Blue orchid: does nature have a natural variety, as well as ways to paint white buds in a pot at home with the rules of care and a photo of a blue flower

Blue orchids are striking in their own beauty and unique, unusual color of the petals. In flower shops, these flowers appeared relatively recently, but have already gained fame.

But not all buyers understand the secret of the amazing color of these plants. You will learn about the origin of this amazing flower, about how it is grown and about the nuances of caring for it in this article. It will also be useful to watch an interesting and informative video on the topic.

Appearance

Blue orchids are epiphytic plants that live on tree branches and eat thanks to aerial roots. The leaves are elongated, belt-shaped or lanceolate, bright green in color, shiny, fleshy. Placed leaves in 2 rows, like other orchids. The flowers have short stems, but the peduncle can reach a meter and a half.

Photo

Check out the photo of orchids with blue and blue flowers:

Does such a variety happen in nature?

ATTENTION: True, for those who seek to enjoy the unusual color of a blue orchid, it is not comforting. This color hides ink or a special pigment that does not retain fingerprints. Only this when buying, when watering - it is very likely.

If the color remains, and your beauty does not get dye poisoning - be prepared for the fact that the new buds will be white. In reality, Japanese breeders bred a blue orchidnamed - Royal Blue Orchid. Only in our country you can’t find such a plant for sale.

You can buy in our stores only the Vang orchid, which has a lilac shade of a flower with dots. Yet the rest of the blue and blue flowers are dyed!

Watch a video about a real blue orchid:

When did it appear?

In 2011, the world's first blue orchid was shown at a tropical plant exhibition in Florida (United States). Carried out this farm "Silver Vase" from South Florida. Only 3 months passed, and another blue beauty became known - Phalaenopsis Royal Blue (Royal Blue Phalaenopsis). This happened in Holland at the FloraHolland flower contest.

Extraordinary flower with blue petals provided by nursery "Geest Orchideeën" (Netherlands), for which he won an award in the category "Sales Concept". The only member of the competition collegium predicted in the future greater popularity of plants among consumers.

Manufacturers do not conceal the fact that blue is not considered natural, and that subsequent blooming will be white. They do the painting using a patented technology, the details of which are not disclosed. According to the manufacturers, its essence is this: plants are placed in a special environment, for the formation of which components of natural origin are used, for this reason the process independently does not harm orchids.

It is possible to conclude: blue is neither a natural type nor a hybrid bred by breeders. This is just an advertising move, and, it should be noted, extremely successful.

Do shops sell dyed flowers or not?

Yes, unfortunately, all blue orchids sold in stores are some standard types with white, but colored flowers.

Some stores do not even conceal this and report on the plate under the price tag that this is not a natural color and that the orchid blooms with blue flowers only 1 time. This is at least honest with consumers.

However, not everyone is so honest. There are many such sellers who give a painted orchid for an allegedly very exceptional natural look, they tear it at exorbitant prices. But there is no blue pigment gene in the DNA of natural orchids. For this reason, if you are assured that this species is just a hoax.

How are they processed?

Often successful owners of orchids with blue or blue colors are amazed to notice that in the next flowering buds do not become bright, intense colors, but a dirty blue, or even completely white. This is due to the fact that plants are painted with the support of a chemical dye. Numerous stores do not withhold this and place appropriate warnings on their color labels.

However, this information is not actively expanding among consumers, so owners of painted flowers are often disappointed. Mostly white flowers are painted, since it is easiest to achieve measured staining on them than on colored buds. Over time, the pigment is washed off, and they return to their original initial color.

Can white petals be painted in a natural blue color at home?

Organization of materials

First of all, find the flower. The best choice for painting is to take a white orchid. So that your flower turns blue, it is possible to choose one of 2 methods:

watering staining;
blue pigment staining.

What to choose a method?

The first method is more gentle for the plant, but less productive. In addition to the fact that subsequently your petals and the stem will stain, and the duration of the color change will be short-lived. As soon as you stop watering with a blue element, the painted flower will quickly return to its original initial state. Irrigation staining is considered an ineffective method.

The second type of staining is very serious, but if you decide to dwell directly on it, try to choose a more gentle method of introducing the dye. Paint is injected into the peduncle, stem or root. The introduction of pigment into the root system and trunk is the most dangerous - it not only very weakens the plant, but also retains external defects resembling ulcers in it.

IMPORTANT: Staining an orchid with an injection is very dangerous. If the injection was carried out in the peduncle, then the plant has a better chance of survival.

How to make pigment input?

The technology of staining using irrigation is elementary:

Dissolve the dye in water (staining principles say: the higher the concentration of the pigment, the more colorful the color will become, and this is more dangerous for the plant).
Next, you need to water your composition with this composition in the usual manner.

As for the technology of introducing the coloring element, it is quite elementary:

Fill the syringe with dye and water.
Gently inject this solution into the selected part of your subject.

Watch a video about painting a white orchid in blue:

Is there a way harmless to plants?

Unfortunately, a rare flower is able to endure such aggressive interventions in its environment without significant results. Inadequate care for the orchid and excessive zeal for its transformation can lead to death of the flower. Artificially painted orchid will be an object of constant trouble.

Inadequate care of the orchid can cause death. Painted orchids need the most thorough care, as they can hurt for a certain time after staining. In addition, do not forget: if in the next year the flower bloomed with white buds, you should not be surprised or try again to paint it.

TIP: Painting does not change the genetic code. Staining is only a fleeting change. Orchids with artificial blue flowers can always be replaced with other types of orchids, which will have their own natural blue tint.

Where to order the real one?

It is recommended to buy a blue orchid at flower shows. Here the plants have certificates and the highest quality. Small flower shops can provide you with a short-lived fake.

The cost of this blue orchid is from 1000 rubles.

What are the nuances of leaving?

It is necessary to care for indoor flowers, taking into account their type. All types of this orchid are thermophilic.. For this reason, they must be located on the sunny side of the apartment: an acceptable view is diffused sunlight.

The best temperature is + 25 / + 30 degrees. At night - +16 degrees. For good flowering, a huge difference in day and night temperatures - up to 10 degrees can be useful. Significant humidity and optimal atmospheric circulation are still significant.

A flower has a need for a quality substrate, since its health depends on it, the probability of blooming.

For the normal growth of a blue orchid, the soil in the pot should be loose, not chewed, with a huge number of pine shavings and good drainage. In its quality it is possible to use crushed stone, pieces of foam. A significant part of it should occupy the center of the pot, which must be with many large holes for excellent ventilation. The substrate should be adjacent to the walls of the pot.

Top dressing should be stable at least once a month. Fertilizer should be well balanced, this is directly displayed on the flowering. From a significant number of caloric elements, the top of the stem becomes soft, and from insufficient - weakly blooms.

Features of watering the plant are as follows: the higher the temperature, the more often you need to water. Due to stagnation of water, the root system may rot and the plant may die. It should be that the water after any irrigation completely drained.

Unlike Wanda, it’s better not to spray the blue orchid. The structure of the leaf of this type is such that water can accumulate at the base.

How to care for the sick?

It is necessary to observe the health of the plant. The disease can be noticed by a constructive change in the color of the leaves, as well as rotting of the roots and the absence of flowering. If you saw something like this, then the flower has a need for an emergency transplant, treatment.

Among the diseases are possible:

fungal, viral infections;
tick damage;
cracked leaf;
burns;
bacteriosis;
withering.

Transfer

It is very important to carefully examine the roots of the flower before transplanting. Remove rotten parts, leaving only dry. It is necessary to transplant an orchid with young roots. If they are very large, then engraftment in the new soil will become difficult.

Conclusion

In no case do not try to return the blue color to the buds, watering the plant with ink or blue, you can destroy the flower. Better try to bring the tormented flower back to life, guaranteeing it the right care. And the orchid will reward you with incredibly beautiful white flowers.