Orchids are stunning, but keeping them in tip-top shape can be a bit of a challenge if you're not clued up on their dietary needs. It's crucial to feed all houseplants with fertiliser that packs nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus – the key nutrients for growth.

But orchids are a bit more high-maintenance; they also crave magnesium, which is vital for energy storage and boosting flower production. Green-fingered expert Mark Curran, who founded Heavenly Orchids, has let slip that some of the "best natural fertilisers" might just be lurking in your kitchen cupboards.

He revealed: "Rice water is a very good organic fertilizer.

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"It contains trace amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as starches that feed beneficial mycorrhizae on the roots."

He added that "Rice water has been found to be particularly beneficial during flowering."

This homemade concoction is a boon for orchids, supplying magnesium, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which bolster the plant's health.

The starches and minerals in rice water are like a growth tonic for both the roots and flower spikes, giving your orchid a fighting chance to sprout larger and lusher blooms, reports the Express.

To whip up a batch of rice water feed for your orchids, simply soak some rice in water for half an hour or so, or use the leftover water from when you cook rice.

Strain it, pop it into a bottle or jar, and then let it sit and ferment for a week.

The solution needs to breathe, so either cover it with a cloth or ensure the lid is loosely fitted to allow air flow.

Also, keep the solution away from direct sunlight as the heat will degrade beneficial nutrients in the water and cause it to smell.

Instead, store it in the fridge or a cool, dark place.

After one week, mix equal parts of the rice water and freshwater into an empty spray bottle to dilute it.

Spray the base of the orchids and the leaves bi-weekly while the plant is actively growing and monthly when the plant is dormant.

With this simple beneficial ingredient, your orchid should hopefully produce larger flowers and be much healthier.