Little Yellow Slipper

Yellow Lady Slipper orchids are a rare occurrence in Ontario outside of the Bruce Peninsula. I have valued the few plants of this species I’ve had in my care over the years. This last living plant has been with me for close to 20 years. I potted it as I moved houses. It was 5 years in a pot the last time, slowly dwindling in stature and not blooming for all that time. Two springs ago we put it back in the ground again as a single stem once we had a suitable woodland site prepared. At its peak, this one plant had more than 15 blooms due to annual infusions of compost and regular attendance on my part. The last two springs it seemed to be regaining much of its earlier strength. I kept it protected from the voracious rabbits in our yard with a wire cage. A month or so ago I noticed two bloom buds were developing. I removed the cage thinking it might impair their development. After the cottontails ate one of them, I used the cage again until the bloom was beginning to open. This single bloom seems like a huge gift after all this time. Thanks Little One.