Paphiopedilum species

lady's slipper orchid

Plants of Home and Garden, Orchids

Difficult to start from seed. Divide larger specimens by pulling or cutting the leaves apart, into clumps with 3 or 4 growths. Bury the crown 1/2" deep in a smaller pot filled with fine fir bark. Very traumatic to the plant, growth usually affected for that year

These plants require humidity: water as soon as top layer of bark is dry; leave dry little longer in period immediately after flowering, when watered less often, but keep slightly moist at all times. Likes some shade i.e. east or northeast, west or northwest windows. Keep plants at 70-80F/21-27C during the day, plants with mottled leaves at 60-65F/ 15-18C at night, and green-leaved forms even cooler. Feed regularly with high-nitrogen fertilizer. Repot when fir bark shows signs of decomposing. These orchids do well in the home