Quote Originally Posted by 0rch1dman View Post
It is a difficult being in the field and seeing these beauties and not collecting them. Especially when there are hundreds of them! I think that is one of the reasons that I started collecting orchids: to avoid the temptation. I would like to have a big greenhouse located in the the middle of a fen and bog! A nice rich deciduous forest adjacent to that and lots of money!
I, too, want lots of money... No, but seriously, these days there is really no excuse for collecting wild cypripediums, there are too many legitimate nurseries selling seed grown and/or nursery propagated Cyps. Although, (and correct me if I'm wrong) I believe Cypripedium kentuckiense is the only one that is considered endangered and federally protected, I still think these days wild collection is a deplorable practice...