Today, my Phragmipedium sargentianum/lindleyanum, mentioned above, dropped its last flower. It was continuously in flower since March 5; if I counted correctly, that’s 223 days in bloom. Can’t beat that.
Grown in bright west windows in Chicago winters and then sheltered outdoor courtyard from May through October, in Hausermann’s mix with pumice, perlite and some styrofoam chunks. Sits in a shallow dish of rainwater. Upgrading bark next time to orchiata because it doesn’t like to be repotted and the mix breaks down in the hot wet Chicago summers. I use a clear tall silcone storage container from Target with many holes drilled (carefully, so it doesn’t shatter).
Fed with rainwater and RO/K-lite plus 2 annual KelPak doses and CalMag twice in spring. I did water several times with tapwater from the hose this summer and noticed no ill effects, unlike I sometimes see with my anything besseae-related. It set a fat pod but I broke that spike during my move. Huge fan of this plant. Large leaves but very compact, robust and shiny growths. The flowers GLOW.