keep insect populations down. Keep a few chickens on your property and let them roam freely. Watch them happily peck away at the ground as they scour it for bugs, reducing the natural food supply for scorpions![10]
- Chickens may also try to eat any scorpions they come across if they're still coming onto your property.
[Edit]Catch and relocate scorpions. - This can shift populations away from your property. Wear protective clothing and gloves when hunting for scorpions. Pick a scorpion up with a long pair of kitchen tongs and pit it inside a jar. Seal the jar securely and transport the scorpion far away to an undisturbed natural habitat.[11]
- Scorpions come out more at night and they glow in the dark under black UV light. Buy a black light and go looking for scorpions at night to find more that you can catch and relocate.
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