Blue

Maintenance and care

After staining, it is very important to observe the correct conditions for keeping flowers, this will extend their life. Let's take a closer look at each of the mandatory points.

Optimal conditions of detention

These plants are very fond of heat, so it is important that the temperature regime is between 18 and 30C. If you do not follow this rule, then the blue orchid succumbs to a variety of pests and is exposed to many diseases.

Important! During the dormant period, the temperature should be slightly lower than with the active growth of the orchid.

You also need to remember about the correctly selected light mode. It is recommended to keep the plant on the balcony in spring and summer so that it can get enough sunshine. In this case, it is necessary to avoid sunburn on the leaves or flowers of the orchid. In the winter-autumn period, special lamps are used to increase the level of illumination.

All phalaenopsis need good lighting.

How to water to preserve the blue pigment?

The amount of watering depends on the season - in the summer you need to moisten the flower more often than in the winter. On average, it is recommended to water in summer 1 time in 3-4 days, in winter - 1 time in 7-10 days.

In order to understand whether it is necessary to water the orchid, it is enough to touch the soil: if it is very dry, then the plant requires moisture. For irrigation, it is better to use high-quality water at room temperature.

Root and foliar feeding

Top dressing is carried out in the same way as for other varieties of orchids: during vegetative growth. In the resting phase, the plant needs rest, so it is not recommended to add fertilizers. For complementary foods, it is best to use ready-made mineral mixtures that are sold in specialized stores.

Seasonal features

After dyeing an orchid, it is important to remember that the blue pigment is immortal. After the amount of dye runs out, the orchid throws out the usual white buds

Do not practice frequent coloring, as this will lead to the death of the plant.

It is very important to monitor the condition of the flower, since after the introduction of the pigment, it is more susceptible to diseases and damage by harmful microorganisms. Advice! If the plant begins to die, then it is necessary to carry out urgent manipulations to reanimate it: cut off the colored peduncle, completely change the substrate in the pot, check the condition of the root system (cut off decayed or dried out areas)

In this way, the health of the orchid can be restored.

Advice! If the plant begins to die, then it is necessary to carry out urgent manipulations to reanimate it: cut off the colored peduncle, completely change the substrate in the pot, check the condition of the root system (cut off decayed or dried out areas). In this way, the health of the orchid can be restored.

Care depending on the location of the windows

• East window.
  In order for a blue plant to feel good on the east window, it should be placed in this place in the summer - from May to September. In winter, it is better to move the orchid to the south side. If you decide to leave the flower on the east window, you need to provide it with additional lighting in winter.
• North window.
  The blue snow leopard orchid and other types of blue palette, located on the north window, will not grow without artificial lighting, since partial shade is observed here all year round. It is the lighting that has a direct impact on how the plant develops.
• West window.
  Caring for the flower located on the west window is the easiest. It's sunny here, but not too sunny.Some lighting problems can occur in winter, but more often than not, there is enough light.
• South window.
  Royal Phalaenopsis thrives on the south window, but since the plant placed here is actively growing all the time, it can get sick. Burns can sometimes occur on the leaves, so it is recommended to place the plant behind a curtain.

How to make from white at home: step by step instructions

If you don't want to buy a pig in a poke from the store, you can learn how to color an orchid at home.

There are two ways to color a flower.

Watering

This method is the most gentle and painless for the plant. But in addition to the buds, the leaves and stems will also be colored.

The very technology of dyeing by watering is simple and intuitive: you need ordinary food coloring and water at room temperature.

The pigment is added to the water in large quantities, this will help to give the orchid flowers a rich blue color. But you need to understand that the orchid will return to its original petal color shortly after the dye watering stops.

Pigment injection

This method is more dangerous for the flower: the procedure not only weakens the plant, but can also leave damage on it, resembling small ulcers. This method consists in the introduction with a syringe of a dye into the stem, root or peduncle.

Since the introduction of a dye into the stem and root is extremely dangerous for the vitality of the plant, we will consider the issue of dyeing at home using the example of a peduncle.

Preparation of materials

The first step is to decide on the choice of the flower itself. A light or white orchid works best.

From the materials you will need:

• dye;
• a syringe with a fine needle.

What to choose as a dye?

It is best to use regular food coloring, or you can purchase specialty paint for flowers at a specialty store. Do not use regular ink. They contain a huge amount of harmful components - penetrants and aggressive solvents, which can lead to the death of the flower.

Where to inject the substance?

The technique is not complicated:

1. A saturated coloring solution based on food coloring or special paint is preliminarily prepared.
2. Next, with a syringe with a thin needle, the resulting solution is carefully injected into the peduncle area.

Compared to the first method of staining - watering - this method allows you to achieve fast and long-lasting flowering of orchid buds with a blue tint.

How to make a blue orchid

As we have already figured out, it is possible to make the orchid petals blue only by an artificial method, by coloring. The paint that was used for exhibitions is patented and its composition is kept secret.

And at home, you will have to use either food dyes or order paint via the Internet at your own peril and risk. Particularly courageous citizens try to paint with an ink solution - however, this method harms the plant.

You can paint by watering. The coloring matter dissolves in water: the higher its concentration, the more intense the shade of the petals will be. Note that the stem will also become bluish - after all, the paint penetrates not only into the petals. If you stop watering with colored water, the plant will restore its original appearance after a while.

There is another way - the introduction of the dye solution directly into the stem through a syringe. This is a more dangerous method than watering. After injections of a syringe, ugly scars remain on the stem, spoiling the appearance of the plant and harming it.

To make the orchid turn blue, injections are also made into the peduncle. In this case, the paint enters only the flower, the stem remains the usual green. This option is more humane than the introduction of paint through the stem.

What to water to make the plant turn blue?

Let's find out below how to water an orchid to make it blue.If the dreams of a blue orchid do not leave you alone and the desire to have a blue flower in your collection, at least temporarily, becomes unbearable, there are ways to paint the orchid blue.

The paint is dissolved in water for irrigation, which is then carried out as usual. The higher the concentration of the dye, the richer and thicker the shade of the flower will be. It should be borne in mind that a large amount of paint will negatively affect the health of the orchid.

There is another way of staining, quite dangerous for carrying out at home, but if you like risk, you can try. In order to give the orchid flowers a blue color, you can inject with a dye:

• A solution of water and paint is drawn into a syringe;
• Then an organ for coloring (for example, a peduncle) is selected and slowly introduced.

It is worth noting that the introduction of the dye directly into the flower is safer for the health of the orchid, because it does not affect the dye on the root system and stem. The flower dies off after a certain time, and after a period of dormancy, a new one will form, which cannot be said about the stem, leaves and roots.

The orchid is often painted with injections.

It is best to dye a white orchid - the dye appears more clearly and brightly on its flowers. The paint, dissolved in the absorbed water, enters with such a liquid into the plant in all its organs, giving them a blue tint.

Important! When dyeing at home, it is almost impossible to obtain a uniform distribution of the dye. Even with the injection of paint, there is no guarantee that it will be evenly distributed throughout the flower.

Potential risks

Any interference during the normal life of the plant leads to stress. Flowers with strong immunity, healthy and actively growing may not externally show signs of its occurrence, so before deciding to change the color of a flower, make sure that it is healthy.

Color support

How to water a blue orchid so that it does not change color? This magic way most likely does not exist. The dye, which is applied by watering or by injection, will change the color of the plant's flowers over time. Further, the blue color, like any third-party chemical, will be naturally removed from the plant.

Water the blue orchid with soft water.

It is very important to monitor the quality of the irrigation water:

• It should be soft;
• Room temperature.

It is not worth increasing the frequency of watering, moderate drying of the substrate is quite acceptable.

As soon as the roots have changed color to gray-green - the plant gives a signal for watering.

Important! When caring for a painted orchid, special attention should be paid to the light regime: coloring can reduce the activity of photosynthesis, and with insufficient daylight hours, the condition of the plant may deteriorate

Blue Orchids: Colored Or Not?

History

For the first time, the world saw blue phalaenopsis in 2011 at the industrial exhibition of tropical plants in Florida. The plant was presented by the company "Silver Vase", calling their creation Phalaenopsis Blue Mystique.

Phalaenopsis Blue Mystique.

The Dutch followed the Americans, three months later, Phalaenopsis Royal Blue from Geest Orchideeën appeared at another show. Dutch Phalaenopsis took the prize in the category "Sales Concept".

Phalaenopsis Royal Blue.

The blue phalaenopsis quickly became famous and are now sold all over the world. At the same time, the manufacturer himself does not hide the fact that the orchid is artificially colored and its next flowering will be white. However, this does not stop florists.

Advice! Care should be taken when purchasing such a plant.

According to the manufacturers, the dyeing process is harmless to the plant and the dyes do not cause any damage to the flower. And the technology itself is patented and classified.

But not all phalaenopsis that you see in stores are original, from Dutch or American nurseries. Most of them are painted with barbaric methods.

The dye is introduced into the plant itself, a blockage of the vascular system occurs and soon it literally suffocates.

Next, it will be described what to do with such a plant, but about everything in order. First, let's find out if there are blue orchids in nature.

Existence in nature

In nature, there are about 35,000 species, they grow on all continents of the Earth, except for Antarctica.

But are there blue orchids in nature? Indeed, among them there are orchids of bluish shades, but not as saturated as the inventors of the dyeing technology suggest to us.

Basically, natural varieties have small flowers that are painted in pale, bluish or violet blue colors. There are also lilac-blue, gray-blue, white-violet shades.

Among the natural varieties of phalaenopsis, several can be distinguished:

• • Phalaenopsis violacea coerulea;

  • Phalaenopsis pulcherrima coerulea;

  • Phalaenopsis equestris cyanochilus.

Phalaenopsis equestris cyanochilus.

Attention! It should be understood that such plants are very rare for ordinary flower shops, but they can be purchased online in the form of seeds or children.

Wandas, Cattleyas and other orchids with photos

Vanda is a very popular flower of the orchid family. It is truly considered the royal orchid. It is a large plant with powerful aerial roots of gray-green color and large, sometimes fragrant flowers.

Its peculiarity is that Wandas do indeed meet with bright blue, blue and blue-violet, often spotted, variegated flowers.

The inflorescences themselves are racemose, can be erect or inclined, depending on the location of the plant in space. Flowers from 4 to 16.

There are also Wands of other shades:

• orange;
• purple;
• red;
• pink;
• purple;
• spotted;
• and even gray ones.

Vanda blooms, as a rule, in autumn in October-November.

Vanda coerulea is a true blue orchid.

Vanda Fuchs Blue.

Vanda Rothschildiana.

Blue Cattleya Orchid.

Cattleya C. Chapmanii coerulea.

Dendrobium cyanocentrum.

Vanda coerulescens Griffith.

Acacallis cyanea Lindley.

Disa Graminifolia Ker Gawl. ex Spreng., syn. Herschelianthe graminifolia.

Diseases and pests

Small parasite on a leaf plate

Improper care of phalaenopsis during the growing season entails a lot of problems. The flower may become sick or insects may appear on it.

Mealybug

Mealybug

Mealybug

A small parasite that infects all indoor plants and feeds on their sap. As a result of vital activity, the leaves turn yellow, disappear. For processing, you can use laundry soap, which is whipped into a foam and applied to the foliage. After 30 minutes, remove the foam and rinse the plant with a clean cloth.

Thrips

The result of the life of thrips

Thrips

Insects damage leaves and flowers. You can understand that thrips have appeared by the brown, chaotically scattered specks. They subsequently turn yellow. The appearance of the leaf plate becomes inconspicuous. For the fight, you can use drugs: "Actellik", "Hostavikom", "Fitoverm". The latter is less toxic.

Spider mite

Spider mite - an insidious pest of orchids

Spider mite

With increased dryness of the air, a spider mite will certainly start. Its appearance is evidenced by a silver cobweb that wraps around the stems of the plant.

In addition, if your orchid begins to turn yellow in indoor conditions, the flowers wither rapidly, foliage falls off, it is urgent to inspect the plant and start treatment.

For mild damage, a soap solution will help. But with a massive infection, you cannot do without special drugs. The treatment should be carried out 3 times with an interval of 7 days, diluting the purchased drug according to the instructions.

You should be aware that spider mites carry viral diseases.

Shields

Small parasites in a protective "shell"

Shields

No less nasty creatures, which are not so easy to get rid of.The fact is that their body is covered with a chitinous cover, through which chemicals do not penetrate.

And these creatures are alive and well! To get rid of the scale insects, you will first have to treat the phalaenopsis with soap foam, then rinse, dry the plant and spray it with water, in which a few drops of sewing machine oil are dissolved.

Only this method gives 100% result. The fact is that when spraying, a film is created on the stems and leaves, to which the scale insects cannot adhere.

Growing phalaenopsis is easy, which cannot be said about other types of orchids.

It is important to follow the rules of care, this is the only way to achieve gorgeous flowering. With good care, phalaenopsis will delight the eye 2 times a year, and flowering will last at least 3 months

The video below discusses 4 ways to reproduce phalaenopsis.

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History of artificially bred species

The first artificial interspecific orchid was created back in 1856 by John Dominy, and 7 years later, he also grew a hybrid of two different genera of the plant. The next step in breeding was the method of growing this flower on special sterile media, which was developed by the American scientist Knudson in the 1920s.

Thanks to her, it became possible to highlight the most remarkable properties of seedlings and develop them. Today, the number of artificially bred orchid species has already exceeded hundreds of thousands.

Of the huge number of phalaenopsis varieties, growers increasingly prefer the fragrant Wild Cat flower, the charming Multiflora, the gentle Liodoro, the elegant beauty Big Lip and the popular Mix sub-varieties.

The species diversity of pink, yellow and white phalaenopsis also attracts attention.

Pests and diseases

Fungus, mites and rot are common among the main pests of orchids. Fungus It can appear both on the leaves and in the substrate. It is treated by treatment with an antifungal solution such as phytosporin.

Ticks multiply rapidly, feeding on plant sap, and can squeeze out all the "vitality" of a flower in a short time. It is recommended to carry out regular spraying with a special solution, or soaking the flower along with the roots for 10 minutes in an insecticide.

The blue orchid requires particularly careful maintenance in summer, since rot develops intensively during this period. The infection is spreading rapidly. In order not to lose a beautiful plant, it is necessary to process the roots and remove the infected areas. Then lubricate the sections with a special substance - foundation.

How to paint an orchid at home?

Choosing a coloring agent

If the decision to become the owner is unshakable, experts recommend the plant on their own.
Unscrupulous sellers often use regular ink, after which the plant simply will not survive.

For coloring flowers specialized paints are used.
Another more or less safe way is to use food coloring.

Execution technique

The staining procedure should start with the choice of an orchid. To make the color meet expectations it is recommended to take a plant with white inflorescences.

For coloring, it is better to choose white orchids.

There are two methods of how to paint orchids:

• through watering;
• by injection.

Florists prefer the irrigation method because it is considered to be more gentle.
However, the effect of such staining is of poor quality. Together with the flowers, the petals are also colored, which makes the plant seem to be artificial, and color does not last long
... Once the blue watering is complete, the plant will quickly return to its previous color.

How the watering method works:

mix the purchased paint with water;

IMPORTANT!
The more paint, the brighter the color and the more dangerous the solution is for the health of the flower. water the flower with the resulting solution in the standard watering mode

water the flower with the resulting solution in the standard watering mode.

Voila - a unique blue flower will flaunt on the windowsill.

The second staining method, injection, flower growers do not recommend using
, since it has a detrimental effect on the state of the plant, but is more efficient.

If, nevertheless, the choice fell on this method, then preference should be given to careful methods of introducing the dye in order to cause the least harm to the plant. Usually, the dye is injected into the peduncle, stem or root.

The most dangerous method
which both weakens the plant and leaves external defects - dyeing the root or stems
... It is virtually impossible to save such a plant after flowering.

The situation is different if the dye was introduced into the peduncle. You can save a flower by simply cutting the damaged area and replanting.

The painting procedure is carried out simply:

dissolve the dye in water;
fill the syringe with the resulting solution;
carefully inject into the selected area.

Effects

Not every plant will painlessly tolerate such aggressive external interference as staining. Orchid is a capricious and whimsical plant, and even the slightest changes in care often lead to serious consequences. A painted orchid requires even more attention and care.

When staining, both leaves and roots of the plant suffer.

Often, after the transferred procedure, the orchid begins to hurt. Remember that staining does not change the genetic code, it is only a temporary measure. It is better to try to find such types of orchids, the natural color of which will be as close as possible to the desired one.

For example, if the soul asks for a blue orchid, you should pay attention to some, the natural color of which has a blue tint. Finding such plants is difficult, but possible.

After all, it is more pleasant when the eye is pleased with the natural "outfit" of flowers.

IMPORTANT!
If, after staining, the plant stops blooming or blooms with white buds - do not try again to resort to staining.

Step-by-step instructions for growing

In order for the yellow orchid to grow well and bloom, you must adhere to some rules.

Care

This flower does not need to be placed on the windowsills of the east and south windows, because burns may appear on its leaves. The plant must be protected from direct sunlight. The optimum temperature for normal development in summer is + 25 ° C ... + 30 ° C, in winter - + 20 ° C ... + 25 ° C. With a decrease to + 10 ° C ... + 15 ° C, the orchid may die.

Phalaenopsis does not need frequent watering, it is enough 2 times a week. It is advisable to pour water into a pan or place the pot in a bowl of warm water for 1-1.5 hours. The flower loves to be watered from a watering can. Such a shower is needed in order to wash away the dust from it. You cannot do this during flowering.

It is forbidden to remove aerial roots, because they take part in photosynthesis and absorb moisture from the air. Phalaenopsis is best suited for soil, which consists of tree bark and moss.

Important! If the yellow orchid acquires a silvery color, it means that it lacks moisture, and the appearance of a brown tint indicates an excess of water. As a result, the plant's roots rot.

Top dressing

Phalaenopsis needs feeding. It is necessary to use drugs Zircon or Heteroauxin. They are good root stimulants. They must be applied exclusively during watering. Top dressing is carried out once a month, and twice during the flowering period.

Transfer

If the plant is healthy, then it does not need replanting. But flower growers recommend changing the soil every 4 years, because over time it becomes rotten.

The roots, which are closely attached to the pot, must be carefully moved away, since the damage inflicted often leads to decay.
After the orchid can be pulled out of the pot, you need to rinse the roots, remove the dried ones.
There is no need to tamp fresh soil. The soil must be loose.
At the bottom of the pot there should be a drainage layer, which is used as charcoal .. Spring is considered the most favorable period for transplanting a yellow orchid.

This time is the phase of its active growth. It is not recommended to transplant the plant during its flowering period, as in this case it drops flowers

Spring is considered the most favorable period for transplanting a yellow orchid. This time is the phase of its active growth. It is not recommended to replant the plant during its flowering period, as in this case it drops flowers.

Reproduction

Yellow orchids are not bred by shoots, because they are very rarely tied, if they are tied, then they are small in size and do not germinate further.

For reproduction, use the method:

• division of the socket;
• rooting of children;
• by cuttings.

Let's consider in detail:

The method of reproduction by dividing the rosette is used if the bushes are large and strong. The plant is cut with a secateurs. Damaged roots should be powdered with charcoal so that they do not rot.
In order to propagate the orchid with children, it is recommended to increase the daylight hours. It is also necessary to create a difference between the daytime + 28 ° С ... + 30 ° С and the night + 18 ° С ... + 20 ° С temperature. Air humidity should be 70% and above. These manipulations contribute to the formation of babies on the peduncle and axils of the leaves of the mother's outlet. Then the baby is separated, the sections are processed, they are dried for a day and planted in the prepared soil.
The cuttings method consists in cutting the shoots into pieces. Each seedling obtained must have a bud, the sections must be processed with crushed coal. Then they are placed in greenhouse conditions with a temperature of + 25 ° C and high humidity.

You need to wait until 2 leaves and 3-5 centimeter roots appear. Drying of a part of the peduncle is considered normal, this is how the young plant is nourished. Before the cutting is to be planted, you need to carefully separate the dead tissue, and plant the planting material in the prepared soil.

Advice

When choosing an orchid in a store, it is better to bypass specimens with bright blue, saturated petals. These flowers are inflated with so much paint that no small amount of harm can be done to them. Often, after purchase, soon such an intensely colored orchid dies.

If you are determined to purchase a tempting blue specimen, ask the seller how the plant was colored before buying.

Examine the flower - if there are injection wounds on the trunk, you should not purchase such a plant. The introduction of paint through the trunk is more difficult for the plant than other methods.

At home, it is better not to risk painting the orchid. Not all plants will be able to survive the procedure safely. Better to opt for one of the varieties with natural light blue or purple petals.

So, a blue orchid, like a blue bird, actually turns out to be a real invention, an unrealistic dream, a deception. As we said above, there is no blue pigment in the genes of this botanical species, so color can only be obtained by staining. However, this fact should not upset flower lovers: there are other varieties, the color of the petals of which is close to blue, lilac and purple shades.

Who created the world's first blue phalaenopsis?

We found mention of only two manufacturers of such phalaenopsis. Perhaps there are many more of them, but these two are, one might say, pioneers.

The first is Silver Vase, an orchid and bromeliad farm founded in 1988 in South Florida.

In January 2011, at an industrial exhibition of tropical plants in the resort town of Fort Lauderdale (in Florida, America), they presented the Phalaenopsis Blue Mystique - the world's first blue phalaenopsis.

First in the world - at least that's what it says on their website

Here he is, handsome:

The second producer is the Dutch orchid nursery (family company) Geest Orchideeën (VG Orchids), located in the provincial town of De Lier in the south of Holland.

The Holland hosts the annual FloraHolland flower auction / competition, which awards the Glass Tulip award for the best marketing introduction of the year to the flower market.

Plants are rated in several categories: Cut Flowers, Indoor Plants, Garden Plants, and Sales Concept. In each of them, 3 winners are selected.

So, in May 2011 (3 months after the Silver Vase in Florida with its Phalaenopsis Blue Mystique) the Dutch cattery Geest Orchideeën presented its Phalaenopsis Royal Blue to the FloraHolland competition. And it won first place in the Sales Concept category.

One of the judges named it the best marketing concept for sales and said, "Consumers will have this delicious blue orchid in great demand."

What actually happens is how the jury looked into the water. For some, the desire to buy a blue orchid reaches insanity. Straight mystical orchid ...

But on the photo is the owner of the cattery "Geest Orchideeën" and his prize-winner Phalaenopsis Royal Blue, and he is just one representative of the whole Royal family (more about this family below).

And moreover, no producer hides that the next orchid bloom will be white. When sold, this is indicated on the label, and there is also information about it on their websites.

But who is still the first of them is not entirely clear. Silver Vase seemed to be the first to show the world their Blue Mystique. However, on the Geest Orchideeën website

And they also patented the dyeing technology itself, to which they came as a result of many years of experience and experimentation. Today, orchids colored according to their technology are sold all over the world: in Europe, the USA, Brazil and Japan.

The process of this technology, of course, is not released to the general public. As well as the type of dye. It is not recommended to paint orchids on your own, because there is a risk of harming them.

The manufacturers themselves do not even call this process dyeing. Here's how it is described: using the technology, phalaenopsis with white flowers are placed in a specially designed environment in which elements of natural origin are used, which makes this process safe for the plant itself.

By the way, “Geest Orchideeën” has more than one colored orchid, they have a whole collection, or, as they call it, the Royal Family. There she is:

As you can see, besides Royal Blue (top row in the middle), there are other shades here. Perhaps they really have been creating this collection since 2009, and blue turned out to be simply the most successful shade, for which he received an award.

Silver Vase also has a collection, but small - of 3 color variations.

So Phalaenopsis Royal Blue, like Blue Mystique, is neither a natural species nor a hybrid. "This is marketing, baby!"

And in Europe, colored orchids are treated in a completely different way than here. For them, it's just like a one-time beautiful bouquet. When they buy, they know that the blue color will disappear later. And many, after this happens, either throw away the plant, or resell their already white phalaenopsis on Ebay.