Luvachicken Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 (edited) In April 2012 I bought a lovely blue orchid. It was one of the most expensive orchids I've had and one that has flowered the least. It came with flowers which lasted a while, then the flower stem died back like they do. It grew some more leaves and never flowered again, until recently. It has taken it over 20 months to produce a flower shoot and some buds. Finally after waiting so long for a pretty blue flower, a bud has opened to reveal ....................a white flower Not even a hint of blue. The orchid only came with normal orchid instructions. Nothing about how to keep it blue. I think it must have been fed with blue dye to have made it have the deep blue flowers it had. Do you think I should complain to the garden centre. I didn't really want a plain white orchid - that's why I bought a blue one. And it cost me £25 so not in the least bit cheap. I wish I'd bought the blue ones I have seen in Tesco since - they were a lot cheaper. I'm cross and slightly disappointed. Edited January 10, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Is it a bit like blue carnations - been fed blue water?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbug Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Do you think I should complain to the garden centre. I didn't really want a plain white orchid - that's why I bought a blue one. And it cost me £25 so not in the least bit cheap. I would complain 'not as stated' 'not fit for purpose'. £25 is a lot of money. It certainly wouldn't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I've always assumed that the blue orchids I've seen (Tesco have some almost electric blue phalanopsis at the moment) are coloured artificially in some way - I'd guess at sprayed? I don't think anything that blue could be natural in an orchid? It might also explain why it's taken a while to re-flower - I wouldn't think being "messed with" colour wise would do it much good? What sort of orchid is it? By all means have a go at the garden centre where you got it - let us know how you got one, but in the meantime, enjoy your (not blue) orchid!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Did a quick Google on this and unearthed the following which explains how the blue is achieved and why your new flowers are now white ... http://forum.theorchidsource.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/307801/Thoughts_on_Blue_Phalaenopsis.html Interesting!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Ahh I thought that too as my aunt used to dye carnations to match bridesmaids outfits for wedding flowers in her hotel. Just sat them in the blue water or whatever colour and they took it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 Did a quick Google on this and unearthed the following which explains how the blue is achieved and why your new flowers are now white ...http://forum.theorchidsource.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/307801/Thoughts_on_Blue_Phalaenopsis.html Interesting!!! That explains a lot. And my orchid is one of those shown I wouldn't mind so much if when you buy them you then get told subsequent flowerings will be white. That really is not on. I think I will phone the garden centre tomorrow and see what they say (Squires at Badshot Lea) Perhaps I should ask for my money back and get the cheaper blue one from Tesco. I wouldn't have paid £25 for a white one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyBean2605 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Definately! £20 is the most I've ever paid for one and that was at the NEC show where they hike the prices up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 This place http://blueorchid.org/the-mystique-of-the-blue-phal.html says the same as the other link, but also that growers should label the orchids to say future flowers would be white. I would double check your label for this, and if there is nothing, I would confidently contact the garden centre and ask for your money back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 I phoned Squires this afternoon and although helpful she said there wasn't anything they could do. She said that at the time they had put posters up saying subsequent flowers would be white - but obviously no posters on the days I went and that they no longer sell the blue ones. I explained to her that I wouldn't have bought a white one for £25 and she just kept saying they don't sell them anymore and that other people were happy with their white ones I have checked the label, it just says Squires on it with the price. Oh well, like Bramble said I will just have to enjoy it as it is. It does now have 2 flowers open so should look really pretty by the time they all open. Ho hum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 They do according to their website. No details that they'd be white flowers after all the blue had gone either. No info at all in fact. I would send an email, or phone if you prefer, their head office. £25 is a lot of money when you can buy plain white ones, even in M&S for £9 - thats almost three pots of them for the same price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 I will phone them again tomorrow and ask for the number of their head office. As you say Bluekarin I could have bought one in M and S - and bought a cake with the change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Good luck! Hope they will be more helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 I decided to send them an email. I get a bit flustered on the phone sometimes and decided it was easier to write everything rather than forget to say important things..............so now I just need to wait for a reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 10, 2014 Author Share Posted January 10, 2014 I got a reply from my email today Head office said they would send me a cheque for the value of the orchid and apologised that it didn't come with details explaining about future flowers I'm very pleased with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Yay! Common sense prevails! Good on your for persevering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Well done, that is a good result. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbug Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 that is great news good outcome good job head office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 I agree it was a good outcome indeed. I get to keep the original orchid and get my money back too I did write back and say I was pleased with their quick response and the offer of a refund. I would have been happy with a refund of the difference in price of the two orchids but my daughter said I should take all the money - so I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Brilliant, well done, you can buy some more orchids with the refund !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 Brilliant, well done, you can buy some more orchids with the refund !!!! I don't think so Bramble - I have 8 others - so more than enough. Maybe a little present for my chickens instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 A little present for yourself, I'd say. After all that annoyance and timewasting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 A little present for yourself, I'd say. After all that annoyance and timewasting. Hmmmm........ but what to buy ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Great outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Wellllll if you want blue, how about streptocarpus. They look a little like orchids and fairly easy to grow (MIL has a house full of them - all sorts of colours). Or African violet? Badshot Lea, yep been there a few times. Got a berberis bush from there and I can't remember whether I got it for being evergreen or the red leaved deciduous. But it now grows both on the same shrub! Didn't take it back as it's been around a while (not doing very well either along with some holly that I bought but then that's more like my grotty ground which is probably stuffed with builders rubble). Meant to add - good result!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
