i have one trade left of dutchman's breeches and some squirrel corn if you are interested. also sending you an email.

The Cypripedium Reginae is endangered in the state of CT. (Sourced information from: http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/cypripediumregi.html) Sorry to hear that! But I am hoping if you cannot find them for trade then maybe these links will help you obtain one. I did find a place in MA that sells them mailorder. They are pretty high priced so I hope you can find someone to trade with. http://www.hillsidenursery.biz/orchids.htm#c_reginae Here is a place in VT but they are sold out of that particular species. You may be able to get your name on some sort of a waiting list for 2011 if they have such a list. http://www.vtladyslipper.com/vtlscwebpg3.html Here is another location in NY http://www.abirdshome.com/cypripedium.html I know the place where most people from here order their natives in KY has them too. But I am not sure if they are licensed to ship interstate, you can always check it out I suppose. http://shootingstarnursery.com/catalog/ I know this is not a trade, but I hope it gets you going in the right direction if a trade cannot be found! Much luck to you! I hope you can bring this beauty back to your area (at least to your house).

Well the good news is that you live in a state where they are truly native, so growing them should be no sweat. While your conditions sound fairly good for C. reginae, I would ammend the soil. Avoid using organic materials that break down quickly such as leafmold. Also avoid peatmoss since it is so highly acidic. You can use any decent woodland loam with not too much clay, supplimented with some organic material (not too much! Fen soil or wood derived mixes are OK but shouldn't contain inorganic fertilizers). These should them be mixed with any inorganic material that opens up the soil. As noted by Mainegrower the soil pH should be about neutral. There is no need to make a bog as long as the soil remains moist. Excess moisture, espcially from a stagnant water source can be problematic for these plants. The next most important issue is where you get your plants from. Wild collected salvage plants are fine, but more difficult to establish. I would suggest artificially propagated ones. There are a number of vendors these days, but I would suggest either Vermont Ladyslipper Company or Hillside Nursery as two excellent candidates. The quality of the plants you get could actually be the deciding factor in your success with these. Also check out Spangle Creek Lab's site for cultural ideas. You wouldn't believe some of the plants Bill Steele has grown from seed! As a beginner, I would not suggest you start out trying seedlings that he sells. Good luck. PF

Yes, cyps are very expensive. But they are worth every last dollar. Hello Chrissouthjersey, I think this is totally doable. One thing though... these plants really shouldn't be watered with tap water. Use bottled distilled water or rain water. Next on the list would be to consider purchasing a decent sized container that has a depth of at least 12" but preferably 18". Dig a hole and recess the planter into the ground. Don't drill any drainholes. Place about 3" of rinsed sand at the bottom. Fill up the rest with sphagnum moss. To this mixture add rain water or distilled water and mix throroughly as the sphagnum is incredibly anaerobic. The sand will settle to the bottom and this is perfectly acceptable. You will want a consistency equivalent to a thick German Cake mix batter. Add a few teaspoons of regular vinegar and kneed in with your hands OR mix in some crushed white pine needles which would be preferable. Plant your cyps. They should now be able to overwinter and should actually thrive. One thing though, most cyps have died back by now, did you get a plant that is blooming? You might want to consider planting your species of cyp according to the directions provided by Spangle Creek as opposed to what you read here somewhere here. Best wishes to you.