The orchid, itself, is real.
Unfortunately, the blue color of the blossom is not.
Attempts by botanists and horticulturists to genetically modify plants to produce blue blooms have largely been unsuccessful.
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Dye is transported to the flowers via water through the xylem of the stem.
Water-based dyes are not fixed, which means they can run and stain material they contact.
Be sure to keep the flowers from getting wet if you purchase a blue phalaenopsis orchid.
Vanda coerulearawintanpin / Getty Images
To be on the safe side, keep the plant out of reach from small hands and paws.
Hygiene, along with the use of sterile tools and practices, is an important part of orchid care.
Watch for signs and isolate the orchid, if necessary.
Thelymitra crinitaSamantha Haebich / Getty Images
Water
Blue-dyed orchids need more water than a regular orchid.
Water three to four times a week in hot weather.
During cool months, you’re able to scale back to twice a week.
Rhynchostylis coelestisRaththaphon Wanjit / Getty Images
Sunlight
Blue-dyed orchids need direct sunlight to bloom, ideally between one to three hours per day.
The ideal humidity level for these plants is between 40-85%.
Here are a few known species.
Dendrobium cyanocentrumOrchi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
No, the process was first introduced in 2011 and has continued to grow.
Artificially-dyed orchids are widely available at grocery outlets, big box stores, garden centers, and online.
Disa graminifoliaLauraGRossHC / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Acacallis cyaneaMaja Dumat / flickr / CC BY 2.0
