Will man's offenses against good taste & Mother Nature never cease?

[Paul]

Well folks, it has happened. We who are orchid enthusiasts are no longer alone in our angst with the plants we love being defaced by marketers dying them unnatural colors. No, gentle reader, our aesthetic good taste is not the only casulty of marketing. It has now spread like a virulent plague. No longer are orchids dyed hideous shades of blue or other abhorrent colors the only travesties out there to offend our delicate sensibilities. Cacti/succulents have also fallen victim.

The following pictures are not pretty sights. You may wish to send the children out of the room lest they be traumatized. You may also wish to have a plastic bag or trash can by your side in case the sight of these poor abominations makes you ill and you are unable to get to the bathroom in time to vomit.

[cbuchman]

OMG....

[orchidsarefun]

look on the bright side
- the plants will "grow" out of that dye
- if it encourages someone to have a love of plants, then I have nothing against it.

Actually having come to the USA from another country, it amazes me that most people in my area have absolutely no interest in having a garden. A foundation planting, unchanged since the house was built, is good enough. I think its sad because I derive such great pleasure and relaxation from my hobby......but I suppose everyone has their own thing.

[camille1585]

Aaaahhhhhhhhhh, run! Good grief those are not a pretty sight.

I'm very very lucky to live in a country (Netherlands) where the inhabitants love of plants comes only second to their love of bicycles (or maybe third, if you include their unhealthy winter obsession with ice and skating). Stores get peoples attention not by offering dyed plants, but by selling all sorts of awesome and unusual houseplants. No artificial oddballs here. I'm as happy as a clam here, especially with so many cheap orchids! Don't get me started on their gardens, some can be considered works of art.

[Bud]

I sympathise with you, Paul....but it is not harming the plants or the buyer....in fact look at it this way: the plants are thriving happily and healthy with make-up, lipstick and rouge on....like the fashion models in a glossy magazine they need to be dolled up for marketing purposes....in time they will go back to their natural form and the painted make-up dye will be gone as orchidsarefun said....

[orchidsarefun]

and I saw those blue phals at Hausermann's the other day. There is no accounting for taste, but I am sure H are happy to get the extra $10-15 they charge per blue orchid.