'Orchid' © Tracy Hall 2009
12" x 16" watercolour on Arches
This lovely plant was a gift and I happily settled down to paint it, taking some photos as well, as always, 'just in case'. But of course orchids bloom for so long it wouldn't be necessary to use them to complete the painting, I felt sure. I had to leave it for a few days to meet some deadlines, but...orchids bloom for so long, I wasn't unduly worried.
Until I noticed the flowers starting to turn brown and wilt. Within a couple of days the entire stem was dead and not a single bloom remained. In all the years we have had orchids, I've never seen that before. Anyone out there know what the trouble could be?! I am hoping it was just very traumatised after whatever it had been through prior to arriving in my kitchen and that when it has had a chance to settle down it will manage to flower again successfully. I also haven't been able to identify it, which would possibly help, but think it may be a kind of Cymbidium. The nursery had helpfully provided no information whatsoever! The photos weren't brilliant, but at least enabled me to finish it.
Until I noticed the flowers starting to turn brown and wilt. Within a couple of days the entire stem was dead and not a single bloom remained. In all the years we have had orchids, I've never seen that before. Anyone out there know what the trouble could be?! I am hoping it was just very traumatised after whatever it had been through prior to arriving in my kitchen and that when it has had a chance to settle down it will manage to flower again successfully. I also haven't been able to identify it, which would possibly help, but think it may be a kind of Cymbidium. The nursery had helpfully provided no information whatsoever! The photos weren't brilliant, but at least enabled me to finish it.
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8 comments:
This is beautiful Tracy. Orchids usually do last longer than you indicated and it was probably just shocked coming out of a greenhouse atmosphere. You got it on paper before it went "downhill" though.
Hi Tracy, I don't know this kind of orchid. I hope that yours will be flowering again. That is a very beautiful painting a nice composition. Like it.
But I must say that your newest miniature is FANTASTIC Tracy. I love how you create your stories and add so much detail in your miniatures. The blue on the old door is wonderful and the grass so much detailed.And all the rest is also WOW, WOW, WOW.
Will it come into a show or into a gallery? I am sure it is a winner. One day I will come and visit you and look over your shoulder when you paint one!
Hi Tracy,
This looks great, a little bigger for a change of pace huh?
I wish you had a little piece of it enlarged too so we could have a good look at your painting, I'd love to put my nose closer to see those flowers!! hahaha...it looks great!
Mary
Thanks Mollie, here's hoping it bounces back!
Thanks Doris, that one will be going to the Hilliard Society show I think. Wouldn't that be fun to get to paint together!
Hi Mary - no probelm, added a close up. Hope you like it.
Your work on any subject matter is beautiful. Love these flowers.
Great painting! My mother always swears that the ones I send her via M&S last for months - and what's more she has them all lined up on her kitchen windowsill waiting for the next flowering!
Plants misbehaving is often down to having experienced great changes in temperature. They can often live in a wide range but they don't like change. A possibility?
That's a hybrid Cymbidium, and likely it was just the change in temp and/or humidity that caused the blooms to go. If you don't see any major problems with the plant itself, then it should rebloom for sure.
Lovely painting!
Thats very kind of you Terry :)
Thanks so much Katherine and Jala for your input, and for identifying it! I hope it will come back ok once it has adjusted.
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