This is a species that is still extremely common in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine but has lost most of its habitat in other areas. I have seen areas in New Hampshire in which 1000s of plants are together over a couple of acres. In Connecticut where I live it is essentially extirpated - there is an account in early 20th century of one supplier in the Boston area who collected more than 3000 flowers per day during the blooming season to supply the florist trade. This particular plant, photographed in June, 2004 (everything bloomed a couple of weeks early last year) is 7 years of age and lives in my garden with several of its siblings. The pink is nicely pronounced (this plant receives a lot of direct sunlight so the pink is less intense than if it had grown in the shade - most clones are nearly bleached in the sun so this one has outstanding color). Thus I have been using it for propagation and crosses. Its flowers are the mothers and fathers (not selfed) of several thousand seedlings that fill my basement and a cold frame near the main orchid garden. I will post a photo of a plant growing in more shady conditions for comparison. Cypripedium reginae is the latest-blooming Cypripedium. All of my other plants are blooming when these are just coming out of the ground and the others have pods beginning to mature at the time these are beginning to bloom.

For those considering a first Cypripedium - this is the one. It tolerates a fair amount of sun, it does well in shade and it is pH tolerant to an extreme. It is amazing how dry these specimens get during a hot August in the sun and they dont complain. Plants will be three feet tall in the shade, a bit less than two feet tall in sunnier conditions, will usually have one flower per stalk in the shade and almost always two flowers per stalk in the sun.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/fundulopanchax/Cypripedium/Cypripediumreginae17June2004.jpg

Ron Burch
fundulopanchax
Wilton CT

Very pretty! They remind me of Phrag schlimii and Cardinale flowers.

Ron
Its good to see native Cyp photos on this site, and your reginae look great. They are fairly rare this far south. We mostly see acule and parviflorum down here, and neither are common in middle TN. I planted a pubescens in the yard this fall, but nothing is showing yet.

Does your handle imply you are into killies too?

I also have family in CT. How close are you to Milford?

Cool! They remind me of schlimii and fischerii and vietnamense also. I guess I am now thinking, maybe when I own a house and some land, it might be fun to venture into these as well. I'd never thought of it before! Always thought it was beyond reach - too tough, but heck, I grow tropicals in New England, why couldn't I grow North Americans in NE? :roll:

Something to think and learn about, anyway!

I will have to show your photos to my mother, who is responsible for putting the fear of god into me over even touching Cyps! (and souffles, actually!)

Just beautiful! Keep the cyps coming!

Note the more intense pink compared to the plant grown in the sun.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/fundulopanchax/Cypripedium/Creginae31May2004.jpg

Ron Burch
fundulopanchax
Wilton CT

Wow!!
I would love to see photographs of these in situ in your growing area sometime. Must be quite the sight!

That pouch in the second photo reminds me so much of a Phrag Cardinale pouch.

You need to stop...this is going to cost me more money! :shock: I really like this one!

No no! Don't stop! This is GREAT! (I can say that, I've no money left!) :lol:

I agree Peter, reminds me of your Cardinale as well. Such a vibrant pink color!

I'm also broke but we can sure oogle and oogle! :lol: Love your Cyps, Ron! Please keep posting all that eye candy.

These natives look great Ron :-dance:

I'm ready to toss these stupid asian slippers OUT!!!

GIVE US MORE!!!