HOW TO GROW TROPICAL SLIPPER ORCHIDS

Bold spotting and striping on an eye-catching slipper orchid. They make look exotic but they're not that difficult to grow.

HOW TO GROW TROPICAL SLIPPER ORCHIDS Among the most rewarding orchids for the beginner to grow in the home are the Maudiae type Paphiopedilums (paff-ee-oh-ped-ilum). The waxy pouched flowers, mostly in shades of green, white, tan, and burgundy, are held above the foliage on tall stems, and last from four to eight weeks. Larger multi-growth plants will often bloom more than once a year, yet remain relatively compact. Our guide is applicable to most tropical paphiopedilums including multiflorals (plants that produce several blooms to spike).

WATER These plants like to be kept moist, but not wet. However, do not allow them to dry out. Test for dryness by inserting your finger about an inch into the potting medium; wait until it feels only slightly moist before watering again. Water plants thoroughly early in the day, so that the leaves are dry by nightfall. Filtered tap water, or rain water, is best. Water should be tepid, not cold. Watering schedules will vary considerably depending on light and temperature conditions. Plants may dry out rapidly in warm dry conditions, needing water every few days, or may remain moist in cooler seasons for longer periods of time. Water your plant according to its need, not your schedule.

LIGHT Most paphs are low-light plants, and like a shady spot where they receive bright indirect light. They will do fine in eastern, or shaded western or southern exposures. As a rule, do not place mottled-leafed plants in direct sunlight. Let the foliage be your guide: leaves should be medium green in color with darker well-defined patterns in the mottled leaf types. Many of the larger multifloral paphs, usually with plain green foliage, need considerably brighter light to bloom, especially during the winter months.

Mottled foliage typical of Maudiae type paphiopedilums.

TEMPERATURE AND VENTILATION Most paphs are happy with intermediate to warm temperatures from 75-80 during the day, and around 65-70 at night. A drop in temperature at night during the cooler months, may help induce buds. ‘Standard’ or 'complex' paphs enjoy temperatures about 5 degrees cooler. Make sure that there is always adequate ventilation and air circulation, particularly in the winter, or during very humid conditions, in order to avoid fungal and bacterial disease. However, do not subject plants to blasts of cold or hot air. An oscillating fan that moves air constantly at low speed is extremely beneficial.