How To Dye Orchids Blue. 2 Easy Ways

You can quickly learn how to dye orchids blue in two simple ways. Submersion and infusion are trusted techniques for changing the color of orchids. After all, blue flowers are very rare naturally, which makes blue orchids more coveted in gardens and greenhouses. 

Sadly, it’s hard to breed blue-colored orchids, and even Vanda orchids are closer to the color purple. To achieve eye-catching blue orchids, grow your plants in the greenhouse to ensure quality flowers. Afterward, try the two methods below and experiment with color concentrations until you achieve the blue color you’re looking for. 

Guide For How To Dye Orchids Blue

There are two main techniques to dye orchids blue. If you want to use cut flowers, the submersion method is the appropriate one. On the other hand, the slightly meticulous infusion method gives a more satisfying result because of how it distributes the blue color in the orchid. 

Submersion

Submersion is the easiest way to dye your orchids blue. If you’re familiar with dying tulips and roses, you can apply a similar technique when you’re dyeing orchids. Use cut white orchid flowers complete with stems and submerge them in the colored water. 

You can use water-soluble food coloring to create a solution for submersion. The amount of colorant you’ll use will dictate the color intensity of your resulting blue orchids. But what if you don’t want to use cut flowers for dyeing?

Sadly, the result wouldn’t be as pleasing when you do this technique with living orchids. After all, the roots of these flowers do not collect water very well. Nonetheless, if you managed to successfully dye living orchids to your desired blue shade, it can be a long-term result. 

Infusion

If you opt to dye orchids blue using infusion, you might get a more satisfying result. This technique is common in the market to create blue butterfly orchids. You can easily differentiate them because the aerial roots show a gradual blue color, and there’s a site in the pedicel that received the infusion. 

The infusion technique of dyeing orchids is where you directly inject the dye inside the flower stem using a needle. You will create a small hole to create a pathway in the plant’s stem to inject the hypodermic needle. However, you’ll be using a special dye for this method.

It will take 24 hours to see orchids change color, and for best results, use fresh orchid buds that haven’t flowered yet. To seal the hole you’ve just injected, you will also have to cover it with wax. The result looks more natural, but it’s worth noting that it takes practice and even help from a professional to infuse orchids successfully. 

You want to use the right dye and ensure that it will distribute well in flower. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging your orchids with improper injection. Overall, the infusion is more technical but gives a more satisfying result. 

What Happens When Dyed Orchids Rebloom?

Dyed orchids and their resulting blue flowers will surely stand out in any garden. However, you’ve taken care of these plants in the greenhouse, and it would be a shame for them to get damaged after dyeing. If you have done the methods above, what will happen to the orchid when it reblooms?

The best flowers for dyeing are the white ones, and when your plants give off new blooms, they will also be white. An excellent technique to get fresh blooms in blue would be dyeing the flowers in the bud stage. However, do not expect that the color would be as intense.

How To Care For A Dyed Orchid

Dyeing orchids is not a natural process. Therefore, you can expect that it will make the plants more sensitive to environmental conditions. For example, the fluctuating light and temperature can cause damage easier than before.

A greenhouse can help keep your dyed orchids looking vibrant and healthy because it maintains the environment. Also, there aren’t really any unique practices that you must do for dyed orchids. It is only worth emphasizing that they are more susceptible to environmental changes. 

Take care of your dyed orchids the same way you’ll take care of any orchid. The temperature and humidity shouldn’t be extreme, and the plants should be well hydrated. If you chose to infuse orchids, remember to cover the hole with wax after injecting them with dye.

Conclusion

If you ever saw a blue orchid, you probably thought of cultivating them yourself. However, the truth behind these unique flowers lies in how to dye orchids blue using two methods. It’s surprising, but the color blue is not common among flowers, especially with orchids.

This leads to the invention of submersion and infusion to dye white orchids into the blue. You can even dye orchids in their bud stage so that the new blooms will be in a lighter blue color. Cut flowers are ideal for submersion, while fresh orchid buds respond well to infusion. 

However, do note that dyed orchids will require attentive care because the process makes them more susceptible to environmental changes. And if you opt to inject the plants yourself, be diligent to avoid damages on the plant. Using a greenhouse will create vigorous plants that will handle dyeing well, and it can provide a consistent environment for the protection of dyed plants.