True Blue Orchids

Vanda coerulea var compacta, orchid species flower, blue and white flower, Pacific Orchid Expo 2015, San Francisco, CaliforniaVanda coerulea, orchid species flowers, blue and white flowers, Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CaliforniaVanda coerulescens 'Smigden', orchid species flower, blue white and purple flower, Pacific Orchid Expo 2020, San Francisco, California

Blue is a rare floral color, but the vast orchid family doesn’t disappoint, so it is possible to find true blue orchids. Some feature brilliant tones, while others have subtle hues. There are also imposters. Blue Moth Orchids in the supermarket are actually white blooms which are injected with dye. Many orchid varieties with “blue” in their names are purple instead (that’s also true for other cultivated plant families where blue flowers are uncommon.) Vandas definitely take the blue orchid crown. There are two blue species, Vanda coerulea and Vanda coerulescens, shown in the first row of photos above. A few of the numerous blue hybrids are shown in the next row below.

Vanda coerulea, orchid species flower, side view of blue and white flower, Orchids in the Park 2013, San Francisco, CaliforniaVanda Princess Mikasa 'Blue', orchid hybrid flowers, blue flowers, Pacific Orchid Expo 2016, San Francisco, CaliforniaVanda Tokyo Blue 'Sapphire', orchid hybrid flowers, blue flowers, Pacific Orchid Expo 2015, San Francisco, California

Vanda Sansai Blue, orchid hybrid flower, blue and white flower, Orchids in the Park 2016, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CaliforniaCleisocentron merrillianum 'Best Blue', orchid species flowers, blue flowers, miniature orchid, cluster of small flowers, San Francisco Orchid Society monthly meeting, August 2013, Hall of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, CaliforniaCleisocentron gokusingii, orchid species flowers, light blue flowers, miniature orchid, cluster of small flowers, Orchids in the Park 2016, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

There are other true blue orchid varieties. Two pictures in the row above show small, light blue flowers in the Cleisocentron genus, which are miniatures from Southeast Asia. I’ve never had the privilege to see Australia’s dazzling Blue Sun Orchids or Blue Caladenias, or South Africa’s Blue Disas. Without my own photos, I can’t pay them proper tribute here, but they certainly boast stunning shades. They’re not often grown outside of their native countries, and best suited for expert growers.

The orchids shown below have “blue,” “sapphire,” or “coerulea” in their names, but except for the first photo in the next row, I think they’re more purple. That first photo is a Dendrobium hybrid which includes the bluish-purple Dendrobium victoriae-reginae in its parentage. It illustrates how breeders strive for that elusive color of sea and sky. Their efforts guarantee more true blue orchids.

Dendrobium Mingles Sapphire, orchid hybrid flowers, blue and white flowers, Orchids in the Park 2011, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CaliforniaDendrobium victoria-reginae 'Blues Brothers' HCC/AOS, orchid species flowers, bluish-purple and white flowers, Orchids in the Park 2011, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CaliforniaNeostylis Lou Sneary 'Blue Bird', orchid hybrid flowers, bluish-purple and white flowers, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Rhynchostylis coelestis 'Blue Sparkle', orchid species flowers, bluish-purple and white flowers, Orchids in the Park 2019, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CaliforniaLaeliocattleya Tahoe Rose var. coerulea, orchid hybrid flower, bluish-purple and white flower, Orchids in the Park 2010, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CaliforniaZygonisia Cynosure 'Blue Birds', orchid hybrid flower, bluish-purple and white flower, Akatsuka Orchid Gardens, Volcano, Hawaii Island, Big Island, Hawaii

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