Last year, shortly after moving into my new apartment, I was taking a walk in the woods behind the complex and stumbled across a nice little population of Cypripedium acaule. Conveniently only about a 10 minute hike out. Unfortunately, this was midsummer, so they were already bloomed out for the year. But I made note of them with the intention of watching them this year. I am guessing it is a fairly new (or recovering) population because the number of very mature plants is small (I only saw a dozen or so big ones). There were a TON of little guys though. This year, I am going to watch them carefully and try to catch a timelapse of them coming up and opening. Figured I would share those images here for others to enjoy as well. I may also try to give them some help with pollination. Last year was a rough one for them. I only saw 3 seed pods, of which, 2 were destroyed by the heavy rains/floods/falling trees. Also, there were many mounds of decomposing granite/mica chips that seemed to be havens for seedlings. Quite a few of these got completely washed out (presumably along with all of the seedlings they sheltered). So, without further ado!
It's a loose pine/hardwood area. The ground is mostly decomposing granite/mica covered by leaf litter (oak, hickory, and pine).
This past week they have just started to break through!
...still attached to last years surviving pod:
...closeup of new growth with last years leaves:
Well, at least they'll have plenty of iron![Stick Out Tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Stay tuned. I am going to try for weekly updates (barring terrible weather). When the flowers start to open, I'll try and get out there every couple days.
It's a loose pine/hardwood area. The ground is mostly decomposing granite/mica covered by leaf litter (oak, hickory, and pine).
![DSC01083.jpg](https://proxy.imagearchive.com/2bd/2bd54f2b637f942725fe96e316a49b55.jpg)
This past week they have just started to break through!
![DSC01717.jpg](https://proxy.imagearchive.com/70f/70f60046e19ec16642638d9ee0249e7d.jpg)
...still attached to last years surviving pod:
![DSC01738.jpg](https://proxy.imagearchive.com/808/8085ddf218c4745f9704ad5f3afb1c6e.jpg)
...closeup of new growth with last years leaves:
![DSC01724.jpg](https://proxy.imagearchive.com/bf6/bf620a878a7303899f7534e2a08a35c0.jpg)
Well, at least they'll have plenty of iron
![DSC01094.jpg](https://proxy.imagearchive.com/49f/49f8455815f1a3d78fc17d40c3841600.jpg)
Stay tuned. I am going to try for weekly updates (barring terrible weather). When the flowers start to open, I'll try and get out there every couple days.