Amazing photos, Jim, in more ways than one. For instance, I know the Galeorchis as a plant of deep, shady woodlands - yet your photo suggests that you have it out in bright light. I have not heard of any local successes with Cypripedium reginae in this area, although some local gardeners are growing the Frosch hybrids. It may just be a matter of time and experimentation. Cypripedium reginae once grew wild in this state (and is said to persist in at least one location in nearby Virginia). One success for me has been Cypripedium japonicum: this one thrives here.
Is the last one Cypripedium macranthum or something else? Your combination of high summer temperatures and low relative humidity, rather than being a hindrance, is probably to your advantage (look at the results you are getting!). I recently learned that growers in Victoria, Australia (5% relative humidity and temperatures over 140 degrees F on rare summer occasions) are able to grow martagon lilies. They are a struggle for us here in zone 7 Maryland, and we usually blame our hot summers. But although we rarely reach 100 degrees F, we routinely have very high summer humidity. Under our summer conditions, many plants seem to enter a sort of suspended animation (or non-animation): they are there but they are not doing anything. The high humidity probably complicates respiration for them. They don't do well. Maybe I should move to Idaho! Jim McKenney
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