My most recent slipper blooming. Its first blooming for me. I didn't think I would ever buy one because I know one day the plant will be a monster in size, but two elderly growers sold it to me at a good price earlier this year.
Phragmipedium longifolium was named for its long leaves (yay! sometimes names do decribe the plant, too many slippers are named after people). This slipper is often used in phrag breeding for its vigor and many of today's hybrids have its genes in it somewhere along the line. It tolerates a wide range of temperatures and mature plants can be blooming non-stop. Mine has already sent the new growth for next blooming, it's really weedy and its hybrids enherit this weediness.
It's blooms are somewhat plain in colour (compared to besseae) but definitely not boring. The petals seem to shift positions all the time! (I think to get all the twists in) This photo was taken this morning in the cool sept weather outside but I think the bloom has changed slightly already. I had to took so many photos already because its petals kept changing unexpectedly. I didn't know how many twists to expect as the species can vary
Phrag longifolium
Lots of stuff happening with this orchid...great job! 
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