What is phalaenopsis blue, are there orchids of this color in nature, and how are they cared for?

Blue Phalaenopsis is the invention of our century of interactive technology and progress. These orchids immediately attracted the attention of both amateurs and professional collectors of unusual original colors of flowers.

What it is? What is the secret of the blue orchid? Where did it come from and are there real blue phalaenopsis in nature? You will learn about this in our article. We also recommend watching an interesting video on this topic.

The story of the appearance of blue orchids

Do blue and blue orchids exist in nature? The answer is unequivocal - no, there are neither natural initial species of blue phalaenopsis, nor their bred hybrids. This is just a successful commercial invention.

In nature, the blue-lilac color is found only in the Wanda blue orchid.

Phalaenopsis has no blue and blue species and subspecies. The blue color of the petals is the result of coloring an adult orchid with special chemical paints. Most often, such a flower dies or begins to hurt, and if it blooms a second time, it turns into a completely different flower, the bright color of the petals disappears.

In the US state of Florida, recently, in 2011, representatives of a tropical plant farm presented a blue phalaenopsis.

After some time in the same year, another blue orchid “Royal Blue Phalaenopsis” announced itself at the next flower contest in Holland. This orchid received an award in the category "Sales Concept". The jury was fascinated by the lovely blue queen and even prophesied the widespread distribution of this orchid among fans of exotic flowers.

Representatives of the company did not hide the fact that the blue color is the artificial coloring of a white orchid using a patented technology, the secret of which was not disclosed for commercial secrets. Producers of blue orchids have assured that this method of staining will not harm the orchid.

Watch a video about the origin of blue orchids:

Varieties of this color

In 2013, in Japan, breeders announced the breeding of a blue orchid, which was obtained by crossing the white phalaenopsis "Aphrodite" and the orchid "Kommeline". A gene has been introduced into the blue orchid that is responsible for the blue color of the petals. Blue orchid is not currently widespread, as it is an exclusive selection.

Cattleya Orchid

Cattleya - large-flowered, with a pronounced aroma, not whimsical to care for. But the flowers do not have such a bright, saturated blue color as the artificially derived blue phalaenopsis. Cattleya has shades of blue, lilac, pinkish blue. The flowers are medium. This kind of Cattleya is not common.

Wanda

This orchid is not easy to care for, capricious, prone to diseases. The stem is cylindrical, the leaves are dense, bright green. The flowers themselves are very fragrant, unusual colors - pale blue, shades of purple and blue. By the saturation and brightness of the inflorescences, Wanda is not inferior to the dyed blue phalaenopsis.

What's the catch?

For example, a store might color a flower. Orchid lovers, by chance seeing an ad on the blue phalaenopsis on the Internet - a bright, saturated, eye-catching color, naturally want to get this look for their collection. In the store they are offered such a wonderful flower. What happens next?

After the first flowering comes bewilderment and disappointment. With repeated flowering, buds and flowers suddenly begin to "shed". Petals become dirty - blue or completely white. Here is such a rebirth.

Reason: the orchid was artificially colored with chemical dyes. Over time, the paint is washed away, and the orchid turns from blue to white.

Step-by-step instruction

Care

If you really want to buy a blue orchid, then it is better to do it at exhibitions, and not in stores. If nevertheless you choose an orchid in the store, pay attention to the color of the roots and leaves. Blue leaves and roots - the plant is infected and is likely to die. Do not take chances! Stained orchid requires enhanced care, the flower is very weak, susceptible to diseases and viruses.

Orchid loves the light, but the burning scorching sun can burn leaves and flowers, so in summer it is better to shade the windows with blinds or light tulle. Best of all, the flower feels on the western or eastern windows. In winter, when there is a lack of light, additional illumination is used to increase daylight hours to 10 - 12 hours.

Watering is associated with light. If there is enough light, the leaves and roots look healthy, then watering should be moderate - 1 time in 8-9 days. In summer, orchid requires abundant hydration and watering.. Here you need to focus on the state of the substrate. If the soil is dry, then only watering is required.

Water the orchid only with warm, purified water. Orchid also loves a warm shower. The pressure should be weak so as not to damage the stem.

You can water it by immersing the pot in a bucket of water for 15 to 20 minutes, the blue phalaenopsis will take as much water as it needs. Excess fluid must be drained through the drainage holes. It is recommended to drain excess water from the pan so as not to soak the roots. After watering with cotton buds, it is good to wet the axils of the leaves so that rot does not appear.

All phalaenopsis love warmth and humidity, as in the tropics. Temperature -25 - 28 ° C during the day. At night - not lower than 16 ° C. The temperature difference should not exceed 9 - 10 ° C. Humidity is average - 50 - 70%.

Ventilation is necessary so that the air does not stagnate, especially in winter and autumn. They can rot the roots. But remember that the orchid is afraid of drafts.

Loose soil, not compressed, its components should not stick together:

• Drainage - pieces of foam or expanded clay, pebbles, placed on the bottom of the pot.
• Middle pieces of pine bark, peeled and well washed, can be disinfected - boil for several minutes.
• Charcoal.
• Moss - Sphagnum.

It is better to grow an orchid in small plastic transparent pots, which makes it possible to observe the condition of the roots and control watering. We make holes on the entire surface of the pot so that the roots breathe well, and excess moisture can find a way out.

Top dressing

Fertilize the orchid at least 1 time per month. Top dressing should be special, bought in the store specifically for orchids. For example, flower growers recommend universal liquid fertilizer “Flower happiness”.

Orchid is usually fed at the same time as watering.so that the fertilizer enters the substrate evenly. During the growth period, a composition of the following elements is used (ratio - 2: 6: 1):

• urea;
• calcium nitrate;
• magnesium sulfate.

In winter, with a decrease in temperature and light, the amount of urea (nitrogen) is reduced by 2 times.

Watch the video about the proper feeding of orchids:

Transfer

Once you have purchased a blue phalaenopsis, do not rush to transplant it. Observe the state of the orchid. A transplant of a colored flower can cause another stress, and the orchid will die.

If the orchid began to drop buds, then it is sick. Try to save the flower:

1. Cut the peduncle in which the dye is accumulated.
2. Carefully free the roots from the old substrate.
3. Rinse the roots with warm water.
4. With a clean tool, cut off rotten and stained roots.
5. Sprinkle the cuts with cinnamon or crushed charcoal for disinfection.
6. Dry the renewed orchid well.
7. Process the pot.
8. You need to plant in a new disinfected substrate.

Breeding

Blue orchid propagates, like all phalaenopsis with the help of "children" - shoots. They appear on a peduncle or on a leaf outlet.

Leaves of the "baby" should be at least 3 cm, the root is better to grow to 5 cm. The procedure is not complicated, as with transplantation:

1. Separate the baby from an adult healthy flower.
2. The places of cuts are disinfected with charcoal.
3. "Kids" are placed in small transparent pots.
4. Pour the substrate for 2 minutes with boiling water for disinfection.
5. As soon as the substrate cools, we fall asleep roots.
6. We care for them in the same way as for adult flowers.

Watch a video about orchid propagation by children:

Pests and diseases

It is very important to observe the orchid, the condition of the roots and leaves in order to prevent diseases and problems:

• If only a peduncle is “infected” with a chemical dye, then the orchid will be ill, will develop, grow with proper care.
• If the root is colored, then the orchid is in danger. Save the root. If the root is healthy, the orchid will recover from stress and normalize its growth and flowering.
• If the orchid dropped the buds, it is better to cut off the diseased arrow so that the dye does not spread further.
• If the soil is constantly oversaturated with moisture - the roots become brown or black, this is rotting, it is urgent to transplant the flower, normalize moisture and watering.
• If the leaves began to fall off, they wrinkle, then the humidity, on the contrary, is insufficient, and the air temperature is too high for the orchid. Shade the windows, refresh, water, adjust the temperature for it.

The most common diseases:

1. Fungus in the substrate itself, on the leaves. It is necessary to transplant the orchid into a new substrate. Spray with phytosporin solution or any other antifungal drug. You need to dose the medicine, strictly following the instructions.
2. Gossamer and other ticks they multiply very quickly and practically eat the plant, eating the deciduous juice of orchids. Experienced flower growers recommend immediately after detecting the disease, spray the orchid with a special solution or soak it for 15 minutes with the roots in an insecticide.
3. Rot, especially in summer, spread the infection very quickly, affect the roots and leaves of a painful orchid, in a short time you can lose the flower altogether. If you see root decay, carefully cut all infected roots with a knife. It is recommended to sprinkle with cinnamon or charcoal and grease with foundationazole.

Conclusion

Many, after the blue phalaenopsis has lost its color, try to return it on their own: they are watered with colored water, blue, and ink. All these actions weaken the orchid, destroy it. Do not experiment, pick an orchid to your taste and mood, and it will thank you with a magnificent fragrant flowering.

Watch the video: DIY Blue Orchid - How blue Phalaenopsis Orchids are made (October 2024).