Is there a blue orchid in the wild? How to care for an orchid

Orchids are perhaps the most attractive plants in the world, and they are popular among flower lovers in every country. There's nothing surprising about this—their unusual petal shapes, size, and the fact that they grow quite quickly help them stand out from many other houseplants. However, the blue phalaenopsis is undoubtedly considered the most original orchid.

Description and characteristics of blue phalaenopsis

The Phalaenopsis orchid is a tree-dwelling plant that feeds via aerial roots. Its vibrant green leaves are elongated and glossy, arranged in two rows, as in many other orchid species. The stems are short, and the flower stalk is long, sometimes reaching 1-1.5 meters.

There's no specific blooming schedule for phalaenopsis, as it grows in tropical forests. Most blooms occur in late spring because of the greater amount of natural light available at that time.

Phalaenopsis is propagated vegetatively. To do this, cut off lateral shoots extending from the flower stalk or rosette of leaves. Once the first roots form on the shoot, it can be transplanted into its own pot.

Is there a blue phalaenopsis?

The answer to this question will likely disappoint exotic plant lovers, as this color of buds is not found in nature. This is because the phalaenopsis lacks the gene responsible for blue petals. If you see a blue-flowered plant on the counter at a flower shop, you should know that the flowers are dyed.

An orchid with large white flowers and a yellow border is used as a base. In most cases, dyeing is achieved by injecting the dye directly into the flower stalk or its base. Sometimes, phalaenopsis is dyed by watering it with colored water, which causes not only the flowers but also the leaves and root system to turn blue.

Look at what exists orchid species.

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Is there a purple phalaenopsis?

But flowers with blue-violet petals can be seen. In the wild, the closest shade to blue is found in orchids of the genus Vanda, which includes over 50 species. These flowers produce buds with lilac-tinted petals, punctuated by white spots.

Is there a blue phalaenopsis?

For many years, breeders conducted numerous experiments, attempting to develop orchids with unusual colors. Scientists from Japan succeeded in achieving a blue color. They introduced a Phalaenopsis, which they named "Royal Blue." The plant actually had a bright blue hue. To achieve this color, breeders introduced a gene from the Asian orchid Commelina into the white flower of the Aphrodite variety. The introduced gene was responsible for the blue petals. Thus, the resulting hybrid began to bloom with buds of the desired color.

This orchid variety blooms profusely with small flowers no larger than 5 cm. Up to 30 buds can form on a single stem.

This orchid is an exclusive flower and is currently not available in stores.

How the blue Phalaenopsis orchid came into being

The world's first blue orchid was exhibited at an international exhibition in America. The flower generated great interest, and just a few months after the event, the Phalaenopsis blue (Royal) was presented at a Dutch flower competition.

It's worth noting that the manufacturers openly claim this hue is the result of a patented, secret dyeing process. Consequently, the orchid will bloom white in the future.

Blue Phalaenopsis Care Instructions

Caring for a blue orchid at home is no different from caring for other varieties of this flower. The key to the successful growth of a blue phalaenopsis is providing optimal humidity, warmth, and light.

The required humidity level can be achieved by regularly misting the plant with a spray bottle. The water should not be too cold; the optimal temperature is 18-20°C.

To ensure that the phalaenopsis has enough light, it should be placed on a window facing south, southwest, or southeast.

On sunny summer days, provide the plant with shade to prevent sunburn. Daytime temperatures should not exceed 20°C. Temperatures below 15°C and above 25°C can cause the orchid to become ill, growth will be slower, and other flowering problems may arise.

How to water a blue orchid

Water the plant once a week using the immersion method. To do this, place the flower pot in water for a maximum of 20 minutes. When the orchid is blooming, water more frequently—twice a week. Phalaenopsis orchids prefer soft water, so it's best to use rainwater or settled water.

Post-purchase care

When the flower is brought to a new location, its buds may begin to drop. In this situation, it's necessary to assess the condition of the root system. If the dye was injected into the roots, there's no way to help the plant. If the pigment was injected into the flower stalk itself, the chances of nurturing the orchid are higher.

Find out, Why are my orchid's leaves cracking in half?.

To revive a dyed phalaenopsis, cut off the stem filled with dye. Then, perform the following steps:

• Remove the plant from the pot. Do this carefully to avoid damaging the roots.
• Rinse the root system thoroughly with warm water. Check all roots for any traces of injection. If the dye was injected through the roots, rot will be observed in the area where it was injected.
• All affected areas must be cut off.
• Then the cut areas need to be treated with ash. They need to be thoroughly dried.

Next, the flower can be planted in a pot, into which fresh substrate should be poured.

The substrate the plant was previously in must be discarded. It cannot be reused, as it contains numerous chemicals and other harmful substances used to color the phalaenopsis.

Reviews

Many experienced gardeners recommend avoiding buying blue phalaenopsis, as in the vast majority of cases, the purchase turns out to be counterfeit. Such a flower will likely be damaged. Of course, any plant, even one in a neglected state, can be revived. But this will require considerable time and effort. It's better to buy a healthy orchid in a natural shade from the start, which will delight the eye with its luxurious blooms for a long time.