Orchids are welcome flowers in apartments and country houses. There are plenty of species and varieties of this plant on flower shops. You can choose for every taste and color. More recently, stores replenished with new products - bright representatives of the family with a blue and blue color. Is it an attempt to fool a buyer or is it really a miracle? How to understand whether a blue orchid is colored or not? Are there blue orchids in nature?
What does a blue orchid look like, to which family it belongs
In nature, there is no saturated blue orchid, but there are other representatives of the family with an approximate color of buds. It’s difficult to understand all kinds. A huge industry is working on the creation of new varieties, including Phalaenopsis Blue.
The appearance of a blue orchid
The systematization and classification of the family is ongoing. Breeders have done a great job of breeding hybrids that, with proper care and the creation of acceptable indoor conditions, can be grown at home.
Common varieties
This natural flower of the phalaenopsis magic blue variety has a lilac or purple color with many bright points. Cattleya is a representative of the orchid family with a natural color of buds. Compared to Wanda, the plant is less demanding to care for. She has a pleasant aroma. It can be grown at home in pots.
Wanda lilac - decoration of any garden
Worth to know! The process of growing Wanda is complicated. Not all experienced gardeners can create the right microclimate for it.
Varieties of orchids:
- Phalaenopsis Royal Blue. Blue orchid is popular among flower lovers. The plant has a pair of peduncles, 70 cm long, large roots, saturated leaves of blue color. The flowering period is almost two months.
- Phalaenopsis of Aphrodite. Bred by Japanese breeders. It is found in the Philippines, Taiwan. Distributed in northern Australia. Peduncles of short length - 40 cm, medium-sized leaves - 15 cm. There are different shades - from blue to rich purple.
What does a healthy Aphrodite orchid look like
Brief information from the history of appearance
Phalaenopsis Blue was first introduced by Silver Vase at a regular Florida flower show in January 2011. Three months later, the Dutch pleased the spectators of the Forall Holland flower contest with a new miracle. The Royal Blue Orchid was presented by Geest Orchideeёn nursery and earned a high award in the category of sales concept.
Interesting! Manufacturers do not hide the unnatural color of the buds. The secret of staining is not disclosed.
The Japanese excelled everyone in 2013 and brought out the blue orchid. The above-described phalaenopsis of Aphrodite was taken as a basis, in which the gene of the flower of the commelin was introduced.
Features of home care and in the winter
At the time of purchase, the plant does not require instant transplantation into a new pot. Blue orchid loves attention. It is necessary to observe it for some time, and only then make a decision about the landing site, capacity, and soil.
Blue orchid growing conditions
Temperature
The plant does not like sudden temperature changes. Allowable fluctuation within 5 ℃. It should be understood that a correctly set temperature regime will have a beneficial effect on the development of the flower. During the growth period, blue phalaenopsis requires heat, and at times of rest it is cool.
Important! Heat or cold for a flower is fatal. Temperature variation causes various diseases.
The room where the orchid is grown should be well ventilated. This is especially true for the winter and autumn periods in order to prevent the root system from rotting.
Lighting
Light is important for flowers. The ideal place for landing is the western part of the room. This will prevent direct sunlight. It is also acceptable to place the flower on the south side, but you need to monitor the plant and, if necessary, create a small partial shade in the heat. It is important to test the soil so that it is not dry. If the plant is located on the north side - additional lighting is required.
Worth to know! The lack of scarlet pigmentation on the inside of the leaf means that the plant does not have enough light or sunlight.
Watering
Watering orchids is necessary as the moisture evaporates. The mode is determined independently. It all depends on the location, soil and temperature in the room. It is impossible to exceed the permissible water level so that the roots do not rot. The plant tolerates well another irrigation option:
- in a basin with water placed for half an hour or an hour a pot of orchid;
- then they take it out and drain the water through special holes.
Spraying
The plant is hygrophilous, which is why it is advisable to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth after each watering, and lightly spray the plant itself with water. In this case, the growing conditions will be optimal.
Orchid Care Must Be Proper and Regular
Humidity
Recommended microclimate conditions suggest a humidity of 70% for the normal development of orchids. The permissible fluctuation range is 5-7%. Sudden changes are harmful to the plant. If the room is dry - spraying or placing trays with water or moistened expanded clay may be required.
Priming
Artificial orchids obtained by coloring are in a stressful state. They need a transplant in a new pot with fresh soil. A suitable option is a substrate of pine bark. Prerequisites - loose soil and a suitable pot, consisting of ventilated material. It is advisable to add some coal to the soil.
Top dressing
There are two types of top dressing:
- for the roots;
- foliar.
You can buy them at a flower shop. In the warm period of feeding, they are administered 2 times a month. In the cool season, you can fertilize once every 30 days. It is important to water simultaneously with the introduction of root dressing. Its alternation with foliar is recommended.
Features of winter care, rest period
Blue Phalaenopsis has seasonal grooming features. In summer, it is important to control soil moisture and regularity of spraying. Do not allow scorching sunlight on the plant. Eliminate heat indoors. The best option for protection is diffuser blinds.
During dormancy and the fall-winter season, it is important to provide the plant with light. For this, special phyto-lamps or other lighting devices are used. Watering at this time is less common, but taking into account the prevention of drying out of the soil.
Phalaenopsis flowering at home on the windowsill
When and how it blooms
Typically, in a home-grown culture, the flower blooms in the cool season. It all depends on the variety, type and conditions of detention. For an ordinary orchid, flowering will be from November to March. The color formation of Cattleya orchids takes place in the spring and lasts until the onset of cold weather. Continuous flowering can last up to six months, and in some species up to 8 months.
Pruning
Pruning must be done with a sanitized tool. The dried arrow is cut off. In order for her to give new flowers next year, it is necessary to leave a length of about 3 cm from the bud. In this case, the conditions for plant restoration in the future will be met.
How does a blue orchid breed?
Reproduction of a blue orchid is no different from ordinary phalaenopsis. These are shoots that separate with the appearance of roots. It is important that the "baby" already had leaves with a diameter of 3 cm, and the length of the roots reached at least 5 cm.
Process description:
- Separates the escape.
- Slices are disinfected with carbon powder.
- "Babies" are placed in a transparent container.
- It is advisable to pour boiling water over the substrate for a couple of minutes.
- The substrate cooled after "disinfection" is poured into the shoot pot and slightly crushed.
- Care for the "children" must be like adult orchids.
Transfer
You should not rush with a transplant of a purchased blue flower. If the orchid has been pre-painted, then it is already in a stressful state and it does not need additional sharp movements. Watch the flower for a while. When a flower is sick, its buds will begin to fall. In this case, you will need:
- Cut the painted peduncle.
- Peel the roots of the substrate and rinse them with water at room temperature.
- Cut stained or rotten roots.
- Disinfect cut points with powdered charcoal powder or cinnamon.
- Dry the plant.
- Prepare a container for planting and a fresh substrate.
- Plant an updated blue orchid.
Correct orchid transplantation is the key to her health
Pests and diseases
Among the main pests of orchids, fungus, ticks and rot are often found. 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 by feeding on the sap of the plant; they can squeeze out all the "vitality" of the flower in a short time. It is recommended to regularly spray with a special solution, or soak the flower along with the roots for 10 minutes in an insecticide.
Blue orchid requires particularly careful care in the summer, as 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 places. Sections then grease with a special substance - foundationazole.
