Because blue flowers are uncommon, many gardeners are intrigued by the idea of having plants with blue blooms.
You may have seen blue orchids, but do blue orchids really exist? They may or may not.
Legitimate blue orchids are Boella coelestis, Blue Vanda, and Thelymitra crinite. Most other blue orchids are artificially blue variants, usually within the Phalaenopsis family.
What Makes Flowers Blue?
As previously mentioned, blue flowers are uncommon. Sometimes a subtle layer of something on a plant may lead to a plant appearing blue.
In the global ecosystem, only a small proportion of plants contain blue pigments.
With regards to flowering plants, a mere 10% of known species are blue. They are blue due to an organic compound called delphinidin.
This pigment is also found in:
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Pomegranates
Plants are not blue simply because they lack delphinidin pigment.
Scientists can ‘create’ blue flowers using research techniques like cross pollination or genetic engineering.
However, the plants created will not pass the pigment onto their offspring.
Dye and paint can also turn a flower blue. Painted flowers stand out since they will have a texture that is not smooth and rough.
Dyeing flowers can make flowers appear genuine and a dyed flower could easily be misidentified as a flower in nature.
Naturally-occurring Blue Orchids
Do blue orchids exist?
Certainly! There are a few varieties of orchids that produce flowers that are naturally blue.
Some naturally blue orchids include:
- Boella coelestis
- Blue Vanda
- Thelymitra crinite
Let’s review them below.
1. Boella coelestis
Native to the Andes Mountains of South America, the Boella Coelestis can be challenging to grow at home. This is why they are rare, because you pretty much have to be an expert grower to get them to bloom.
As for shade: the blue flowers actually lean toward purple.
It blooms with up to a dozen leaves and large flowers offered about 4 inches wide, and, it has a nice fragrance.
The Boella Coelestis does not have pseudobilbs, so you will need to water your plants at least every two days, and in dry areas, everyday.
Also – These orchids will survive with low light, but they generally like bright aside and not in direct sunlight.
Finally, for location, the humidity has to be over 80% and can only be formed in a greenhouse.
2. Blue Vanda (Vanda coerulea)
The Blue Vanda is probably the most commonblue orchid.
Unfortunately, they can be costly to obtain because of its popular demand.
This species was originally found by Dr. William Griffith, a botanist, in 1837 while working in Northeast India and in close proximity to the Himalayas.
Sadly, the specimen died en route to England for study.
Later, another botanist would rediscover the species many years later, and he collected his own specimens and was able to carry out his own detailed survey of the blooming plant.
Multiple authorities confirmed that Vanda coerulea originated from Asia.
The plant grows in:
- China
- Myanmar
- India
- and Thailand
The blooms have delicate flowers with narrow petals that sprout on tall spikes.
The Blue Doncala are to small trees with very few leaves and grow up to about thirty spikes.
The blue pigment found on Blue Doncala are used by botanists and horticulturists to create blue orchid cultivars.
Few People Know: The flowers also help with ocular complications including glaucoma. Scientists are also determining if Blue Doncala can slow aging.
3. Blue Lady Orchid (Thelymitra crinite)
If you are a purist, the Blue Lady orchid is the perfect selection.
While it may not have a noticeable scent at all, it is the bluest orchid there is.
It is also among the bluest blooming plants. It has a center with black and yellow columns, which some refer to it as the Sun orchid.
The Blue Lady orchid is endemic to a small region in Western Australia. The spike may reach 39 inches tall and can support flowers with a diameter of an inch and a half.
In addition to being tiny, the flowers bloom between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Thelymitra crinite thrives in hot conditions and high humidity, particularly in coastal, forested, and swampy areas.
Although it is not an endangered species, it is nearly impossible to find outside its native habitats.
Artificial Blue Orchids
Blue Mystique and Blue Phalaenopsis are the two most prominent artificial blue orchids.
While both have been dyed, Blue Mystique is a proprietary dye formula, making it more expensive.
How Are Blue Orchids Made?
Dyeing is the way to make imitation blue orchid flowers.
This begins with choosing the whitest plants, like the phalaenopsis species.
Any other color may work, but they are generally not as nice.
After getting healthy plants, the next step is injecting blue dye into the floral stem.
As the plant brings water up from the potting medium, the dye will enter and change the color of the flower away from the original color.
While the final dyed flower looks real, it is immediately evident by the dyed color pattern.
- If it’s not consistent, the blue color isn’t real.
- Another clue is the saturation of the color – deep blue, and turquoise blue are not natural to the orchid family.
- It is important to remember that dye only lasts so long. Once the current bloom ends, all new flowers will be the color of the species.
For this reason, many folks opt to use artificial blue orchids for a wedding, birthday party, or a special occasion.
However, the future looks bright.
A university in Japan is genetically modifying a blue Phalaenopsis.
Basically, it’s a process that involves inserting genes into orchids from Asiatic dayflower.
If the project to produce a blue orchid is successful, the genetic blue will show up when the orchid blooms again.
How to Grow Your Blue Orchids
Cultivating blue orchids is complicated and only for experienced gardeners.
As a beginner, it is best to start with the easier-to-grow varieties such as Cattleya and Phalaenopsis.
As you build up some experience you can begin to try blue orchids starting with the Blue Vanda.
Vandas can be particularly challenging to grow indoors due to their needs.
For example, the day temperature should be around 25°C and should never drop below 16°C at night.
In addition, the Blue Vanda prefers direct sunlight except during the hottest part of the day.
If your location does not receive adequate sunlight, you’ll probably need to invest in some artificial lighting.
Also, you’ll need to maintain humidity levels above 80%. To achieve this, you must invest in an industrial quality humidifier or downsize your greenhouse.
You will not be comfortable in the growing zones.
And lastly: You must water daily while applying the proper amount of fertilizer, and at various points, you must look at the roots to ensure overcrowding is not an issue.
Are Blue Orchids Safe for Human Consumption?
Most natural orchids are edible and are considered a delicacy in some cultures.
This is NOT true for artificial blue orchids.
Because companies don’t disclose what chemicals they used to create their dye, it’s best not to eat artificial blue orchids.
Are Blue Orchids Safe to Household Pets?
Pets are inquisitive creatures and enjoy putting many things in their mouths.
Although a small amount of blue orchids will not harm your cat, the dye in the orchids can cause mild to severe dermatitis and mucosal inflammation.
As for Dogs – the dyed orchids are a much smaller threat to their health.
Dogs have a resilient lining of the stomach to deal with strange things like shoes, batteries, and dyed orchids.
The compounds in your dog’s gut will excrete harmful chemicals without harming their health.
Alternative Blue Flowers
As demonstrated above, blue orchids can be pricey, and requires a lot of work to keep alive.
Died orchids can be reasonably priced, but the color won’t last and they can have negative effects on you and your animals.
If you’re looking for a thriving blue plant there are many more affordable and easier options.
These include:
- Cornflower – this species is easy to establish and has a compact growth habit, attractive, bright flowers and vibrant blue flower color.
- Delphinium – even if its blue color tends toward purple, it has a sensational appearance and requires little care.
- Himalayan Poppy – is the bluest (naturally flowering) plant in the world however, it needs a bit more care than the others.
- Hydrangea – if your soil is acid, it would be worth growing.
Final Words
The excitement around blue orchids makes sense. They are beautiful and unique.
However, unique also means they are hard to find and expensive.
Dyed orchids are easier to come by but the appearance is only temporary.
That said, it is what it is; hope for the day when scientists find a way to make these amazing creatures easier to access and more affordable!