Blue & Black Orchids: Do They Really Exist?
Author: Celeste Booth15 Comments
Orchids blossom in a variety of different beautiful colors. Vibrant reds, pinks, purples…the list goes on. There are two shades, however, that orchids do not naturally blossom in: a true blue or a true black. They simply do not have the genetic makeup to make these pigments. There are some varieties of purple orchids that look very blue, but upon close inspection are really a shade of purple. Similarly, black orchids have an extremely rich pigmentation that looks almost black but is not a true black color.
So what about the bright blue orchids you may have seen at your local Lowe’s or grocery store? Those are actually white orchids that have been artificially dyed blue. If they were to blossom again, they would have white flowers. And while they look exotic and vibrant, once you know they have just been dyed that color, they lose much of their charm.
Even though there exist no pure blue or black orchids, the following varieties are among some of the closest shades of blue or black you will find in nature:
Cyanicula gemmata
Disa graminifolia
Dendrobium dedicatulum
Cymbidium Kiwi Baron
Dracula vampira
Paphiopedilum Stealth
Image credits:
Dendrobium dedicatulum: Eerika Schulz
Cymbidium Kiwi Baron: Orquideas.com
Dracula vampira: Eric Hunt
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15 Responses to “Blue & Black Orchids: Do They Really Exist?”
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Hello and thank you for the info, wanted to be proud when I read the name of another south African but the proud was short lived, shame the lady is so rude, was just an oversight and you did give credit and a link. Not all like that keep up the info Regards
Thank you for the kind words!
Hello, I’m looking for blue orchids for my girlfriend which she’s in love with she says she’s had them in the past and they grew back blue. I’m not sure what type they were but would love the closest to that color and willing to pay top but fair dollar for. Thank you
Hi Mike,
We don’t sell orchids ourselves. You might try http://www.seattleorchid.com and see if they have any orchids close to what you’re looking for. Best of luck!
Thank you so much for clarifying the difference between natural black orchids. My son and I have been pondering the question about black orchids. My mother who has green fingers grows the most amazing orchids I’ve ever seen.
Once again thank you – its a shame about the lady who does not want to share a picture she took! It was most likely not even grown by her! It’s a blessing to share beautiful things with others. Keep up the good work
I have in flower now what is quite new to the orchid world known as a black orchard , Monnierara Millennium Magic (witchcraft) FCC/ AOS , its very hard to photograph the beauty of the flower cause of the darkness
Wow
THE INFO AND THE PICS WERE FAB.
Where would you recommend buying orchid seedlings?
I believe they have completely forgotten, the blue Vanda’s
Blue vandas aren’t true blue – they’re more like bluish purple. There are also coerulea variants of Cattleya and Phalaenopsis violacea in this colour range. The closest you might come to true blue orchids are probably found in the Thelymitra genus.
There are true blue orchids. Just google Thelymitra for example. Also true black occurs in the lip of the green Coelogyne pandurata
I saw true black orchids in the jungles on Papua, however it is illegal to remove them from the island
They are very beautiful and attractive.