We Cypripedium growers have very low winter heating bills! The two cold frames in the photo each have 120 6" pots of sleeping seedlings. The snow came early so the covers are still on. After the photo was made the covers were removed so that the seedlings do not dry out over the winter. They are now sleeping under six inches of leaves and so far anywhere from about 4 - 10 inches of snow.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/fundulopanchax/Cypripedium/CypSeasonsGreetings2005.jpg

Wishing everyone a great holiday season and for those who grow Paph's and Phrag's, a reasonably warm winter. For those who grow Cyp's, may the snow be deep and constant!

Ron Burch
Wilton CT

What a great post, Ron! Nice wreath!!
Cyp. growers - not a breed apart - as nutty as the rest of us slipper freaks. :D

Love that!!! Wishing you a quick spring, Ron and fellow Cypies!

That's a great post Ron.

Merry Christmas

That's awesome Ron :clap:

Well Ron, things look a tad cooler in your backyard than mine. Still, it has been quite the "cool" week here complete with snow and below freezing temperatures. I'm not worried about the Cyps, but I do fear for my epiphytic orchids and tree ferns!

What a spring this should be for you with all those new babies to care for. Now, if you can only wait another four of five years for them to bloom... :lol:

Merry Christmas!

Tom

...and may you and all your cyps enjoy a wonderful 2006!

I am defintiely researching cyps all winter. I have to start landscaping my yard in the spring. :) Happy Holidays to all!

Thanks, Ron and Happy Holidays right back at ya! The snow on my Cyps is nice and deep, too. It's been several years it seems since we've had significant snow by this time of year. I don't enjoy shoveling it, but I tell myself how well it's insulating my orchids and other woodland beauties and it makes it more acceptable. 8)

wow your energy bill is alot lower than mine :clap:

Lovely picture and nice way of growing our seedling Ron.
I envy the snow I love skining but not biking in snow so maybe I am ok without :)

The best of times to all of You.
from south Sweden with 1 mm of snow and 0-5C in my thermoboxes.

Joakim

Merry Christmas to you Ron....You can't keep any killies in there

Happy Holidays! :D

Lovely Ron, and a Merry Christmas to you too

Lovely photo Ron....but you keep the snow !
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all !