True, most Cyps are found in rich well drained woodland soil. Some, including candidum and reginae are also found in fens as well as bogs. This year I put some of my C. kentuckiense seedlings in the bog to see what they would do and they at least doubled in size (I have moved some since they went dormant fearing the wet/cold of the winter bog would zap the little suckers). I also have my andrewsii in the bog and it has done well. Cypripedium candidum is a plant of wet, rich prairies and calcareous fens. Cypripedium reginae is found in thuja bogs with roots growing in alkaline soil below the sphagnum. There is some debate as to whether these are optimal conditions or simply the last habitats left for some populations of these orchids. As long as you are vigilant in tracking and controlling the ph requirements for your cyps I have found a bog to be an ideal place for them. 50/50 sand to peat is what many recommend for cyps as well as bog plants. Just have to elavate above water level and keep the roots in alkaline to neutral soil depending on species. Bottom line, you need to know the cultural requirements of what you're growing and do your best to meet them. Rose pogonia, Colopogon, Platanthera and Spiranthes require llittle to no special considerations when in a bog. Many times you can also find them cheaper than Cyps as well. Here is a place I ordered from this fall for the first time, I have not yet recieved the goods so can't vouch for them yet. http://www.wildorchidcompany.com/species_list.html Plantek also has good prices on bog orchids. Here is a link that might be useful: Plantek

Please contact me when you can regarding the Sarr. tarnok. Thank you Luis A. Valera orquidman2004@yahoo.com

I'd say use kiddie pools in the summer and depending how many and what size pots you have, you can use anything from an inch or 2 in 4" pots, to 4-6" in gallon size pots. Also, for winter weather, they usually sell the plastic water pans that catch excess water for bigger planters so you can get one or a few of those and fill it with just a cm or 2 of water for winter so they can get some moisture. I would also check out the harder, heavy duty plastic planter bases that catch water they sell at lowes and home depot that come in terra cotta, stone or light cream colors and are a few inches high to keep just enough water in the pots in winter. I did contact the woman who works at cobra plants and she told me that their sarracenia stay out in very cold weather all winter and don't flinch as long as their is some available moisture. The thing that kills plants is the drying out when everything freezes, so they may need to be covered or insulated if they are outside in winter, but as long as temps stay above 20F the plants seem to do fine as long as there is some moisture. I hope that helps.

I'm tardy to the party, but I wanted to make an input for anyone else to see this: Re: Dean Cook/Flytraps- A good 85% of my current collection is from Dean Cook, and I've NEVER had a problem with him. Patience is required, because he does have a day job, and on the website, it does state that it can take 7-10 days to process an order. I've had some difficulties with communication, but again, patience is required. They do get back to me eventually. Yes, sometimes the plants received aren't the best, but I do believe the season has alot to do with it. Since figuring out what I'm doing, I'm yet to lose anything he's sent me, and they've all grown nicely! I did lose one plant from them during shipping, and they sent me a replacement with the next order I placed. I wouldn't say they're out of the game yet, nor "gone bad". 4/5 Re: Lois Ochs/Raccoon Ridge-I found her on eBay, and purchased a Dana's Delight, Hummer Hammerhead, and 15 (received 18) lost-tag Sarracenia. The Danas, Hummer, and 16 of the rhizomes were all rotten! Talk about spotty communication, and when I finally heard back, they refused to reimburse me or send replacements because "plants are perishable". When they're received in such shoddy condition, I think the sellers should be responsible. It seems the only people that've received good things from her were physically at her nursery. Total crap, and I'll never order from her again. 0.25/5 Re: Sarracenia Northwest- This is where "you get what you pay for"- between the plants being potted and the associated shipping, it was hard on my wallet, but they are worth every penny. I guess people that don't know what they're doing are better off buying from them, but for me, it's just silly to buy anything from them that I could buy from Dean, and make flourish with a little TLC. 4.5/5 (.5 deducted for price) Re: KillerPlantShop- These guys are new on the scene, and they don't have a huge variety, but they've got great prices and quality which rivals Sarracenia Northwest. 5/5 Re: Kristi King/MKFarmsofMS- She's an individual grower with a busy life, but she ships orders within a week. I've found her prices to be very reasonable and her plants are always in very good condition. 4.5/5 Save for Lois, I've bought from everyone else atleast twice, so I have more than "one experience" to judge.