Hi all, first of all i had no idea that such a forum site existed...what a great idea...!

I am going to the black forest in germany next year on holiday and would love to see some of the big colonies of ladies slipper which are supposed to occur in that area. Has anyone been to sites in the black forest and seen this beauty?

any info you can come up with would be gratefully received.

all the very best

Dave

Hi Dave. Welcome to the slipper forum and you have come to right place for sure!

:welcomesof: Dave! Sounds like a neat trip to look forward to! Help is on the way!

Hi There Dave!! :welcome:
You should fit right in with us!

Hi Dave! :welcome:Welcome to the forum!

Ramon:D

Hi Dave,
Many of the large sites in the Blackforest are under 24hr guard. There may be a list somewhere on their National Forestry website, or the like.

If you want more info, you'll probably have to talk to a German Cyp nut, of which there are many. If no members here can help, you can always email contributors on Cypripedium.de/forum for help. Don't be surprized if the are reluctant to help at first since, as I mentioned, the sites are protected. However, once you get to know them and start discussing Cyps on a personal level, I'm sure most members would be more than willing to help.

Best,
Ross

Hi Ross, many thanks indeed for that......it is extremly understandable about guarding these fabulous plants. In the UK the last ladies slipper growing wild (or maybe semi wild) was dug up a few years ago. Like many people i know of the site where it grew but i always felt i shouldn't go to it because of its fragile nature. I thought it better to go somewhere where the colonies of the plant were bigger and perhaps less fragile. I work in wildife conservation myself, have done for 20 years and i am so aware of how quickly the status and safety of many of our plants and animals can change for the worst.

Is the link you sent an active link to the german cyp forum?

all the very best Dave

Welcome. I am just starting with cyps and hope to get to the point where I can grow them out in an area I am naturalizing on my property in Idaho.

I would highly suggest you establish your presence and credibility over the next few months prior to your visit. If you currently have cyps (or even other types of orchids) in your collection then talk about them and how you are caring for them. SLOWLY introduce your interest in seeing orchids in nature and a desire to photograph them. Maybe even mention your dismay at the last site in the UK being raped of its plants.

Once you are a part of the community then request someone share the site. Even better would be to see if they would meet you there, sort of like an escort.

Good luck and good viewing.

Hi Ross, many thanks indeed for that......it is extremly understandable about guarding these fabulous plants. In the UK the last ladies slipper growing wild (or maybe semi wild) was dug up a few years ago. Like many people i know of the site where it grew but i always felt i shouldn't go to it because of its fragile nature. I thought it better to go somewhere where the colonies of the plant were bigger and perhaps less fragile. I work in wildife conservation myself, have done for 20 years and i am so aware of how quickly the status and safety of many of our plants and animals can change for the worst.

Is the link you sent an active link to the german cyp forum?

all the very best Dave

I think it was on the show THE ORCHID HUNTER or OBSESSION WITH ORCHIDS that they mentioned that Britain was reintroducing Cyps in the wild because they are now almost instinct in Great Britain. So, there is still hope!