RIP lady slipper

This experience began in the middle of November. Check the Nov and Dec archives if you didn't see its emergence and growth. In the night, the lady slipper bloom finally wilted and fell off. Here it is. Last bloom lasted only one week. This one lasted so long I stopped counting the weeks. 

ladyslipper, i bid thee farewell

The ladyslipper is not destined for much longer. We are going out of town for one week and I expect it to be done by the time we return. So, here are two final photos. 

Grand Finale: Ladyslipper 16

Stem height: 8"
Bloom width: 4"
Bloom height: 3"
Gestation: 5+ weeks
Anticipated lifespan of full bloom: +/- 1 week.

ladyslipper 15

3/4 open.

ladyslipper 14

overnight change.

lucky ladyslipper 13

more opening.

ladyslipper 12

starting to open...

ladyslipper 11

This bloom has grown for over a month.

ladyslipper 10

BIRTH OF THE LADY SLIPPER. (This is taking forever!)

ladyslipper 9

Huge: the bud is almost 2 inches long and the stem is about 5 inches tall.

ladyslipper 8

Such a long gestation. Such dramatic change. Careful observers will notice how its head has turned around.

ladyslipper 7

Beginning to rotate toward the front of the plant.

ladyslipper 6

So close I can hardly stand it.

ladyslipper 5

Larger and hairier. Someday soon, it'll pop open!

ladyslipper 4

lady slipper 3

Click on the image and you'll see how hairy it is.

lady slipper 2

Here's an "I don't have children so I document the growth of my plants" photo.
Not much bigger, though a little more open, than the last time. Too great not to post.

lady slipper photo 1

I'm an orchid lover.
This is an orchid I rescued in 2004 from someone who'd received it as a gift and had nearly killed it from neglect.
It's a lady slipper. It's a very slow grower and only blooms one purple brown slipper about every two years.
You can imagine my delight a week ago when I noticed a bud emerging out of the center.
I'll chronicle its brief life here. This is what it looks like today.