Hey folks,

I'm getting a late start on my wild cyp chasing ths year, since I'm so much farther north. ;) My data shows blooming of Cypripedium parviflorum varieties should start to occur at several sites in northern New Jersey in the next week or so. Based on visual inspection of some plants in cultivation in the Catskills I think spring is going to be a little early this year, so I'm thinking of checking out a few sites tomorrow. Even if the plants aren't in bloom the trip will be helpful, because I can use the locations I get to quick-hike to the locations when they are in bloom, allowing me to spend less time looking and more time photographing.

Can anybody with Cypripedium parviflorum (or a variety) or Cypripedium reginae in cultivation in norther New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, or southern New York give me an update on their plants? Mine are all indoors this season, so I can't use mine as a calendar. For example, my reginae is blooming now, which is a tad early. ;)

Here in Maine, my Cyp parviflorum has just popped out of the ground. This was planted last year so I'm hoping it blooms this year!:fcrossed:

Here in Maine, my Cyp parviflorum has just popped out of the ground. This was planted last year so I'm hoping it blooms this year!:fcrossed:

Very exciting! I can't wait to see it bloom!

Location one turned up nothing. I hiked 4.5mi of trails, in rich woods, swamp edges, and around exposed limestone, but didn't locate either of the species my sources indicated were there. I may have been too early, but I suspect that the sources were from prior to trail construction, and the trails do not visit the areas where the populations were.

I did see Columbine in bloom, which was the first time I saw it in the wild.

The north eastern US has some of the most beautiful wooded forests. Have to take a trip again soon.

The north eastern US has some of the most beautiful wooded forests. Have to take a trip again soon.

I actually prefer your neck of the woods for this time of year, so much for me to photograph already, starting in February, too! I'm having a little spring withdrawal having left Alabama, as it seems to happen much faster here, and is a lot harder to keep track of. Plus, the parviflorum and acaule are earlier, and I know where to find them. ;)

You're right though, once the ferns, trees, and understory are all out, the forests up here really are gorgeous. Full of ticks and bugs, but gorgeous.