One year ago, I bought a bright purple orchid in bloom. One year later it is blooming again, but is stark white.
What caused this and how can I get it back to purple (violet)?
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1What type of orchid is it? Post a photo if you think it will give us more information.– Niall C. ♦Jun 1, 2015 at 16:13
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2 Answers
You may actually have purchased a "dyed" orchid. While a very few varieties of phaleonopsis in the blue/purple family exist, they are rare, and will produce the same colored flowers each blooming season. They're also a lighter, less vibrant color than the one you're describing.
Most orchids in that color spectrum are actually white orchids which have gone through a patented process of injecting dye into the plant. It is explained here:
During the growth process, the stalk of a white phalaenopsis orchid is injected with a blue dye solution. The intervention is performed in an environment that keeps the infection risk for the plant at a minimum. The blue color is absorbed by the orchid and creates a blue flower. Subsequent flowerings will result in white blooms.
The dye is not available to the public, nor are the exact steps of the procedure. Do-it-yourself dyeing is not encouraged, and at every home gardener’s own risk.
What has been upsetting Blue Mystique and Royal Blue Phal customers is that they believed to be buying a real blue orchid. In response to controversy that has been picked up by the media, growers now use product labels to inform buyers that a white orchid has been treated in order to produce those magnificent blue flowers, and that future blooms will be white.
Whether this is the case with yours or not, I have to agree that from now on, the flowers will be white. Obviously you've kept it healthy, so I hope you can learn to like it! Of course, you can always pick up another purple one, bearing in mind that it may only be that color for one season!
answered Jun 1, 2015 at 19:29
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GLSue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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1Thanks, Sue That's probably it. It was fairly cheap at a supermarket. There were dozens on display. Lots of jazzy colors. Step mom had one that bloomed a fuschia color every year for years. Guess this one won't. Thanks again. Jun 1, 2015 at 22:42
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@WilliamSproat - I'm confused - you said your plant was purple, not blue? Was it purple or was it blue? The treatment described is to create blue, not purple, because these plants do not have the genetic capacity to produce a proper blue - but they can manage purple.– BambooJun 2, 2015 at 11:16
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1It was purple, as stated in the question. I know hydrangeas can be made to bloom pink or blue by changing soil pH. Just wanted to know if I could do something to make it bloom purple next time. It was probably a dye-injected plant. Jun 3, 2015 at 17:56
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Hydrangea grow in lots of color, and blue is a natural color. I most often see them green or white however. There are some blue ones in the area.– EscoceJun 3, 2015 at 21:16
If your orchid is a Phaleonopsis or moth orchid, these do come in a range of colours, including purple and white. Because of that, its quite possible for your originally purple one to bloom a different colour the following year - its just a genetic blip, or a reversion in the DNA, and there's not much you can do about it I'm afraid.
