Lady Slippers in bloom!

more...

more...

I counted up to 88, then stopped...

It's not the best pic in the world...but this is one area...out of several acres! Just to give you the scale of how many LSO colonies there are.

Wow is right! I would have loved to start some in my wooded area, but as I read, I realize why they're not in my woods naturally - there aren't any high, well drained areas. It's almost entirely wetlands, and part of it is federally designated as such. I guess I'll have to work on finding natives that do well in vernal wetlands, since it dries out come August. Alas, I can't have them, but I am enjoying the pictures!

Beautiful, Thom.

Loved seeing all those LS growing happily together. How I wish I could be surprised to find some growing here!

I hope this loads. I have been having a problem loading pictures...one pic was going on almost a full hour, and still hadn't loaded, while 3 in a row loaded in under 30 seconds? I am resizing the pics to "webpage" sized, but am still having a problem with a few select ones? Keep in mind, I am way more plant savvy than I am computer savvy!

This pic, to give an idea of why I collected when I did, is to show the destruction in the name of sports. I am not arguing either side, but I am sure I could. Where I am standing in the picture, there is about 15' until a small group of birches, then about 3' in front of them, an access road that is about 1 mile to the right of the pic, and about 2 miles to the left. On the other side of the road is where the clearing is/was. From the access road to the tree line (at the far side of the pic) is a good 10 minute walk for me, I would have to guess about 1/2 mile, maybe 3/4 of a mile...so, maybe a 15 minute walk! The machines are just now getting there to do some leveling of the area. This project has been on going for years now; I believe the grounds are slated to be ready by 2011, or 2012.

I hope this image posts...this is one of several rock formations that I had to climb up to get to some of the LS colonies.

This is a new tool I learned my camera had, hope I didn't do to shabby of a job!

This is the last one, I promise:

This is a group of them, on the way up of that rock formation...the path I took is to the far right...

I get what you're putting out there. Every town has the same types of construction projects. Won't get political either!

Loved your pictures and hope the LS aren't going to be threatened.

Maureen and Tommy:

The Paph I have that looks very much like both of yours is (from the tag)

(Paph. Supersuk "Eureka" AM/AOS xPaph. Raisin Pie "Hsinying") x Sib

Sorry, no picture to compare!

This message was edited Jun 3, 2008 4:40 PM

Mamasita,
Yours is the same plant as mine. I've had mine 4 years now.

This message was edited Jun 3, 2008 5:53 PM

Same here, Tommy! I bought mine 1/9/04 at Lowe's (Po'k). I try to date on the tag when and where the plant was purchased. - Lynn

i'm so glad you saved those colonies and have good luck with them.. It's so special to walk in the woods and come across them out of no where. I think they look their best in their natural habitat. I hate "progress". You're pictures are wonderful, but made me sad too.

I have been growing the yellow Ladyslipper orchid for 28 years in a spot in my garden that gets sun in the morning and is 1' to the East of a set of very old cement steps. Although I have recently shared the offshoots with friends, they still multiply slowly. I am interested in knowing how to propagate from seed. They produce about 6 pods per year, but I don't know if they are fertile. If anyone has experience with growing from seed I will share 1-2 seed pods with them. in exchange I would ask for a few plants when they sprout.
Many years ago, before they were declared endangered, I received a few of the Pink Ladyslippers from a nursery that is no longer in existance. They failed in a few months even though I followed the advice of ECO gardens and planted then in the duff above the rotting pine soil mulch. I think that each of these 2( the yellow and the pink varities) need different conditions. especially soil containing the microrhiza that exist in that soil. I can supply some of the soil from the site where the yellow one grows( a little, maybe a few quarts). Is anyone interested in my offer?

There are professional propagators and labs that propagate. I can't imagine being able to do it at home, although there are tools and techniques over the internet. There was a thread on the topic in Orchids Forum. I have biology degrees and an operating room background, still there is specialized equipment and orchid propagating involves years of growing before there is a viable plant...let alone a blooming one. Plants are usually grown on agar and seedlings are moved up to slant flasks as they progress. Most orchid propagation takes a sterile lab set up. I have done later phases that involve unflasking very young seedlings. They are still very vulnerable to molds at this point and need a "step down" clean environment (near sterile).

If you have a seed pod/s that you would like to propagate, then I'd recommend that you look for a reputable propagator online. I'm assuming they still exist. They flask your seed and will maintain it until it is ready to be unflasked. It's been many years since I've done this and can't recommend a lab. Tag your pods with something like surveyor tape. Write dates and as much info (such as location, etc) to have a record. Good luck

Laurel

Laurel