How to Ferment Fruit Peels into Fertilizer
Home gardening enthusiasts often face the dilemma of choosing fertilizers, but actually, kitchen waste contains natural nutrients. Fruit peel composting is an eco-friendly organic fertilizer production method that not only effectively utilizes food waste but also provides plants with natural acidic nutrition. Through scientific fermentation processes, various fruit peels can be transformed into high-quality liquid fertilizers, especially suitable for acid-loving flower care needs.
Core Production Process of Fruit Peel Composting
Key Steps in Raw Material Preprocessing
Choose fiber-rich varieties such as pitaya peels and citrus peels, and chop them into 1cm pieces using a knife or a blender to increase the fermentation contact surface. It is recommended to mix three or more types of fruit peels to enrich the nutrients, with banana peels providing potassium, citrus peels containing bioflavonoids, and watermelon peels rich in moisture and trace elements.
Precise Proportioning of Fermentation Recipe
Blend according to the golden ratio of fruit peel pieces: rice washing water: brown sugar = 3:10:1. Rice washing water contains amylase to accelerate decomposition, and brown sugar serves as a culture medium for microorganisms. It is suggested to use a specialized fermentation bucket with an air valve, and the filling volume should be controlled at 2/3 of the container to retain necessary fermentation space.
Scientific Management of Fermentation Process
Control of Anaerobic Fermentation Environment
Seal and maintain the optimal temperature of 25-35°C. The first 7 days are the active gas production period, requiring daily opening of the lid for ventilation and shaking of the container. A balloon monitoring method can be used: when the balloon expands to twice its volume, release the gas. This method avoids frequent opening of the lid, which can lead to contamination by foreign bacteria.
Judgment Standard for Decomposition Maturity
Complete fermentation takes 25-30 days. Observe that the bubbles have completely disappeared, the liquid is brownish, and there is a wine lees smell as signs of maturity. Improperly decomposed fertilizer can produce harmful substances like hydrogen sulfide. The pH value of a qualified product should stabilize between 5.5-6.5.
Practical Skills for Flower Application
Concentration Adjustment Scheme
Take the upper clear liquid and dilute it with water at a ratio of 1:20. Using EM agents can enhance the effect. It is recommended to coordinate with the watering cycle, applying once every 15 days, or increasing to every 10 days during the blooming period. Be careful to pour along the edge of the pot to avoid direct contact with the roots.
Plant Compatibility List
Especially suitable for acid-loving plants such as jasmine, gardenia, and camellia. Using it on azaleas can improve yellowing leaves. For foliage plants like pothos, monthly application can enhance leaf luster, but caution should be exercised with alkaline-tolerant species like succulents.
Through systematic fruit peel composting production, not only can kitchen waste be recycled, but it also provides a customized nutrition plan for home gardening. Mastering the temperature and humidity control during fermentation and the key points of decomposition maturity ensures the safety and effectiveness of the fertilizer. It is recommended to establish a fermentation log to record changes at each stage and gradually optimize personal production techniques.