Paphiopedilum Maudiae Care

Light

• Paphiopedilum maudiaes are often grown as houseplants due to the fact that they can thrive in low-light conditions. In fact, they grow best when placed in diffused or filtered sunlight. Or, place your lady slipper orchid in a window that does not get direct sunlight, such as one that faces north. If the leaves turn pale or yellow in color, the plant is getting too much direct sunlight.

Planting Medium

• Lady slipper orchids grow best in loose, well-draining planting medium. Choose a potting mixture created specifically for orchids. Such mixtures usually contain a high amount of shredded bark, peat moss, perlite or charcoal to aid in drainage. Repot Paphiopedilum maudiae orchids every two to three years to keep the planting medium from decomposing and rotting.

Water and Fertilizer

• Water enough so the planting medium is consistently moist, but never soggy or waterlogged. These orchids are particularly susceptible to root rot and should never be left to sit in water. On average, you should need to water these plants about every seven to 10 days. Feed once a month when the orchid is actively growing with a balanced, (20-20-20) water-soluble fertilizer. Or, use a high-nitrogen fertilizer (25-9-9) once per month, all year long.

Heat

• Orchids are tropical plants. As such, they thrive in warm, humid conditions. Paphiopedilum orchids are divided into cool and warm groups. The mottled-leaf varieties enjoy nighttime temperatures of around 65 degrees F, with daytime temperatures that average between 75 and 85 degrees. Those that have solid green leaves do best with a nighttime temperature of between 50 and 60 degrees F, with daytime temperatures of around 75 degrees.

Humidity

• Lady slipper orchids must have an environment of between 50 and 80 percent humidity. To achieve this, place your potted orchid on top of a tray filled with pebbles. Then, add water to the tray. The water should cover part of the pebbles, but it should not touch the bottom of the orchid's pot, or water will wick up into the planting medium. As the water in the tray evaporates, it will provide humidity to the air immediately around the orchid.