Phragmipedium longifolium

Also known as: The Long or Phragmipedium longifolium f. minutum Paphiopedilum roezlii Selenipedium roezlii Phragmipedium hartwegii f. baderi Selenipedium gracile Phragmipedium hartwegii var. baderi Paphiopedilum longifolium var. hincksianum Paphiopedilum hartwegii Paphiopedilum hincksianum Paphiopedilum longifolium var. hartwegii Selenipedium longifolium var. roezlii Selenipedium reichenbachii Selenipedium dariense Phragmipedium longifolium var. longifolium Selenipedium longifolium var. gracile Selenipedium longifolium var. coloratum Phragmipedium longifolium f. chapadense Selenipedium longifolium var. hincksianum Paphiopedilum longifolium var. dariense Phragmipedium longifolium f. hartwegii Phragmipedium longifolium h.v. longifolium h.f. album Phragmipedium longifolium f. roezlii Selenipedium longifolium var. hartwegii Cypripedium roezli Phragmipedium longifolium var. dariense Phragmipedium longifolium var. splendidum Phragmipedium longifolium var. coloratum Selenipedium longifolium var. splendidum Phragmipedium longifolium h.f. obscurum Cypripedium reichenbachii Cypripedium longifolium var. gracile Cypripedium roezlii Cypripedium hartwegii Cypripedium hincksianum Selenipedium hincksianum Cypripedium reichenbachianum Phragmipedium chapadense Phragmipedium longifolium var. roezlii Selenipedium hartwegii Phragmipedium longifolium var. hincksianum Phragmipedium longifolium var. chapadense Phragmipedium longifolium f. gracile Cypripedium longifolium var. hincksianum Cypripedium longifolium var. hartwegii Phragmipedium hincksianum Phragmipedium longifolium h.v. roezlii h.f. minutum Phragmipedium longifolium f. album Phragmipedium dariense Cypripedium dariense Cypripedium gracile Phragmipedium roezlii Phragmipedium longifolium var. hartwegii Phragmipedium longifolium var. gracile Phragmipedium hartwegii in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia Mexico Peru

General Information

The Long is a medium to large sized sympodial warm growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae native to Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 61-81cm. Each new growth has numerous erect leaves that grow to 61-81cm long

Flowers

Numerous long lasting blossoms appear

Care Notes

These orchids live on the forest floor, often in dead leaves or humus, yet still have the organs that would allow them to store water given unpredictable or intermittent weather conditions. They require some moisture to always be present in the soil, but not much. Water when the soil approaches dryness and don't let it dry out completely. Some growers place pots in saucers to retain water, but this may create an environment that is too wet, leading to rot.

In most areas these can be grown in the garden under trees or in sheltered locations, as long as they are reasonably protected from huge weather swings, excessive heat, and frost.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 64mm to 196mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 69% to 77%, highest in October and lowest in January. Temperature ranges from 14C to 29C, highest in March (16C to 29C) and lowest in June (14C to 27C).

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round.

Potting

These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does well mounted.