Monday, January 24, 2011

Everlasting Orchids

This is the only way I will have orchids in my house long term.  They are such beautiful flowers but I don't seem to be able to get them to re-bloom.  If any of you know how to get that to happen, I sure would appreciate any tips.  How often do they bloom each year?  I don't know, it seems easier to give the plants that are done blooming to my friend to pamper and then just buy new plants for the house that have fresh blooms.  Or...I'll hang up this picture and then I will always have orchids blooming in the house. That's much easier, I think.

Everlasting Orchids
Image Size 22" x 15"
Watercolor

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Posted by Nancy Goldman at 5:54 PM
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18 comments:

  1. Nan JohnsonJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Hi Nancy - this is just beautiful. Love the composition you did on this, and the flowers are so beautiful. I have the same problem with orchids and will watch to see what advice you get regarding re-blooms. I have a beautiful, green leaf plant - no flowers. Bloomed prolific when I first brought it home, but then - done & none! Maybe I should paint them also & hang it - then I would have them always too!

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  2. Autumn LeavesJanuary 25, 2011 at 3:14 AM

    Absolutely beautiful, Nancy. I'm like you and would do it the easiest way. Buy new! LOL

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  3. Nancy GoldmanJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    Thanks Nancie. I'm also waiting and hoping for some good advice. One friend of mine is probably hoping that I don't get any advice because she gets all of my non-flowering orchids. I'm not sure if they re-bloom for her but she always seems happy when I pass them her way. : )

    Thanks Sherry. Yes, there is nothing quite as beautiful as an orchid plant that's been freshly purchased. We have a store here ( Trader Joe's) that has beautiful plants that are very inexpensive. They are cheaper than buying a floral arrangement and they last a lot longer so when I look at it that way, I don't feel as guilty about getting rid of the plant. After all, I would be throwing cut flowers away a lot sooner, right?

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  4. Maria Soto RobbinsJanuary 26, 2011 at 5:40 AM

    Nancy, very pretty composition and colors.I love it! Unfortunately I don't have any advice on the blooms. I hang them from a fence in a shady part of my yard and they never seems to re-bloom after that!

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  5. Nancy GoldmanJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Thanks Maria. I have seen orchids in some gardens around here blooming like crazy but I think they are a different kind than this. I would probably have the same problem as you do if I tried putting them outside.

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  6. RobinJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    I love the composition, it's not just the orchids, its so much more. I actually do have orchids in my home, and the only thing is, it takes months between blooms and the plant is not that attractive when it's flowerless. I keep them near a window, keep them moist, and wait patiently!

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  7. Nancy GoldmanJanuary 26, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Thanks Robin. When your orchids do re-bloom, are they as beautiful as the first time? I'm not sure I have the patience to wait. You are right, the foliage alone is pretty unimpressive.

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  8. Theresa PadenJanuary 26, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    Beautiful painting, Nancy!

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  9. Nancy GoldmanJanuary 27, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Thank you Theresa.

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Nancy...I am so with you on the orchids....They are a near bi-monthly purchase for me at Trader Joes (aren't they a great find there?)...and i too can never get them to re-bloom...and I too have a friend that loves taking my orphaned plants and does wonderfully in re-blooming them. Lovely painting today nancy. hope to see you around soon.- Julie

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  11. RobinJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    my orchids have always continued to bloom as beautiful as the first time except the stem changes because there is a cut tip below where the last flowers fell off, maybe that is a visual distraction from the plant.

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  12. Nancy GoldmanJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Thanks Julie, I'm glad I'm not the only person that is orchid challenged.

    So Robin, are you saying that you don't cut the stem all of the way off after the blooming is done? I cut the whole stem off down to the leaves. Maybe that is my problem.

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  13. Ross LynemJanuary 28, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    I love the title! And the painting too! I've tried flowers and find them to be quite the challenge. I greatly admire those who can do them. Beautifully done. My Mother-in-law is the Orchid queen and i will ask her how she does it. I'll let you know what she says..

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  14. Ross LynemJanuary 28, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Okay ladies here is what my Mother-in-law told me about Orchids. She has them blooming all year long. She has a lot of them lined up in her south facing window. First, she thinks they need company and do not do well on their own. Second, they need a rest after they bloom. She said it takes about a month. Third, she takes them to the sink and runs luke warm water through the pot to soak the soil but never lets them sit in water. She says they do not like to have their feet wet...??? She does that every two weeks. And lastly, she gives them Orchid food once a month. That's it! Hope this helps..

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  15. Nancy GoldmanJanuary 28, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Thanks for all of this info Ross. I never thought about them needing company but that's a good point if for no other reason but that they would look better being in a group. Also, why wouldn't they want some friends? We all need friends, right?
    When you say that they need to rest for a month after they bloom, does that mean not to water them during that time?
    I understand about the no wet feet and I like that they only need to be watered every two weeks ( it takes at least that long for me to remember to water my house plants) so I will have to give this a try.

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  16. Marian FortunatiJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Very nice...

    I've only been able to get one type of orchid to rebloom is Phalaenopsis (I THINK).

    But your everlasting ones are beautiful!

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  17. Gary KeimigJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    very nicely done. your doing some really great flower work.

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  18. Nancy GoldmanJanuary 29, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Thanks Marian and Gary. Flowers have always been a favorite subject of mine.

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