Tropical Lady's Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum) thrive in bright but indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal, but plants can also grow well in a south- or west-facing window if shaded somewhat by neighboring plants or a sheer curtain. Lady's Slippers need warm temperatures (70–80oF) during the day and cool temperatures (60–65oF) at night to set their flower buds. They also prefer a high relative humidity—upwards of 50%. During the winter, when the furnace dries indoor air, raise the humidity around your plant. The best way to do this is to run a humidifier nearby. (It's also better for your skin than the desert-like conditions typical in most homes in the winter.) You can also set plants in trays filled with pebbles or gravel. Add water to a level just below the tops of the pebbles (if the potting mix in the pots comes in contact with the water, the mix will draw water into the pot, which will cause the mix to become saturated, eventually leading to rot). Refill trays frequently to replace water lost through evaporation. (Our Humiditrays perform the same function without the need for pebbles.)
Do not mist your Orchid. Misting may cause the growing point, where new leaves are produced, to rot.
Fertilizer: For optimum growth and flowering, fertilize with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20) mixed at 1/4-strength every other week in fall and winter, weekly in spring and summer. Blooms on the Lady's Slipper sold during the holidays generally appear in late winter, and it's quite common for plants to put on a repeat performance in summer. Remove flower stems just above the foliage when the blooms fade, and carefully cut away old leaves after they turn brown.
Repotting: Repot your Orchid every year in spring. Remove the plant from the pot and gently shake the old potting mix from the roots. If you find dead, brown roots, cut them off with a sharp knife. Repot into the same container or one that is just slightly larger than the previous one, using a fast draining but water-retentive potting mix designed especially for Orchids. Hold the stem in the center of the pot and fill the pot with premoistened potting mix, pressing it firmly around the roots with your fingers. The lowest leaf should just touch the surface of the potting mix. Water thoroughly after potting. Do not fertilize your Orchid for at least 2 weeks after repotting, to allow the plant sufficient time to become settled.
