How to Plant a Slipper Orchid Outdoors

Paphiopedilum is a botanical genus consisting of approximately 80 species of flowering plants known as lady slipper orchids. Native to India, China, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, lady slipper orchids prefer warm, humid climates and are usually grown indoors as houseplants in most of the United States. Outdoors, lady slipper orchids grow best in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 8b through 11. Follow proper planting practices to get your orchid off to a great start.

Redwood bark
Sphagnum peat moss
Cork
Volcanic rock
Charcoal
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Consider the orchid's sunlight requirements when selecting a planting location for your lady slipper orchid. Look for a site that receives at least three hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day and is shaded from the hot afternoon sun.
- 2
  Amend the soil at your planting site to improve aeration and drainage; this is essential to the long-term health of your orchid. Spread 5 inches of equal parts redwood bark, sphagnum peat moss, cork, volcanic rock and charcoal over the surface of the soil. Work the organic amendments into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil to create a coarse, well-draining growing medium for your lady slipper orchid.
- 3
  Dig a planting hole for your lady slipper orchid that is just as deep, but 2 to 3 inches wider than the nursery container that the plant came in.
- 4
  Remove your lady slipper orchid from its nursery container and place it in the center of the prepared planting hole. Use the tips of your fingers to tease out the roots of the plant and spread them evenly in the bottom of the planting hole.
- 5
  Return all of the displaced, amended soil to the planting hole and form it around the base of the orchid. Plant the lady slipper orchid so that the junction of the roots and stem are covered by no more than a 1/2 inch of soil.

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