They're too blue to be natural. Whoever sees blue orchids in the supermarket and garden center immediately suspects a pseudo-naturalness. Read here whether blue orchids really exist in Mother Nature's realm.
The Vanda coerulea comes closest to a "real" blue orchid
Blue phalaenopsis lay at paint drip
An azure blue orchid from the store shelf is usually the result of intensive pre-treatment. A Dutch breeder succeeded in turning white Phalaenopsis orchids into a blue flower miracle. Since the resourceful gardener had the technology patented, the exact procedure remains his secret for the time being.
The information has reached the public that the butterfly orchid is connected to a drip via an infusion needle, through which the blue color gets into its pathways. Of course, the blue magic only lasts for one heyday. If the Phalaenopsis sheds the colored flowers, the next buds unfold in innocent white.
Vanda Royal Blue - Blue flowers with white speckles
Various hybrids have emerged from the demanding Vanda coerulea, which - without any color drip - produce blue flowers. Anyone who is willing to accept small white speckles in the rich blue can look forward to the blaze of color at any flowering time. Of course, the standard of care for a Vanda orchid is a little higher than for a frugal Phalaenopsis orchid. You can only make the blue Vanda bloom under the following conditions:
- In a continuously bright location, without blazing sun in the midday and early afternoon
- Warm temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees in winter and 25 to 30 degrees in summer
- High humidity of ideally 80 percent, at least 60 percent
Since a Vanda thrives without substrate, it is mainly cultivated hanging freely or in a slatted basket. To ensure hydration, soak aerial roots in soft, room-warm water for 30 minutes every few days. In the summer, add a liquid fertilizer for orchids to the soak water every 2 weeks.
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We received the news from Japan that the first true blue butterfly orchid had been successfully bred there. Thanks to intensive genetic manipulation, the hybrid produces blue flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm on 30 cm long flower stalks. However, it will still be a number of years before we can purchase this orchid in the garden center.