How To

How to Grow Paphiopedilum

Contributor
By Pamela Gardapee
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)
Grow Paphiopedilum
Grow Paphiopedilum

Learn how to grow Paphiopedilum indoors so that you have a beautiful flowering orchid all year long. The Paphiopedilum, also known as the Slipper Orchid, grows in the wilds of India, but can be grown anywhere indoors as long as it has the right care. The new growth of the orchid will display at least one flower or more. The flowers can last as long as six weeks filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Clear pot Soil Orchid fertilizer
  1. Step 1

    Prepare the soil with one part Perlite and four parts fir bark. Add water to the bark to moisten it before you add the Perlite.

  2. Step 2

    Use a clear pot with a drainage tray underneath. Place the soil mixture in the pot about half way.

  3. Step 3

    Place the slipper orchid into the soil and cover with the remaining mixture. Do not pat down tightly.

  4. Step 4

    Refrain from watering too much until you see the plant thriving. You should place the orchid in an area with low light until it starts to show signs of new growth.

  5. Step 5

    Move the orchid to an area with indirect sunlight after the plants shows signs of new growth. Water as needed, but do not keep the soil wet. It should be damp with water in the drain tray for humidity.

  6. Step 6

    Use the orchid fertilizer one a month, but cut the directions in half. If the directions tell you to use one tbsp of fertilizer, make it 1/2 tbsp instead.

  7. Step 7

    Flush the roots about every two months. Instead of fertilizing one month, run water through the soil in a sink so that the salt deposits from the fertilizer are washed out of the soil. The salt build up will rot the roots.

  8. Step 8

    Keep the night temperatures at about 55 degrees and daytime temperatures of about 70 to 80 degrees.

Tips & Warnings
  • Check the roots through the clear pot to make sure they are healthy and not rotting.

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